Badajoz honors local entrepreneurs at XVI annual awards gala

The XVI Premios Empresario de Badajoz gala, held at the Ibercaja Building, recognized various contributors to the economic and social fabric of the province. Mariano García Sardiña, economist and president of the Chamber of Commerce of Badajoz, was named the 2026 Entrepreneur of Badajoz for his career beginning in 1995 with the real estate firm García Márquez.

Other award recipients included HeatCool Event (SME Award), Remedios Carrasco of Jarropa y Sita (Self-Employed Award), Códice Gestión de la Información (Business Initiative Award), and Butagás (Business Trajectory Award). Additionally, the Consorcio Provincial de Prevención y Extinción de Incendios de Badajoz (CPEI) received a special award from La Crónica.

In reflections on his career, García Sardiña noted that starting a business during a crisis fosters a deep appreciation for effort and prepares entrepreneurs for subsequent economic growth cycles.