By the end of 2025, the Network comprised 130 ambassadors living in 35 countries; today, that map has expanded to 42 countries across five continents.
- With this ‘Summer Gathering,’ Valladolid City Council reaffirms its commitment to this community abroad—part of the Valladolid Now action plan—aiming to continue attracting professionals and supporting the internationalization of companies from Valladolid.
- The event featured a talk by Julio Ceballos Rodríguez, a leading Spanish expert on the Chinese market and China’s impact on the global economy and geopolitics.
- Additionally, the ‘Network Beacons’ were introduced—key professionals who will provide support in their respective countries to individuals from Valladolid who need it.
IdeVa (the Valladolid City Council’s Agency for Innovation and Economic Development) brought together more than 60 professionals from the Valladolid Ambassadors Network today at the Eusebio Sacristán Foundation facilities; these professionals work in some of the world’s major economic, business, scientific, and academic hubs.
All of them maintain a close bond with Valladolid and wish to contribute to the city’s development, lending their talents to various activities across 42 countries—an increase of seven countries since the end of last year. This commitment was highlighted during a second gathering—following an initial meeting in December—that brought together institutions, businesses, and universities, all united by a pledge to create new collaborative opportunities and strengthen the city’s international profile.
Valladolid Mayor Jesús Julio Carnero expressed his gratitude for the professionals’ generosity and emphasized that «our Ambassadors Network helps position Valladolid not only as a tourism or cultural destination but also as an attractive place to invest, launch businesses, conduct research, work, and live. It can open doors to collaborations, investment, knowledge transfer, business internationalization, and the attraction of skilled talent. Most importantly, it fosters a sense of community and builds an essential, long-term bond.»
With this «Summer Gathering,» Valladolid City Council reaffirms its commitment to a network that is part of the Valladolid Now action plan, aiming to continue attracting professionals and supporting the internationalization of local businesses.
In this regard, Carnero highlighted that «from the very beginning, the Municipal Office for Projects and Investment Attraction has united talent, business, academia, and public authorities into a genuine hub for collaboration—thanks to the joint efforts of Valladolid City Council and CEOE Valladolid—playing an increasingly vital role in Valladolid’s international projection, the attraction of opportunities, and its economic development.» For his part, Carlos Magdaleno, President of CEOE Valladolid, stated that “the Valladolid Talent Abroad Network—part of the Valladolid Ambassadors Network—must become a useful and accessible tool for our companies. The ‘Beacons’ will enable two-way connections: supporting Valladolid-based companies in their internationalization efforts and identifying projects, investment, and talent that could find a suitable environment for growth in Valladolid. The challenge now is to transform the knowledge and relationships gathered by the Network into concrete opportunities.”
The initiative was developed in collaboration with CEOE Valladolid—a strategic partner of the Network—to strengthen the connection between Valladolid-based talent abroad and the city’s business community, seeking new opportunities for internationalization, investment, and growth.
During the event, new personalized «Valladolid Ambassadors Network» cards were distributed; this named credential recognizes membership in the international community and symbolizes each ambassador’s commitment to promoting Valladolid. Those unable to attend will receive theirs by mail.
Network «Beacons»
The meeting also unveiled a key new feature of the Network: the creation of the «Beacon» role. These are prominent professionals from Valladolid pursuing careers in strategic international markets. They will act as hosts, facilitating a two-way exchange: serving as a support system for Valladolid companies looking to expand internationally, while also acting as a gateway for projects interested in launching ventures within the city.
The first five Network «Beacons»—who joined the event online—are María Moreno (South Africa), David García (Germany), Víctor Escolar (India), Cristina Rivas (Singapore), and Salvador Moreno (Mexico). These professionals possess solid international track records and are dedicating their experience and networks to Valladolid’s economic development.
Lecture by Julio Ceballos Rodríguez, International Business Development Consultant
The event featured a lecture by Julio Ceballos Rodríguez, an international business development consultant, author, and one of Spain’s leading experts on the Chinese market and China’s impact on the global economy and geopolitics. Drawing on over two decades of professional experience in Asia, Ceballos gave a talk titled «Networks and Talent in the New World Order: Opportunities and Challenges,» highlighting the role played by professional networks and international talent in a global landscape defined by profound economic and geopolitical shifts.
Virtual Ambassador Support Office
At the same time, the Virtual Ambassador Support Office has been launched—a space designed to maintain direct, ongoing contact with ambassadors, thereby facilitating communication and strengthening the bond between the city and those pursuing their professional careers elsewhere.
The goal is for the Ambassador Network to be more than just a professional database or a contact list; it is meant to be a genuine community. It is a dynamic, accessible, and useful network for sharing talent, creating opportunities, driving projects, and keeping the connection between Valladolid and its ambassadors—wherever they may be—constantly open.