La Cooperativa recuperó su gran encuentro con socios, socias y profesionales, que no se celebraba desde 2019, bajo el lema “Peza a peza formamos AIRA”.
AIRA celebró en su sede central de Taboada una de las jornadas más importantes de su historia reciente. Cerca de 1.400 personas, entre socios, socias, trabajadores y trabajadoras, participaron en un gran encuentro concebido para reforzar los vínculos, reconocer el esfuerzo colectivo y poner en valor el sentimiento de pertenencia a la Cooperativa.
Under the slogan “Piece by piece, we build AIRA”, the event represented the essence of a project built on bringing together people with different experiences, responsibilities, and skills who share the same vision for the future.
The gathering also had a particularly symbolic significance. AIRA brought back an event with its members that had not been held since 2019 and, for the first time, brought together at its headquarters in Taboada the main protagonists of the cooperative project: its membership base and the more than 300 professionals who work for the organisation.
A cooperative project built by everyone
Every person who is part of AIRA plays an essential role. This was the central idea of a gathering that sought to highlight the interdependence between the different areas of the Cooperative and the importance of moving forward together towards common goals.
During the official opening, AIRA’s president, José Ramón Ratón, highlighted that the chosen slogan sums up the essence and history of the organisation:
“AIRA did not emerge overnight, nor did it get where it is today by chance. Throughout its history, it has grown because it has known how to bring together people, efforts, projects, and enthusiasm. Ultimately, that is the essence of a cooperative: different people, different responsibilities, and one shared project.”
The event was attended by the Xunta de Galicia’s Regional Minister for Rural Affairs, María José Gómez, as well as other authorities, including the mayor of Taboada, Roi Rigueira.
Their presence marked a celebration in which people were the true protagonists and their contribution to AIRA’s growth and consolidation as a cooperative project was recognised.
III AIRA Employee Gathering
The programme began in the morning with the III Employee Gathering, attended by a large number of the more than 300 professionals who make up the Cooperative.
Through videos featuring the employees themselves, participatory activities, and various team-building exercises, the work carried out by each department was highlighted.
The aim was to show that AIRA’s operations depend on coordination across all its areas and that every task, regardless of where it is carried out, contributes to the collective result.
AIRA’s general managers, Jesús Bardelás and Javier Barandela, were responsible for opening and closing this part of the event. During their remarks, they thanked the Cooperative’s team for their commitment, professionalism, and dedication.
Un gran puzle como símbolo de la identidad de AIRA
One of the most representative moments of the gathering was the creation of a large collective puzzle.
The employees added the different pieces until the image was almost complete. However, the centre was reserved for the pieces corresponding to AIRA’s members, symbolising their role at the heart of the cooperative project.
Representatives from AIRA’s different branches then placed the final pieces, completing the image.
The activity provided a visual representation of an idea that defines the Cooperative: AIRA is built by everyone. Each person contributes knowledge, dedication, and experience, but it is the combination of all these contributions that gives meaning and strength to the whole.
The reunion with AIRA’s members
Following the III Employee Gathering, AIRA’s members joined the event, giving way to a programme of activities that culminated in a fellowship lunch.
This reunion provided an opportunity to share experiences, strengthen relationships, and reclaim a shared space that is especially important for an organization based on participation and collaboration.
The event was also an opportunity to recognize the daily work of livestock farms, professionals, technical teams, branches, and all the people who contribute to the development of the Cooperative and Galicia’s agri-food sector.
“Piece by piece, we build AIRA”
With this major gathering in Taboada, AIRA reaffirms its commitment to continuing to strengthen the relationships among all the people who are part of the Cooperative.
Proximity, commitment, collaboration, and a sense of belonging are essential values for continuing to build a shared project, ready to face the challenges of the sector without losing its identity.
Because every responsibility matters, every effort counts, and every person is essential.
Piece by piece, we build AIRA.
