25th General assembly Màlaga
On 19th and 20th September 2024, EBIA members gathered in Malaga for the 25th edition of the General assembly.
Among the speakers were Giulia Taveggia (CSIL) who presented the figures of the world mattress industry with a focus on Europe, then Robert Polding (IE University) and Thierry Moubax (AI Compass) talked about AI, challenges and opportunities and the way AI can transform the industry.
After the gala dinner at Picasso museum, the following day of meeting introduced to the audience Diederik Samson for a presentation related to sustainability and eco-design. The round-table to which he also participated along with Emile Coene (Deceuninck) and Janneke Leenaars (Interface) focused on eco-design in the bedding industry.
General Assembly 2021
After 13 years of dedicated service to EBIA, the European Bedding Industry Association, Mr Frank Verschuere, managing director at LS Bedding, retired as President on the occasion of the 22nd EBIA General Assembly held online on 23rd September 2021.
Mr Verschuere, who was nominated EBIA president in 2005 during the EBIA GA in Amsterdam, held the position for a total of 13 years (from 2005 to 2015 and from 2018 to 2021). “Being there at the creation of EBIA and having served as president for 13 years has been a privilege and I am proud of the achievements accomplished during all these years.”
On the proposal of the EBIA Board, the General Assembly of EBIA took the unanimous decision to nominate Mr Geert Geerkens as the new EBIA President.
Mr Geert Geerkens, director Sales and Marketing at the Belgian company Veldeman Group, states “I look forward to working with EBIA Board and all our members to ensure EBIA continues to support the bedding industry in all its activities.
I fully believe in the European co-operation and am convinced that working closer together will lead to stronger results. EBIA must continue representing the bedding industries in Europe with one voice and we will work together to prepare the industry to thrive in the green and digital transition.”
EBIA’s Managing Director, Frederik Lauwaert, welcomes the Board’s decision and looks forward to a fruitful collaboration:
“We are excited to be working with Geert Geerkens as our new President. He has deep knowledge of the sector and has also the experience of working with trade association in Belgium. He will lead the association in these times to make the voice of the sector heard in Brussels.”
“I would also like to warmly thank Frank for his invaluable contribution to EBIA in the past years. He has been a real driving force in the organisation, relentlessly promoting the interest of the bedding manufacturers and helping the sector to achieve significant successes.”
Contact:
EBIA
Frederik Lauwaert – Managing director frederik.lauwaert@europeanbedding.eu
Aurélie Bunneghem – Executive and communication assistant info@europeanbedding.eu
