Leaders from various sectors gather at GIOYA Collection Reception

The prestigious GIOYA Collection Reception, part of the 2025 GIOYA Global Destinations Road Show, was held at Quadro at The Westin Dragonara Resort, St Julian’s, on June 13.

The exclusive event, titled ‘Where Knowledge Meets Influence’, welcomed distinguished guests from public and private sectors, along with leaders from maritime and yachting industries, sports authorities and public education institutions.

The GIOYA Higher Education Institution, recognised as a premier learning business club providing exclusive professional growth experiences, boasts a global presence in Geneva at the UN University for Peace, Marbella at The Embassy Sport Premium, Higuerón, and Malta, which is home to its own higher education institution.

Strategic partnerships in Shanghai, Bahrain and Tuscany further enhance GIOYA’s international reach and influence, particularly within the luxury and yachting sectors.

Some of the distinguished guests at the event.

The evening’s programme featured presentations by international thought leaders and targeted networking opportunities.

Highlights included presentations of GIOYA’s innovative programmes in luxury management by Pietro Angelini of the Tuscan Yachting District, commercial diplomacy by Ambassador David Fernandez Puyana, and sports leadership by retired professional basketball player Berni Rodríguez. All these programmes were developed in collaboration with global partners.

Special attention was given to the newly established ‘Executive Doctorate in Commercial Diplomacy’, a double degree developed with the United Nations University for Peace, and which was recently presented at the UN in Geneva.

Additionally, the reception announced the creation of the GIOYA-Shanghai University of Political Science and Law ‒ Malta Center for International Law and Commercial Diplomacy Talent Development.

David Agius and Alex Borg

Speakers at the event included Francesco Cappè, president and CEO of GIOYA HEI, Education Minister Clifton Grima, Minister for EU Funds Stefan Zrinzo Azzopardi and Ambassador Sameh Aboul-Enein from Egypt.

This Malta gathering marked a significant milestone in GIOYA’s global tour, highlighting the island’s critical role in international business, commercial diplomacy, sports and yachting industries.

As GIOYA now prepares for its Madrid reception, the institution’s governing bodies extend their gratitude to Maltese institutions for their warm welcome, specifically highlighting minister Grima and Zrinzo Azzopardi, MPs Alex Borg, Justin Schembri and David Agius, and the Spanish Ambassador to Malta, José María Muriel Palomino.