Page 376 - Evento Guatemala 2012

about how many members would attend the meeting. The most pleasant surprise was that all the
members of the Executive Committee came; they suspended their vacations, they left their families
at the summer resorts, they cut short their holidays. Then, when I saw that, I said to myself: this
Association`s people and its members are unbeatable. And I took up a double challenge.

After that Executive Committee meeting, the decisions to be made would have to be announced
to the members at the following event. Because of the holiday season we decided to organize
the seminar in Mendoza, also in Argentina. Then the second act of magic occurred: not only
was the meeting attended by almost all members but also none of them left the Association and
six more members joined. The event was a success.

Going ahead with international expansion

At that moment, the Association was starting a new stage, a new international positioning.
We discussed about and agreed to continue with global expansion. Together with Mr. Liu,
president of China National Investment & Guaranty Corporation, Ltd., we decided to organize
the 2010 forum in China. So, we doubled the challenge and could achieve it. In the meantime,
the Operating Office continued to do piecework, as they did from the moment I took over.
Administrative issues were being addressed, the digitalization of the books of the Association
was started, the conference videos were uploaded to the Web, the Web page format was changed
with online photographs of all the members and an access password. Then, for the best
management of administration matters we created PASA Argentina and PASA Switzerland, to
continue with the expansion and development of the Association.

Among the ideas that came up, there was a proposal to hold a seminar in Medellín, Colombia,
led by Confianza’s people. We achieved an excellent seminar. The first day the sessions were
open to all business players. We were in doubt as to the admittance of constructors, contractors,
public and private officers. Because of the uncertainty, we booked a meeting room for about
140 or 150 people: almost 200 people came. We had to put extra chairs in the corridors. The
people in charge of the organization and the Operating Office staff did their best efforts to
please the members. These things, which are not noticed by everyone, are the small secrets that
contribute to the Association’s success. Now that I see it at a distance, I think that to overcome
that crisis, I must have been under the effect of this magic.

Closing the circle

I always remember that my first contact with PASA was at a seminar held in São Paulo, in 1992,
where João Possiede and José Peón de Sá gave me a warm reception. I met the most important
players of the Brazilian market at that moment, an incipient market, but with an immense
insurance background. And all former presidents taught me their experience. My presidency
ended in Brazil, in 2008; so, this period of my life began and ended with all the Brazilian joy.

374 Asociación Panamericana de Fianzas / Panamerican Surety Association