FEIBP 65th Congress Preview: Guide to Ischia
By Marion Keller
There’s nothing quite like a trilogy to tell a story, be it with movies, books, or now, brushware conferences. The 2025 FEIBP Congress in Ischia, Italy, this October will tell the final chapter of how “no man is an island,” and the audience is expected to be very interested.
Episode III
Starting in 2023, “No man is an island” – taken from Devotions upon Emergent Occasions by the British cleric and poet John Donne – has served as the theme for FEIBP’s annual meetings (also, not coincidentally, held on islands). Belfast, Ireland, served as the setting for “No Company Leader Is an Island.” Last year, Ibiza, Spain, was the locale for “No Company Is an Island.” Now, the volcanic island of Ischia, located in Italy’s Bay of Naples, will focus on a discussion of how “No Federation Is an Island.”
“We gave food for thought for two Congresses, and now everyone can give back and start actively building the federation for the future,” says outgoing FEIBP President Alessandro Acquaderni. “We have been working hard so that people will have a complete experience in this Congress.”
Taking place from October 8th to 11th, the Congress will be held at the Continental Ischia Hotel. “The fact that we selected an Italian location is not random,” Acquaderni mentions. “Italy is the most biodiverse country in the world in terms of the number of animal and vegetable species present, and we will invite people to reflect how many different types of unique members can flourish even in a tiny space.”
Lego My Keynote
The 2025 Congress will differ in at least one notable way from Parts I and II of the trilogy – it will not feature a keynote speaker. Instead, attendees will be asked to brainstorm new ideas for collaboration themselves through the format of…play! Specifically, LEGO® Serious Play® — a workshop approach that incorporates the iconic LEGO® bricks as a method for communication, creative thinking, problem-solving and teambuilding.
The concept of LEGO® Serious Play® was first developed in 1996 when the LEGO Group and two professors in Switzerland were looking into alternative methods for strategic planning. LEGO components were used to create 3D models of business challenges and solutions. Now, the LEGO Group provides LEGO® Serious Play® as a community-based model with an open-source document to allow for further innovation and flexibility.
“With LEGO® Serious Play®, each participant will be required to contribute playfully to the reshaping of the Federation for the future,” Acquaderni says. “We want to delve into how the federations – including both the FEIBP and the ABMA – can be less like islands and work together effectively.”
Working Hard
The Congress will begin on Wednesday, October 8th, with registration and a kickoff cocktail party for attendees to catch up. The official opening will take place the morning of Thursday, October 9th, when Acquaderni, along with ABMA President R.J. Lindstrom, will greet delegates, introduce first-time attendees and present the 17th annual Innovation Awards.
For those interested in spotlighting new innovations introduced after September 2024, products can be submitted for consideration until September 19, 2025 – although, as per Acquaderni, there is some flexibility in the process. “We’ll be accepting submissions until a few days before the Congress. We want to encourage as many entries as possible,” he says.
After some very Italian coffee breaks and a meeting of the general assembly, attendees will split into working groups. Those involved in technical brushes and paintbrushes will meet for discussions until lunchtime, with personal care and professional hygiene brushware representatives gathering in their respective groups in the afternoon.
“Collaboration will be the key topic and the role of the federation as an ensemble for the industry working on common goals and the activities will reflect this idea,” says FEIBP Association Manager Giacomo Lazzaro. “The idea is to bond and to develop interpersonal relationships. Knowing individuals better can lead to stronger business relationships as well.”
Those planning to attend the Congress are expecting tariffs on trade to be a major focus of discussion. While the tariff policy of the Trump administration appears to change by the day, the current expectations are that the 15% general tariff rate discussed for the European Union will be the most significant factor affecting the brushware industry.
“At FEIBP Congresses, we have frank and open dialogue with pretty much every topic open for discussion, but I would definitely expect to hear many comments about the global economic situation and its effect on our industry,” says Andrew McIIroy, director of sales and marketing for Perlon® – The Filament Company. “Tariffs will mean higher costs for almost everything sold to U.S. customers. All of the major brushware machine manufacturers are in the EU, and 15% is a hefty sum to bear.”
Following the working group meetings, attendees can enjoy team-building activities that will include pizza-making and pasta-making before dinner Thursday night. Friday’s main event on October 10th will be a brush forum with suppliers, followed by a trip to the historic city and then a gala dinner. Saturday, October 11th, will conclude with a meeting for FEIBP board members and an optional activity and dinner for all attendees.
Hot Hot Hot
Congress participants looking for a fascinating cultural experience to take their minds off of tariffs and costs will have plenty of material in Ischia. Inhabited since the Bronze Age, Ischia is composed almost entirely of volcanic rock, though, fortunately, from an extinct rather than an active volcano (Mount Epomeo). Thanks to this geographically violent past, Ischia boasts fertile soil that is known for its wine, olive oil and fruit – and much more.
Those looking for safe heat sources are in luck – Ischia’s thermal springs draw numerous visitors seeking a distinctive spa experience. The geothermal activity connected to the volcanic system known as the Phlegraean Fields helps to provide countless options for attendees to relax and rejuvenate in warm waters (and mud baths).
“Our hotel for the Congress has a large spa with many thermal pools,” Acquaderni points out. “It will be very beneficial for guests who want to have thermal treatments. On Saturday, we will have an organized tour to the Negombo national park, which has more than 30 thermal pools and caves surrounded by astonishing works of nature and distinctive pieces of contemporary art. It will be a unique experience of health and beauty.”
Those looking for a drier pastime will get their chance on Friday when the Congress will offer a trip to the Castello Aragonese d’Ischia. First built by Hiero I of Syracuse in 474 BC on a small tidal island to the east of Ischia, the castle was connected to the main island in 1441 with a stone bridge.
Since its inception, the castle has seen countless struggles for supremacy throughout various wars, interspersed with volcanic eruptions to complicate matters further. Fortunately for Congress attendees, the last battles in the area took place more than two centuries ago, and the castle is now a cultural site perfect for a guided tour.
Ischia also offers an old town, shops and beaches for tourists (though with an average high of 71°F/22C in the month of October, those looking for a watery experience may wish to stick to the heated springs). Movie fans are in luck – notable works filmed on the island include “Cleopatra” (the highest-grossing movie in 1963) and “The Talented Mr. Ripley,” along with certain scenes from 2019’s “Men In Black: International.” The annual Ischia Film Festival takes place at the castle in late June to early July.
Participants in the Congress will have a singular culinary experience at the Lisola restaurant. Described as one of “the Mediterranean’s gourmet destinations,” Lisola will host the gala dinner on Friday, including a DJ set for the post-meal celebrations.
“The owners of the restaurant are deeply involved in our event,” Acquaderni says. “One co-founder is a Michelin three-star chef in another restaurant, and the cook just won a prize as one of the top 50 pizza makers in the world.”
Acquaderni recalls that, on his first visit to Ischia, he dug into the sand on a beach only to feel burning heat just a few inches down – a sign of the geothermal underpinnings that make the island such an interesting place to experience. He urges conference participants and their families to truly enjoy all Ischia has to offer.
“You can really plant anything, and the soil allows every fruit and vegetable to grow with a unique taste and flavor,” he says. “Given the nature, the history, the food and the warmth of the people, those traveling to Ischia are in for a marvelous experience.”
Off the Island
At the 2025 Congress, attendees will find out the location and theme of the 2026 Congress, with the trilogy of island-focused meetings concluding. Incoming FEIBP President Simon Lorillere will make the announcement as part of the transition to new leadership of the organization.
“Whatever I accomplished as President, it was actually through the group work of a very active board of directors along with input from the ABMA and former board members,” Acquaderni says. “I believe we brought about a big change in the way that the FEIBP sees itself. Going forward, I hope people will realize how cooperation between companies and federations can be not only possible, but a key to success.”
FEIBP Congress Agenda – October 8–11, 2025
Wednesday, October 8, 2025
16.30 – 18.30 Registration desk ALL
17.00 – 18.30 Board Meeting (only for Board members) BOARD
19.00 – 22.00 Welcome Cocktail ALL
Thursday, October 9, 2025
08.00 – 08.30 Registration ALL
08.30 – 09.15 Official Opening 65th FEIBP Congress – Welcome by the President Alessandro Acquaderni; Greetings from the President of ABMA; FEIBP & ABMA MoU signing ceremony; Introduction of all first-time attendees; Presentation of the 15th Innovation Awards DELEGATES
09.15 – 09.30 Coffee Break DELEGATES
09.30 – 11.30 General Assembly DELEGATES
11.30 – 11.40 Coffee Break DELEGATES
11.40 – 13.00 Working Group Technical Brushes DELEGATES
11.40 – 13.00 Working Group Paint Brushes DELEGATES
09.30 – 13.00 tbc PARTNERS
13.00 – 13.50 Lunch ALL
14.00 – 15.30 Working Group Personal Care ALL
14.00 – 15.30 Working Group PHB ALL
16.00 – 18.45 (tbc) Team building 1 – Pizza making ALL
16.00 – 18.45 (tbc) Team building 2 – Activity by the pool ALL
18.45 – 20.00 Free time ALL
20.00 – 22.00 Dinner ALL
Friday, October 10, 2025
09.00 – 09.30 Brush forum setup Sponsors/Suppliers
09.30 – 11.00 Brush forum DELEGATES
11.00 – 13.00 Workshop DELEGATES
08.30 – 13.00 tbc PARTNERS
13.00 – 14.00 Lunch ALL
14.30 – 16.45 City Trip ALL
19.00 Transfer to Gala Dinner ALL
19.30 – 00.00 Gala Dinner ALL
Saturday, October 11, 2025
09.00 – 10.00 Board Meeting (only for Board members) BOARD
TBA Information about the optional activity and the dinner will be announced soon ALL (optional)
