Dear Director,
a few days after Taste the Difference 2024, I would like to address my friends and members of AIRO to thank everyone for the affection and warmth that was transmitted to me, on an important day, when the start of my career was announced presidency.
I received many hugs, many caresses and many sincere smiles, and this is worth more to me than anything else, in a world, that of extra virgin olive oil, where solidarity and the desire to work as a team are often lacking, and where too often individualism and personal interests are perceived. When Filippo Falugiani, now 12 years ago, proposed to me to found AIRO, it was a big gamble for me, I was very torn between the need to want to make my contribution to this sector, where despite myself I was born and raised, and the risk of being “crushed” by a surname that is too heavy for me.
The desire to try prevailed, driven not only by Filippo’s enthusiasm, but also by the positivity of many people who over the years have made me even more passionate about this product. These people are all those who, in different ways, have contributed to AIRO so that it can grow and develop, first of all Elisa Corneli, responsible for the entire educational part.
One of the characteristics that distinguishes our association is that of listening to its members and collaborators to try to perceive needs and requirements and improve our training offer and services for members; in recent years I have understood that there is still a lot of excitement around oil and it is important for us to be one of the many points of reference for those who work in this sector. With my new role I will try to continue listening to suggestions, advice, needs and even criticism, which, when constructive, serves to keep our guard up and never stop. Thanks also to the help of vice president Andrea Perini, and the constant contribution of Filippo, in his new role as director, we will try to involve catering even more in our projects, always putting oil at the center of new and original experiences. New collaborations and new activities are also planned, aimed at giving a further boost to the Association and valorising the many people trained in these ten years and perhaps we will finally also be able to give space to the word “international” which is an integral part of our name.
Last but not least, we will try to support oil producers even more decisively, a category that is very close to my heart as I myself am part of it, who have been suffering particularly in recent years, offering ideas for relaunching, options to complement that of production and sales oil, personalized consultancy, assistance in sales to restaurants; because olive production is a heritage that cannot be lost.
Finally, I greet you, hoping that each of you feels part of AIRO and wants to share ideas and passion, because the strength of this association lies precisely in bringing together apparently distant subjects under the same roof, but which can improve and integrate each other.
Good job everyone,
Marta Mugelli
