ACIEK CONFERENCE 2027

With over 60 years of history, ESIC is the leading educational institution in the fields of Marketing, Business and Technology. Founded in 1965, it has evolved from its origins as Spain’s first marketing school into a global educational ecosystem comprising ESIC University, ESIC Business & Marketing School and ESIC School of Higher Vocational Training.
Its academic model is distinguished by a close connection with the labour market, combining academic rigour with practical training grounded in ethical values. Its purpose is to contribute to the transformation of individuals by equipping them with knowledge, skills and values to respond to the current and future challenges facing society.
The institution has a national presence in Madrid, Barcelona, Valencia, Zaragoza, Pamplona, Seville, Malaga, Granada and Bilbao, and an international presence in Curitiba (Brazil) and Medellín (Colombia). Furthermore, it boasts a network of over 80,000 alumni and more than 175 strategic partnerships with international educational institutions in over 45 countries.
ESIC’s Valencian Community Campus, located in the heart of Valencia’s university district, carries out its academic activities in a privileged setting that fosters interaction with other higher education institutions, research centres and stakeholders in the socio-economic sector. From this strategic location, ESIC promotes research and teaching in management, marketing and the digital economy.

Valencia is a vibrant Mediterranean city located on Spain’s eastern coast and is the capital of the Valencian Community. Thanks to its strategic position along the Mediterranean Sea and excellent transport connections — including high-speed rail links and Valencia Airport — the city serves as an important gateway between Spain and the rest of Europe. With a population of over 800,000 inhabitants, Valencia is Spain’s third-largest city and one of the country’s main economic, cultural, and technological hubs. In recent years, Valencia has also strengthened its reputation as an innovation center, attracting international startups and technology companies while maintaining a strong focus on sustainability and urban development.

Valencia is internationally renowned as the birthplace of paella, one of Spain’s most iconic dishes, traditionally prepared with rice cultivated in the nearby Albufera Natural Park. The city’s gastronomy reflects its Mediterranean identity, with fresh seafood, local produce, horchata, and citrus fruits playing a central role in its cuisine.

The city combines centuries of history with striking modern architecture. Valencia’s historic center preserves landmarks such as Valencia Cathedral, the Silk Exchange — Llotja de la Seda, a UNESCO World Heritage Site — and the medieval Torres de Serranos. At the same time, the futuristic City of Arts and Sciences, designed by Valencian architect Santiago Calatrava, has become one of Spain’s most recognizable cultural and architectural landmarks.

Valencia is also famous for hosting Las Fallas, one of Spain’s most spectacular festivals and recognized by UNESCO as Intangible Cultural Heritage. Every March, the city comes alive with enormous artistic monuments, fireworks, music, and celebrations that showcase Valencia’s strong cultural identity and creative spirit.