Luis Planas described Grandes Pagos de Olivar as "the spearhead of a strategic transformation for our country," encouraging the Association to remain on the path of excellence: "You have my full support, and my presence here today is meant to signify that commitment—to continue innovating, remaining at the forefront, driving transformation, and acting as pioneers and leaders in premium extra virgin olive oil in Spain."
Former Ministers of Agriculture Isabel García Tejerina and Miguel Arias Cañete, among other dignitaries attended the event. Francisco Vañó recalled GPO's arrival in 2005 in a sector “that was 'somewhat stagnant and sluggish, marking the beginning of a new category of olive oils: extra virgins sourced from a defined terroir, giving them structure, differentiation, and a series of genuinely novel tangible and intangible attributes.”
Francisco Vañó shared a warm remembrance of the association’s two late co-founders, Carlos Falcó and Alfredo Barral, who, alongside Agustín Santolaya, launched the organization. Santolaya himself moderated the panel discussion "GPO: The Story," featuring Xandra Falcó of the Marqués de Griñón olive mill, food journalist José Carlos Capel, and Giacomo Costagli of Alfa Laval. Together, they recalled the early days when "it seemed almost taboo to shift the focus away from yield—which had historically been the sole objective in olive farming—to prioritize pure quality instead."
In the second panel discussion, "The Present and Future of EVOO," moderated by Francisco Vañó, Luis Suárez de Lezo, President of the Royal Academy of Gastronomy; chef Abraham García; and Javier Aranceta, President of the Spanish Academy of Nutrition and Food Sciences, highlighted the organoleptic and health benefits of EVOO both as a standalone food and as an essential ingredient in gastronomy.
