The EFQM Sustainable Performance Conference and Global Award Gala 2025
Wednesday 15 and Thursday 16 October 2025 – Tarraco Arena, Tarragona, Spain
PROGRAMME
EFQM
OCTOBER
2025
PROGRAMME DAY 1
Wednesday 15 October
10:30 – 12:30
Cocktail Morning Reception
Wuliangye would like to invite you to a Cocktail Morning Reception, which will precede The EFQM Sustainable Performance Conference and Global Award Gala 2025 and will be held at the Hotel SB Ciutat de Tarragona. Guided by EFQM as well as the China Association for Quality, this event will be presented by Wuliangye, a leading Chinese baijiu/spirit company. Themed as “Brewing Excellence-A Dialogue between Terroir and Sustainability”, this event will offer a unique opportunity to explore the resonance between the revered European concept of “Terroir”, representing a deep respect for nature, tradition and quality, with Wuliangye’s corporate philosophy of “He Mei”, meaning “perfect Harmony”.
This is an invitation-only event with limited capacity. To confirm your attendance, please contact us at isabellawei9311@gmail.com to secure your place.
13:30 – 14:00
Registration – Learning and Discovery Sessions
The three parallel sessions will take place at Casa Joan Miret (Rambla Nova, 36). Registrations will start at 13:30, and the first round of sessions will begin at 14:00.
14:00 – 17:00
Learning and Discovery Sessions
Participants will choose from three parallel sessions, each of which will run twice:-
EFQM Assessor Masterclass
This dynamic masterclass brings together both EFQM assessors and applicants to deepen their understanding of the assessment process and the evolving role of the assessors. Participants will explore practical insights into effective assessments and share experiences. The session will also look ahead to the future of assessments, highlighting emerging trends, innovative approaches, and how EFQM assessments continue to create value for organisations in a rapidly changing world.
Future of Training and the EFQM Assessor and Improve training tracks
This interactive session explores how training is evolving to meet the needs of organisations in transformation. Participants will reflect on future trends in learning and capability building, and how these can accelerate organisational success. The session also offers a discovery of the EFQM Business Transformation Leader courses, providing insight into how these programmes equip leaders with the skills, mindset, and tools to drive sustainable transformation and deliver lasting impact.
Emerging trends and the EFQM Business Transformation Toolkit
This forward-looking session explores the key trends shaping organisations today and how they impact sustainable performance improvement. Participants will discover how the EFQM Business Transformation Toolkit — with courses on Sustainability, Process Optimisation, Change Management, and Benchmarking — provides practical guidance and powerful insights to respond to these challenges. The session highlights how organisations and individuals alike can leverage the toolkit to drive meaningful transformation, embed resilience, and achieve long-term success.
19:00 – 21:00
Welcome Cocktail
It will take place at the H10 Imperial Tarraco Hotel (Rambla Vella, 2). The EFQM staff will be at the entrance to welcome and guide you.
Join us for an excellent opportunity to network and connect with other delegates before the conference day. Enjoy drinks and canapés on the dazzling rooftop at Caelum Rooftop Bar, which boasts stunning views of the sea and Tarragona’s historic centre, including the Roman amphitheatre and the Cathedral.
Get ready for an unforgettable experience at one of the most striking venues in Europe — the legendary Tarraco Arena in Tarragona, Spain!
Once a historic bullring, now a modern architectural marvel, the Tarraco Arena offers the perfect fusion of heritage and innovation.
PROGRAMME DAY 2
Thursday 16 October
08:30 – 9:30
Registrations and networking
09:30 – 09:45
Opening and Welcome
09:45 – 10:45
KEYNOTE SPEAKER: ‘AI with Purpose: How to Lead the Technological Revolution with Ethics’
Anna Cejudo – Entrepreneur and Communicator
Anna Cejudo inspires and connects through her real-life experience as an entrepreneur, mother, and tech leader. In her talks, she addresses the transformative impact of artificial intelligence on society, the importance of ethical and responsible AI training, and how companies and individuals can harness this technological revolution to reinvent themselves. With a close and practical style, Anna shares how to combine purpose, innovation, and humanity in a fast-paced world, leaving audiences with concrete ideas and motivation to act.
10:45 – 11:15
Coffee break
11:15 – 12:00
Sustainability Panel Debate (featuring EGA 2025 applicants):
In this session, the audience will hear from some of the world’s best-performing organisations as they share their journeys with the EFQM Model. These leading organisations will reflect on why they embraced the model, the key challenges they faced, and the critical insights gained through the assessment process. The session will showcase the tangible benefits achieved and highlight best practices that have driven excellence. Particular focus will be given to role model achievements in sustainability, offering valuable inspiration for organisations committed to long-term impact and continuous improvement.
12:00 – 12:40
‘KEYNOTE SPEAKER: ‘The Future of Work – AI’s impact on your organisation.’
Ken Shaw – Chief Technology Officer, EFQM
No discussion of leadership, innovation and performance can happen in 2025 without AI being central. AI is reshaping the global workforce more rapidly and profoundly than anything that has come before. Hear from one of the world’s leading AI gurus how AI will shape the future of work, what organisations need to do and how you as leaders and managers can stay ahead of the curve.
12:40 – 13:15
‘The Era of EFQM Sapience – AI transforming sustainable performance improvement.’
Ken Shaw, CTO and Russell Longmuir, CEO, EFQM
EFQM – 2030 Vision – How EFQM’s AI and business intelligence platform – Sapience – will build organisations for the future.
13:15 – 14:15
LUNCH
14:15 – 14:45
KEYNOTE SPEAKER: ‘Journey Ahead of the Curve: Partnering for Innovation, Inspiring Excellence, Transforming the Future’
Dr Wee Loon Ng – Micron Technology
Dr Wee Loon Ng is Micron’s Senior Director of Assembly & Test Central Quality.
He is a certified EFQM assessor and was the lead assessor for Internal Micron Quality Award for Global Assembly & Test Sites.
14:45 – 15:15
EFQM in Education – The EFQM Hamdan Model
What happens when world-class education meets a world-class performance improvement framework? In this session, you’ll hear first-hand from one of the top performers of the EFQM Hamdan Award, who will share their journey of transformation—how they applied the model to drive real impact for learners, educators, and their wider community.
15:15 -15:45
Performance & Transformation Panel Debate (featuring EGA 2025 applicants):
In this session, the audience will hear from some of the world’s best-performing organisations as they share their journeys with the EFQM Model. These leading organisations will reflect on why they embraced the model, the key challenges they faced, and the critical insights gained through the assessment process. The session will showcase the tangible benefits achieved and highlight best practices that have driven excellence. Particular focus will be given to role model achievements in performance & transformation, offering valuable inspiration for organisations committed to long-term impact and continuous improvement.
15:45 -16:15
Leadership & Culture Panel Debate (featuring EGA 2025 applicants):
In this session, the audience will hear from some of the world’s best-performing organisations as they share their journeys with the EFQM Model. These leading organisations will reflect on why they embraced the model, the key challenges they faced, and the critical insights gained through the assessment process. The session will showcase the tangible benefits achieved and highlight best practices that have driven excellence. Particular focus will be given to role model achievements in Leadership and Culture, offering valuable inspiration for organisations committed to long-term impact and continuous improvement.
16:15
Closing
19:15 – 23:00
GALA DINNER
EFQM
OCTOBER
2025
Join us for a celebration of global sustainable performance in one of Spain’s most extraordinary venues, the Tarraco Arena. This is where heritage meets elegance, and the EFQM Global Award Gala Dinner this year promises to be an unforgettable experience. Enjoy a grand evening under the soaring dome of this world-class architectural landmark, surrounded by distinguished leaders, visionaries, and innovators. The atmosphere will be filled with celebration, inspiration, and international prestige.
SPONSORS
PLATINUM SPONSORS
GOLD SPONSORS
Travelling to Tarragona
COSTA DAURADA & TERRES DE L’EBRE
Tarragona is well-connected and easy to reach by air, rail, and road. The nearest major airport is Barcelona-El Prat Airport (BCN), located approximately 80 km away. From Barcelona, you can travel to Tarragona in several ways:
• Train: High-speed AVE trains (35 minutes, approx. €20-€35) or regional trains (1 hour, approx. €8-€15) depart from Barcelona Sants Station.
• Bus: Direct buses run frequently from Barcelona Airport and the city center, taking around 1.5 hours and costing approximately €15-€20.
• Taxi/Private Transfer: A taxi from Barcelona to Tarragona takes approximately 1 hour, with fares ranging from €140-€180, depending on traffic and time of travel. Pre-booked private transfers are also available.
Alternatively, Reus Airport (REU) is just 15 km away, with taxis (approx. €30-€40) and local buses (approx. €3-€5) providing quick access to Tarragona.
The Costa Daurada and the Terres de l’Ebre are the two main tourist destinations in the province of Tarragona. The Costa Daurada is known for its fine, golden sandy beaches, while the Terres de l’Ebre offer a diverse landscape, ranging from the Ebro Delta to the mountains of the Ports Natural Park. Both regions provide a wide variety of activities and experiences, including a rich monumental and cultural heritage, as well as a gastronomy that invites you to savour dishes rooted in unique traditions, paired with wines bearing a Designation of Origin.
We invite you to visit us: Costa Daurada and Terres de l’Ebre.
