“Driving Global Connectivity” was the slogan of the first FEGIME Congress ever to be held in France. From 30th May to 1st June 165 FEGIME wholesalers and 75 suppliers – many accompanied by their partners – took part: in total 350 people from 27 countries. In addition, FEGIME’s Strategy 2020+ – the group’s common game plan for the coming years at national and international level – was also presented.

In 2015 FEGIME was very happy to gain Algorel Electricité as a member and finally return to the French market after an absence of over 15 years. So, the choice of Nice as the venue for the 16th FEGIME Congress was a way of completing the process – not to mention the fact that the city provides a wonderful location. On 1st January FEGIME Latam officially joined the group and FEGIME became truly global. This big step forward for FEGIME was the background to the Congress slogan “Driving Global Connectivity”. And the new colleagues from South America proved the point: 11 participants from Argentina made the 12-thousand-kilometre journey to attend their first Congress as members of FEGIME. In addition to providing further examples of how connected the group is, the FEGIME Board of Directors – assisted by representatives of the National Organisations and FEGIME Future -– also presented and illustrated FEGIME’s Strategy 2020+ – the group’s common game plan for the coming years at national and international level. This ambitious project is divided into 5 strategic clusters: Expansion, Marketing, Knowledge Base, Digitalisation and Succession. FEGIME is constantly on the lookout for suitable, new member wholesalers and wholesaler organizations. The last two years were very successful in this respect with Denmark and Argentina/Latam joining the group. So, it was a natural choice for colleagues from these countries to present the topic of Expansion. Next up with Marketing was FEGIME Hellas & Cyprus, followed by FEGIME Nederland and FEGIME Norge with prime illustrations of Knowledge Base – the strategic initiative to prepare FEGIME for new markets, new products and new trends. To illustrate the vitally important topic of Digitalisation colleagues from Germany, Poland, Portugal and Spain presented FEGIME Connect – FEGIME’s Digital Programme that aims to guarantee its wholesalers a sustainable future. A future that allows them to develop their businesses, by taking advantage of all opportunities offered by digitalisation. To finish off the day with the topic Succession, the next generation organisation FEGIME Future took the stage to show by their “Proof of Future” how they are convinced that their organisation – and with it FEGIME as a close and connected family – is so very futureproof.