Florence, Past and Present

Just like for the Italian language, Florence represents the origins for Bocconi alumni. The Florentine area was one of the first groups established in Italy, area leader Gianfranco Ghilardi remembers, who has led the group for approximately 14 years. The group includes about 80 people not only in Florence, but also in other parts of Tuscany. "Our events almost always revolve around dinners with guest speakers, based on the dinner speeches," says the area leader. "And, following recent trends, over the last year we have organized various events in the area of developing personal and professional skills." In particular, part of seminar series with Claudio Ceper was held here, on career planning and job interviews.

There are also events on leadership and management of team projects. In addition, an appointment set in May focused on the past, specifically the Renaissance and changes in economic cycles, to better understand the present. And right now is when summer events will take place, such as the sensory dinner on 9 July at Castello di Montegufoni, the same location where a team cooking event will be held in September. The group is very active and can also be proud of another very positive aspect, says Ghilardi: "Anyone who enters the orbit of the Bocconi Alumni Association in Florence doesn't leave it even if they leave the city. We have noticed with pleasure that people who move away still stay in the association." It's more proof that the Italian language is not the only thing that originated and has been developed in Florence.