Speakers

  • São Miguel - Azores
  • OTC 30th - NOV 2nd

FLORES

Speakers

& moderators

The Azores Tourism Summit is attended by regional, national and foreign experts, from different professional areas, who will address different themes, share knowledge and experiences and contribute to raising awareness of the new opportunities that this type of tourism has for the development of the Azores

Keynote Speaker

OCT 30

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Island Destinations as a model of leadership in sustainability

Satya Tripathi

Secretary-General, Global Alliance for a Sustainable Planet, United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)

Bio

Satya Tripathi

A development economist, lawyer and changemaker with over 40 years of varied experience. He has served with the UN for more than two decades in key positions across the planet and was most recently the UN Assistant Secretary-General, Head of New York Office at UN Environment and Secretary of the UN Environment Management Group.

Linkedin
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OCT 31

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Talking to...

Berta Cabral

Regional Secretary for Tourism, Mobility and Infrastructures

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paulo-salvador

Paulo Salvador

TVI journalist

Bio

Paulo Salvador

Paulo Salvador, TVI journalist. Executive Editor, Great reporter, author of the longest-running gastronomy programme on national television ‘Mesa Nacional’ (2014-2023), founder of the Wine Summit ‘Must Fermenting Ideas’ (Cascais). Born in Angola, he is the author of four works on that country (Recordar Angola) and a gastronomic guide (Mesa Nacional). He is currently working on major reports and special projects for TVI. World Cheese Awards consultant. He has a degree in Social Communication from the Technical University of Lisbon, ISCSP.

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Preamble to the Panel

OCT 31

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Hydrothermal Resources and Thermalism in the Azores: Potential, Opportunities and Challenges

João Carlos Nunes

Ph.D Scientific Director INOVA

Bio

João Carlos Nunes

  • Born in Ponta Delgada (S. Miguel, Azores), 1962
  • PhD in Volcanology (Azores University), 2000
  • Pedagogical Aptitude and Scientific Capacity Tests (Azores University), 1991
  • Degree in Geology, Scientific Branch (Porto University), 1985
  • Assistant Professor (with Definitive Appointment), Azores University, since FEB.2000
  • Scientific Director of INOVA - Instituto de Inovação Tecnológica dos Açores, since DEC.2004
  • Member of the Research Unit ‘GeoBioTec - GeoBioSciences, GeoTechnologies and GeoEngineering’ (FCT Centre), University of Aveiro, since MAY.2007
  • Eurogeologist (European Federation of Geologists - International Licensed Body), since MAR.2020
  • Technical Director of Operation of the ‘Água das Quenturas’ catchment, of the ‘Estância Termal das Furnas’ hydro-mineral resource (São Miguel, Azores), since MAR.2015
  • Consultancy and advisory services to companies and institutions in the Autonomous Region of the Azores, in the fields of volcanology, hydro-mineral resources and geothermal energy, since AUG.2011
  • Member of the Board of PROGEO Portugal - European Association for the Conservation of the Geological Heritage, since JAN.2009
  • Scientific Coordinator of the Azores Geopark - UNESCO World Geopark, from JAN.2011 to JUL.2022
  • Coordinator/Catalyst of the Working Group ‘Volcanic Areas’ of the EGN-European Geoparks Network, since SEPT.2014
  • Individual Member of the GGN-Global Geoparks Network/International Association on Geoparks, since JAN.2016
  • UNESCO/Global Geoparks Network Evaluator, since MAY 2018
  • Honorary Advisor of the ‘CVGA - Chinese Volcanic Geoparks Alliance’, from JUN.2018 to JUN.2021
  • Member of the Advisory Committee (AC) of the EGN- European Geoparks Network, since MAR.2024
  • Member of the National EuroGeol Accreditation Commission of the APG - Portuguese Association of Geologists, since JUN.2021
  • Member of the Board of ENTA - School of New Technologies of the Azores, since DEC.2011
  • Member of the Board of INOVA - Instituto de Inovação Tecnológica dos Açores, since MAR.2022
  • Professor in undergraduate and master's programmes at the University of the Azores (DG, DB, DCE, DCTD, DCA, DEG and ESTA-PDL), the University of Aveiro (DG) and the University of Minho (DCT).
  • Coordinator and head of various research and service projects at the University of the Azores and INOVA
  • Author of several articles, books, book chapters and communications published in specialized national and international journals, including indexed journals
  • Supervisor of around two dozen master's and doctoral theses at the University of the Azores (DG, DCA, DB and DCTD), the University of Minho (DCT), Instituto Superior Técnico (Lisbon), FCUL (Lisbon) and ICBAS (University of Porto).
  • Co-editor of publications and scientific reviewer/referee of various articles; Corresponding Guest Editor of the Special Issue (SI) ‘Volcanic Geology of Azores Islands’ of the Journal of Volcanology and Geothermal Research (Volume 156), published in 2006 by Elsevier (Ed. ), Netherlands; Guest Editor of the Special Issue (SI) ‘Selected Papers from the 14th European Geoparks Conference’, of the Geosciences - Open Access Journal, published in 2018, by MDPI (Ed.), Switzerland; Guest Editor of the Special Issue (SI) ‘Volcanic Geological Sites in UGGp European Geoparks’, of the ‘Geoconservation Research (GCR) Journal’, Open Access Journal, published in 2023.
  • Conference chair or co-organizer of various international, national and regional congresses, conferences, workshops and other scientific events

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PANEL I

OCT 31

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Caring for Body, Mind and Spirit in the Azores

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Victor Leal

Chairman of Termas de Portugal Association

Bio

Victor Leal

  • Born in Luanda – Angola, where he was born in 1971, having grown up in the parish of Vila Maior – S. Pedro do Sul and currently living in Termas de S. Pedro do Sul.
  • Married and father of 2 daughters.
  • Graduated in Law and Postgraduate in Public Employment Law from the Faculty of Law of the University of Coimbra and currently finishing his Master's degree in Public Business Administration (teaching part completed) from the same University.
  • Specialization Course on Municipal Business Sector at the Faculty of Law of the University of Coimbra.
  • Advanced Program for Municipal Managers at the Faculty of Economic and Business Sciences of the Portuguese Catholic University – Lisbon.
    Senior Occupational Safety and Hygiene Technician.
  • For 7 years (January 2004 to February 2011) he was Managing Director of Termalistur - Termas de S. Pedro do Sul EM, SA, and has been Chairman of the Board of Directors of this company since November 1, 2013.
    President of the Board of Associação das Termas de Portugal since April 2018, having been Vice-President between 2015-2018.
    Vice-President of EHTTA – European Historical Thermal Association, since 2022.
    Was responsible for Provere Termas Centro from 2016 to 2019.
  • President of the Board of the General Assembly of ADDLAP – GAL since 2015.
    Member of the Management Body of ADRIMAG – GAL since 2020.
    Member of the Board of Directors of ARPT – Agência Regional de Promoção Turística do Centro since 2013.
  • Member of the Board of Directors of Vila Maior Social Center – IPSS since 2013.
    He has been developing his professional activity in consultancy in the area of thermal spa, health and well-being, as well as being a trainer in these areas and in the areas of Law; Human Resources; Safety and Hygiene at Work, Management and Finance.

Linkedin

Ana Beato

Founder of Misty Islands and Guia de Banhos de Floresta

Bio

Ana Beato

Founder of the Misty Islands project and certified as a Forest Bathing Guide. She integrates her training in management, sport and coaching into the development of projects that promote well-being through practices that connect with nature. Her career as a manager in high-pressure environments gives her a holistic and balanced vision that values health and sustainability.

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Rita Santos

CEO of Satya Moments

Bio

Rita Santos

My name is Rita Santos, I'm from Terceira Island, Azores. I have a degree in Tourism Business Management from Escola Superior de Hotelaria e Turismo do Estoril. I have more than 12 years of professional experience in commercial areas, having worked with tour operators, travel agencies, in the event organization area, having worked in the hotel sector and also a certified trainer in the area of management and tourism.

From an early age, I was always guided by my values. The quest to expand my horizons and my knowledge, the freedom to explore the world, the connection with nature, authenticity and lightness, inspire my work and my lifestyle.

Having been born and raised on Terceira Island, in the Azores, my origins were always present within me, but it was over the years that I realized how much nature can be a refuge for those who face daily chaotic routines, stress and everyday pressure.

After a few years working in the areas of tour operations with travel agencies and national operators, in the commercial and event organization areas, I felt firsthand how challenging it can be to live in constant hustle and bustle.

It was at that moment that I found in yoga and nature a new way of rebalancing and well-being.

Inspired by my personal experience and, bringing with me the breeze and energy of the Azorean islands, were the reasons that led me to create this project - Satya Moments Retreats. Since then, I have dedicated myself to creating and providing opportunities for other people to reconnect with themselves and with life, through retreats that promote physical and mental well-being, in the contagious nature of the Azores archipelago.

These retreats are designed and thought for those who have a fast pace of life and deal with constant stress on a daily basis. They are for people who are on the verge of burnout, who face high levels of stress and anxiety, who feel lost and know they need a break, but don't know how or when to stop.

Here, we offer more than a simple break — we offer a transformative experience, with activities such as yoga, meditation, hiking on local trails, mindfulness dynamics, moments of silence and group sharing.

At this moment, I continue to develop and expand this project, with the mission of providing moments of personal transformation and well-being, throughout the Azores islands.

 

Linkedin
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Fernando Morais

Sustainability Director at Six Senses Douro Valley

Bio

Fernando Morais

Fernando Morais, Sustainability Director at Six Senses Douro Valley, is 36 years old and Brazilian, born in São Paulo. With a degree in Gastronomy, Environmental Management and Environmental Technician, Fernando has over 12 years' experience in the luxury hotel industry. He began his career at the Botanique Hotel & Spa in Campos do Jordão, where he worked for a decade and acquired a comprehensive vision of sustainable and wellness practices. Later, with the hotel's transformation into Six Senses Botanique, he took on the role of sustainability manager, leading projects in line with ESG principles.

His career has been marked by a commitment to sustainability, well-being and social responsibility. At Six Senses Douro Valley, Fernando has found an environment where these values are deeply integrated into all operations, reinforcing his role in promoting practices that combine operational excellence with environmental, social and governance responsibility.

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PANEL II

OCT 31

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Artificial Intelligence and Big Data in Tourism

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Evan Saunders

Vice Presidente of Global Travel & Hospitality at Azira

Bio

Evan Saunders

Evan Saunders founded the Tourism and Hospitality division of Azira in 2018. Azira delivers actionable insights on consumer behavior at a global scale, empowering Marketing and Operational Leaders to confidently reach, understand, market to, and measure highly targeted audiences, with over 500 destinations leveraging the company's solutions. 

Prior to Azira, Evan founded Attract China, a tourism marketing company focused on Chinese travelers coming to America, and ran it as CEO over a four-year period, servicing 250 clients, speaking at over 30 conferences worldwide, and winning multiple industry-leading awards, including HSMAI’s Top 25 Most Extraordinary Minds.

An avid traveler and club sandwich enthusiast, Evan documents his adventures on his blog, ClubSandwichReviews.com.

Linkedin

Sérgio Guerreiro

Business Intelligence Department | Turismo de Portugal

Bio

Sérgio Guerreiro

PhD in Tourism. More than 25 years of experience in the tourism sector in the areas of strategy, market intelligence, tourism policy and innovation. Senior Director for Strategy & Knowledge Management at Turismo de Portugal and Chairman of OECD Tourism Committee and previously Chair of the European Travel Commission’s Market Intelligence Group. Tourism Expert in several workgroups from international organizations such as EU, UNWTO, OECD, ETC and WEF.

Invited Professor at Nova School of Business and Economics, Nova Information Management School and Universidad Europea das Canarias.

Linkedin
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Nuno Lavrador

Founder and CEO of UpNorth

Bio

Nuno Lavrador

Born in Coimbra, where he graduated in Geography - Environmental Studies, he soon became interested in sustainability and the environment. After working for a few years in the Forest Resources Directorate and ICNF, he began his business career as a partner in SIGESTE - Sistemas de Gestão do Território, a technology company dedicated to software and hardware development. In 2015, alongside the SIGESTE project, he founded UpNorth, a technology company specialized in monitoring pedestrians and cyclists in both, urban and natural areas. Together with Eco-Counter, the world's leading company in this area, they have developed projects with national and international reference partners in the areas of tourism, mobility and smart territories.

 

Linkedin
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PANEL III

31 OUT

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Innovation in Tourism Destinations

Urska-Peceny

Urška Starc-Peceny

Chief Innovation Officer and Lead of Tourism 4.0 Department, ARCTUR

Bio

Urška Starc-Peceny

Urška Starc-Peceny, PhD, is an accomplished innovation specialist with expertise in business communication and new technologies. She received her international education in Slovenia, Italy, and Austria. In 2001, her PhD thesis entitled "Netlife" paved the way in research of collaboration design in an AI and big data-driven reality. 

With over 20 years of experience as an entrepreneur across Europe and the Middle East, Urška currently serves as Chief Innovation Officer at Arctur Ltd., where she leads the Tourism 4.0 department. In this role, she is dedicated to spreading Industry 4.0 technologies into the tourism sector to create a better future for all. She is proud to be part of several flagship projects co-creating the European Transition Pathway, including data spaces for tourism and cultural heritage, and Smart Tourism Destinations. She is deeply passionate about digital innovation of heritage.

Living between Slovenia and Vienna, Austria, she leads the NASA Space Apps Challenge and serves as a university lecturer on smart-related topics.

Linkedin

Arnar Már Ólafsson

Director General of the Icelandic Tourist Board

Bio

Arnar Már Ólafsson

Arnar Már Ólafsson is the Director General of the Icelandic Tourist Board, a position he has held since March 2023.

He brings extensive leadership experience in tourism, having worked in various roles, including marketing head at Icelandia, as well as leadership positions with Icelandic Mountain Guides and Iceland Rovers. Also, Arnar has years of guiding experience.

Arnar holds a DESS degree in international marketing and tourism from the Université de Savoie. He has also contributed to academia, teaching and directing tourism studies at the University of Iceland and the University of Akureyri, while serving as director of the Icelandic Tourism Research Centre.

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Viktor Waal

CEO of spotAR

Bio

Viktor Waal

Viktor Waal is the CEO of spotAR, a leading company specializing in augmented reality solutions for tourism in Germany. With over 8 years of experience in the tourism and technology sectors, Viktor has been instrumental in developing innovative strategies that promote sustainability and enhance traveler experiences.

Viktor participated in the Madeira Tourism Startup Retreat and returned to the island in spring 2024 to develop a WebApp serving as a digital guide for Madeira. This WebApp is connected to an AI that provides personalized travel recommendations and tells stories through an AR avatar. He is passionate about leveraging technology to create meaningful connections between tourists and destinations, particularly in island settings.

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PANEL IV

NOV 1

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Challenges and Opportunities for Island Destinations

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Arnar Már Ólafsson

Director General of the Icelandic Tourist Board

Bio

Arnar Már Ólafsson

Arnar Már Ólafsson is the Director General of the Icelandic Tourist Board, a position he has held since March 2023.

He brings extensive leadership experience in tourism, having worked in various roles, including marketing head at Icelandia, as well as leadership positions with Icelandic Mountain Guides and Iceland Rovers. Also, Arnar has years of guiding experience.

Arnar holds a DESS degree in international marketing and tourism from the Université de Savoie. He has also contributed to academia, teaching and directing tourism studies at the University of Iceland and the University of Akureyri, while serving as director of the Icelandic Tourism Research Centre.

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Rosa Costa

Regional Director for Tourism

Bio

Rosa Costa

Rosa Maria Carreiro Machado Costa holds a degree in Hotel Management from the Estoril Hotel and Tourism School (2003).

From March to December 2020, she was the Executive Director and Administrator of Pousadas de Juventude dos Açores - Azores Youth Hostels.

In 2018 and 2019, she provided advice on projects developed in the areas of accommodation, tourist entertainment and tourism operations. She also served as adviser for Tourism to the Ponta Delgada City Council.

She held the position of Technical and Commercial Director at the company Futurismo Azores Adventures (tourist animation company) from 2009 to 2018. 
Since 2006, she has been involved in vocational training in the area of tourism in several vocational training schools. She also organised and led, as Chief Expert, the Euroskills, Portugal Skills and Azores Skills competitions in the Hotel Reception category from 2009 to 2015.

She held the position of Assistant Director at the Marina Atlântico and Açores Atlântico Hotels (Bensaúde group) from 2003 to 2008.

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Cora Teixeira

Director of Tourism Qualification Services

Bio

Cora Teixeira

She was born in Funchal, Madeira Island, on 23 February 1980.

She has a degree in Portuguese Decorative Arts from the School of Decorative Arts of the Ricardo Espírito Santo Silva Foundation (2000-2005) and a Master's degree in Museology from the Lusíada University of Lisbon (2009).

She began her professional career in 2005 at the Regional Directorate for Culture, where she worked between 2007 and 2020 in the Cultural Heritage Services Department.

Since August 2020, she has been Director of Tourism Qualification Services at the Regional Directorate for Tourism, of the Regional Secretariat for Economy, Tourism and Culture and Coordinator of the Madeira Destination Sustainability Management Structure - DMO, since January 2022, where she is responsible for the Certification Process of the Autonomous Region of Madeira as a Sustainable Tourist Destination.

Since 2020, to date, she has also been a member of the Board of Directors of the Madeira Promotion Association.

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PANEL V

NOV 1

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Zero Carbon Islands and How to Decarbonize the Tourism Sector

Duarte Conde

Graciólica

Bio

Duarte Conde

Duarte Conde Silva was born on the island of Graciosa, Azores. He has a degree in Energy Engineering from the University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro, and a master's degree in Electrical Engineering, branch of Electrical Energy Systems from the Instituto Superior de Engenharia do Porto. He has been head of plant in Graciólica's Hybrid Energy Production system since 2018, having also worked in other roles on the same project since 2015.

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Andreia Ramos

Director of Sustainability and Environment at ANA Aeroportos de Portugal

Bio

Andreia Ramos

Andreia Ramos, who graduated in Environmental Engineering in 2005 from Instituto Superior Técnico, has a post-graduate degree in Sustainability from Nova SBE. She has experience in the field of environmental consultancy, having coordinated several Environmental Impact Studies in the areas of road, rail, metro line extensions, TGV, dams and airports. In addition to environmental studies, he has also coordinated several projects linked to the monitoring and management of mining areas.

In 2020, she joined ANA Aeroportos de Portugal as Director of Sustainability and Environment, coordinating and implementing an environmental strategy, with challenges linked to Energy and Climate Change, Circular Economy and Natural Resource Management. She is currently in charge of the sustainability strategy and report in line with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Translated with DeepL.com (free version)

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Philippe Moreau

Greener Act

Bio

Philippe Moreau

Distinctive 5* hotel management background in Europe and in Asia, Philippe has worked for ACCOR, MERIDIEN and MINOR GROUP after graduating from hotel management school in Switzerland in 1990. During this time, he held senior management positions whilst being part of pre-opening teams in Thailand, Burma, France, Portugal, Brazil and Angola.

More recently he specialised in sustainable development and was responsible for the tourism development in São Tomé & Principe, West Africa of www.hbdprincipe.com for 10 years until he founded in 2017 www.pmhospitality.com and www.greeneract.com in order to have a more conscious and responsible approach to sustainable development. Philippe is also President and CEO of https://www.palheironatureestate.com, a centennial tourism family business located on the Island of Madeira in Portugal.

He believes that we can harness positively the power of the tourism industry and improve the livelihood of local communities, while protecting the natural environment by Travelling and Acting in a more Sustainable way.  

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Preamble to the Panel

NOV 1

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Presentation of the study on the macroeconomic impact of tourism in the Autonomous Region of the Azores

Rui Faustino

Senior Manager at EY-Parthenon

Bio

Rui Faustino

An economist, Rui Faustino is a Senior Manager at EY-Parthenon, working in the area of public policy evaluation and impact analysis.

Throughout his career, Rui has worked on issues such as tourism, banking, insurance, pensions, consumption, innovation ecosystems and energy. During his time as a member of the National Accounts team at the National Statistics Institute, he worked continuously with administrative and financial data (micro) and different economic and financial indicators (macro), giving him great skills in handling and analyzing large volumes of information, as well as mastery of different statistical analysis software. As a consultant in EY-Parthenon's Government and Public Policy team, he has coordinated several projects in the fields of macroeconomic analysis and forecasting, economic impact assessment and public policy evaluation.

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Ana Caetano

Senior Manager at EY-Parthenon

Bio

Ana Caetano

An economist, Ana Caetano is a Senior Manager at EY-Parthenon, specialising in the design, evaluation and monitoring of public programmes and policies. She has accumulated experience in a wide range of sectors and policies over more than 10 years: European Union cohesion policy, regional and local development, housing and urban regeneration, culture, employment and vocational training.

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PANEL VI

NOV 1

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Impact of Tourism on Local Communities

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Ingrid Reis

CEO Espiral

Bio

Ingrid Reis

CEO of Espiral Soluções Socioulturais, a company that works on Social Impact, Creative Economy and Sustainability projects.

She is a social worker, specializing in Sociology and Health from the University of Medicine of Porto - Portugal.

She has worked as a consultant for: UNOPS ́S; UN-HABITAT; UNESCO; FUNDOGLOBAL; Rio de Janeiro State Government Departments and the Pereira Passos Institute.

Linkedin

Carlota Silva

Aldeia da Cuada

Bio

Carlota Silva

Carlota Silva, who has a degree in Nutritional Sciences, switched to tourism in 2010 and in 2017 became managing partner of SC TURISMO LDA, a tourism, catering and construction company whose portfolio includes the management of the ‘Aldeia da Cuada’, the largest rural tourism unit in the Azores, leading a team of more than 30 people. Aldeia da Cuada has won TripAdvisor's certificate of excellence for the last 6 consecutive years, was considered the 4th most sustainable hotel in Portugal by the zero association, is part of the Top50 of the most romantic hotels in the world by Travel and Leisure, was considered the most sustainable hotel in Portugal by Ahresp, received national tourism awards from Expresso/BPI, and this past year won the LTG awards in the Rural Retreat category and the World Luxury Travel Awards.

Believing in the strength of tourism, in 2021 the company opened another rural tourism, located in Fajã Grande ‘Villas do Mar’. In the future, the aim will be to continue exploring the different areas of tourism in the region, which it is already involved.

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Maria João Cruz

Project Manager at Blue Azores

Bio

Maria João Cruz

Maria João Cruz, project manager for the Blue Azores programme in the area of conservation and fisheries. She has a degree in Biology and a PhD in Marine Sciences from the University of the Azores, where she worked as a researcher in marine ecology.

Linkedin
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Filipa Grelo

Researcher "Fenais a Fenais" Project - Carlos Machado Museum

Bio

Filipa Grelo

Filipa Grelo, 15 years of professional experience in the area of inclusive and social entrepreneurship in the Azores Region, performing various functions, such as: consulting entrepreneurs and third sector entities, identifying and preparing applications for funding support programs, providing training and research.

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MC and Moderators

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Tiago Ribeiro

Antena3 Speaker and Director

Master of Ceremony

Bio

Tiago Ribeiro

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Lénia Mestrinho

Executive Director at Nova SBE Data Science Knowledge Center

Panel II Moderator

Bio

Lénia Mestrinho

Lénia Mestrinho is the Executive Director of the Nova SBE Data Science Knowledge Centre and the Digital Data Design Institute at Nova SBE and NOVA Medical School. At Nova SBE, she teaches on the Master's in Business Analytics, is an Adviser on Consulting Labs (Master's) and Business Projects (CEMS-MIM) and is also the coordinator of several Executive Training programmes. Lénia is also a board member of RESHAPE Portugal, a non-profit organization that promotes the successful reintegration of ex-convicts into society.

Her experience spans several projects in the areas of Data and Technology, from idealization, development, team and project management, to implementation and impact measurement, especially in the sectors of health, employment, education, tourism, oceans, telecommunications, mobility, among others.

In 2019, Lénia was Global Coordinator of the Data Science for Social Good Foundation, where she contributed to the development of the Foundation's strategy and supported the organization of the 2019 Summer Fellowships, in partnership with Imperial Business School, the University of Warwick and The Alan Turing Institute in the UK. In 2018, it collaborated on the Data Science for Social Good Europe 2018 initiative, hosted by Nova SBE and the University of Chicago.

Previously, she launched the B Corp movement in Portugal and in Portuguese-speaking countries in Africa, while at IES - Social Business School; evaluated investments in social businesses, at Yunus Social Business (Albania); advised the Minister of Economy on the management of the Adjustment Programme between the Portuguese Government and the Troika, while at the Portuguese Ministry of Economy and Employment; and was a Senior Strategy and Operations Consultant at Deloitte Portugal.

Her experience includes projects and clients in the public, private and non-profit sectors, in various countries such as Spain, Belgium, UK, Albania, Croatia, Italy, Mexico, USA, Chile, Angola, Mozambique, Israel and Bangladesh. She holds an M.Sc. in Management from Católica Lisbon SBE and a B.Sc. in Economics from Nova SBE. She recently completed a Postgraduate Diploma in Advanced Data Protection Law at the Faculty of Law of the University of Lisbon.

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Diogo Caetano

President of the Amigos dos Açores Association

Panel IV Moderator

Bio

Diogo Caetano

Born in 1979, Diogo Caetano is a geologist by profession, with a degree from the Faculty of Sciences of the University of Porto (2003), a postgraduate degree in Volcanology and Geological Risks (2011) and a master's degree in Spatial Planning and Environmental Planning (2007) from the University of the Azores.

Since 2008, he has been chairman of the board of Amigos dos Açores - Associação Ecológica, a regional non-governmental environmental organization based on the island of São Miguel - Azores, founded in 1989.

The aim of Amigos dos Açores - Associação Ecológica is to defend and value the environment and promote nature conservation.

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Vera Santos

RTP Açores journalist

Panel VI Moderator

Bio

Vera Santos

Vera Santos, originally from Fundão, has a degree in Journalism from the Faculty of Letters of Coimbra and a Master's in Communication Sciences from the University of the Azores.

With an academic specialization in television journalism, she has presented the programme ‘Açores Hoje’ at RTP Açores since 2015 and ‘Palavra Pública’ since 2020.

She has worked as a journalist for SIC Notícias and RTP Açores, on the radio stations RUC (Rádio Universidade de Coimbra) and RCB (Rádio Cova da Beira) as a contributor, and in the press for the weekly ‘Nova Guarda’. She also worked as press officer for the 10th Regional Government of the Azores. In 2019 she was elected ‘Journalist of the Year’ by the São Miguel Skating Association.

With an interest in different areas, literature and culture are particularly important. On the artistic side, theatre has been gaining more and more expression.

As an avid reader, writing has accompanied her at various stages of her life. In 2022 she published ‘Lua Que Sou’ in lyrical prose, a book with which she finally decided to share this literary passion. In 2024 she published ‘Incógnita Existência’ in poetry, a work with which she won an Honorable Mention in the Poetry Literary Competition.

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Margarida Martins

Managing Director Marques Inovação & Ambiente

Panel I Moderator

Bio

Margarida Martins

I - PERSONAL DETAILS

Name: Margarida Ourique Fernandes Martins, 48 years old
Marital status: Married, 2 children
Professional license from the Order of Certified Accountants: 79443

II - CURRENT PROFESSIONAL SITUATION

Since May 2021, she has been the General Manager of the company Marques Inovação & Ambiente to ensure that strategic and operational plans are drawn up and implemented to enable the development, growth and continuity of the company and the achievement of the results defined by the board of directors.

Marques Inovação & Ambiente's mission is to establish itself as a reference unit in the areas of Innovation, Research and Development in the Azores, favoring endogenous products and boosting the Circular Economy and the Bioeconomy, while also aiming to commercialize abroad.

Among the various business areas in which the company operates, the production of essential oils from endogenous plants under the Essentia Azorica brand stands out for the Azores Tourism Summit.

She is a member of the Marques Group's Executive Committee, the Marques Group's Legal Requirements Assessment Committee and the group responsible for the Marques Group's Sustainability area.

III - PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

SEPT 2019 TO FEB 2021 - Chairman of the Board of Directors of Hospital Divino Espírito Santo de Ponta Delgada, EPER (HDESPD, EPER)
DEC 2013 TO SEP 2019 - General Manager of Clínica Médica do Loreto (Clínica de São Sebastião) - Rua da Arquinha, nº 95 9500-032 Ponta Delgada
MAR 2012 TO NOV 2013 - Director of Operational Internal Audit and Advisor to the Board of Marques SGPS - R. Joaquim Marques, nº34 9600-049 Ribeira Grande.
FEB 2011 to FEB 2012 - Director of Operational Internal Audit and Advisor to the General Management - Marques Distribuição, SA - Rua de São Gonçalo nº 223 Apartado 91 - Ponta Delgada.
SEP 2008 to JAN 2011 - Purchasing and Logistics Director - Marques Distribuição, SA - Rua de São Gonçalo nº 223 Apartado 91 - Ponta Delgada.
JAN 2000 to DEC 2007 - Private Label and Represented Brands Manager - J.M. Montalverne & Filhos, Lda. - Caminho Pico do Funcho, Apartado 91 - Ponta Delgada.
JUL 1999 to DEC 1999 - Administrative and Financial Assistant - Caetano & Montalverne S.A. - Rua de São Gonçalo nº 223 Apartado 91 - Ponta Delgada.

IV - EDUCATIONAL QUALIFICATIONS

Degree in Economics from the Faculty of Economics of the University of Porto (1994-1999) Postgraduate course in Hospital Management and Health Services (2015)

V - RELEVANT FURTHER EDUCATION

January 2024 - Participation in a working session within the scope of RIS3 Azores 2022-2027: Interreg Europe Policy Learning Platform Peer Review Sessions - Presentation of the challenges and needs felt in the company regarding the transfer and effective use of scientific knowledge produced in the Azores.
December 2023 - ‘ESG Academy’ training promoted by Nova SBE
March 2023 - Participation in the 1st International Conference on Circular Economy in the Construction Sector closure of the Rebuild project 17 May/June 2021 - Participation in the training course on the operation and potential of the Innovation Portal (Introduction; Supply and Demand) promoted by the National Innovation Agency
July 2020 - Participation in the training course ‘Pre-Contractual Procedures in the Public Contracts Code - VBPLD&A
Dec 2019 - Participation in the 6th Health Good Practices Workshop organized by Saudaçor
Apr 2013 - Initial Pedagogical Training for Trainers - Norma Açores, S.A.
Aug 2010 - Advanced Excel Training - Norma Açores S.A.
May 2008 - Training in Time Management - Engª Patrícia Carvalho.
Apr 2008 - Training in Negotiation Techniques - Global Estratégias.
Mar 2008 - Demand, Planning & Forecasting for logistics managers - IIR Portugal.
May 2006 - Leadership Training - Neves de Almeida Consultancy.
Apr 2000 - Training

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Sérgio Ribeiro

CEO & Co founder of Planetiers

Panel III Moderator

Bio

Sérgio Ribeiro

CEO & Co founder of Planetiers. Finished his Master Degree on Biological Engineering in 2014. After working as an intern on an energy R&D laboratory and a Biofuel Unity in two multinational companies, realized that he wanted to create his own projects and become one of the major agents for sustainable transformation. In 2017, being already a CEO and co-founder of an educational game project for schools, he created Planetiers – an online marketplace exclusively for sustainable products and solutions. Since then, he made his life goal to keep promoting global sustainable transformation developing new platforms and speaking in schools, conferences, and all kind of international events. Since 2020, his company Planetiers has been one of the co-producers of the event Planetiers World Gathering and co-leader of transformational programs for companies and municipalities. In 2020 won the “Best Public Leader Award” for the Youth Leadership category. In 2022 was awarded as “Personality of the Year” at the Mercury Awards.

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Carolina Mendonça

Coordinator of the Azores DMO

Panel V Moderator

Bio

Carolina Mendonça

With over 8 years' experience in the field of sustainable development, Carolina has a degree in business management and sustainable tourism, and is a highly goal-oriented professional. She has worked as a sustainability consultant, driving positive change in more than 200 local organizations.

As a citizen of the Azores, Carolina dedicated herself from an early age to working to protect the local environment and contribute to the well-being of the local community. Her skills and passion for sustainable development in the Azores resulted in her being invited by the Regional Government of the Azores to become Coordinator of the Azores DMO, and today she is responsible for the process of certifying the Azores as a sustainable destination.

The Azores are today a leading destination in sustainable tourism, being the first archipelago in the world to be certified as a sustainable destination according to the GSTC criteria.

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