In its Italian version, this article was published on the local daily newspaper La Tribuna di Treviso, Sunday 4 July 2010. Federico Tessari interviewed by Daniele Ferrazza, page 3

Tessari leaves Treviso Chamber of Commerce
Leaving after ten-year mandate, he commented: «I was committed to remaining, they chose otherwise. I wish Mr Tognana well»
I’m happy I brought Industrial Design and Fashion Design degree programmes in Treviso

TREVISO – Federico Tessari concludes his ten-year mandate as president of Treviso Chamber of Commerce.

Mr Tessari is an entrepreneur from Montebelluna, owner of a company called Tieffe (specialized in coverings) who has always lived and breathed Confartigianato .
He has given up hope of extended presidency, notwithstanding the support received by different sides during the last period: the management of Ascom, Cna, Casartigiani, of cooperatives and the bank system; Mr Muraro, president of the Provincia di Treviso; Mr Gobbo, mayor of Treviso.

After ten years, Federico Tessari concludes his path at Treviso Chamber of Commerce and personally announces it in an interview by La Tribuna di Treviso.
The association he belongs to, Confartigianato, didn’t include his name among the five candidates for the presidency, for which the front-runner is Nicola Tognana from the industrial entrepreneurs’ association.

The decision was recently made, after discussing with friends and collaborators and after members from Confartigianato Treviso met and chose the five candidates representing their association in the new council of Treviso Chamber of Commerce.

His name doesn’t fall into the above-mentioned candidates.

It was his own association who excluded him, notwithstanding his step-by-step climb of the Chambers’ system: Mr Tessari is president of Unioncamere Veneto since 2006 and one of the vice-presidents of the national Unioncamere since one year ago. Mr Tessari, with its relations-oriented approach, is familiar with the worlds of politics and economy and credit institutions.

He resigned himself to leaving the Chamber after the inauguration of the new council in September, because he’s not willing to face disagreements, which are not congenial to him.

He doesn’t dislike being in the limelight, but prefers more discreet relations.

He puts up with the situation, sitting in his office in Montebelluna, while he answers a call or has lunch with one of his closest friends. He tries to make the best of it: he will focus his effort on Unioncamere Veneto, which he’s governing until June 2012.

 To what extent did this situation disappoint you?
 «The commitment I’ve always showed in all the offices I held, I put it also in saying I was committed to remaining. They chose otherwise, and it’s all right. I will keep on performing other tasks with the usual management style».

 What is your opinion about your successor, who will probably be Mr Nicola Tognana?
 «I wish him well in his future work. He’s an experienced professional and will be able to make the best of what we already did, as well as to build new opportunities and support economy growth».

 What is your assessment of the past ten years?
 «It has been an extraordinary experience, which let me grow even personally. Treviso Chamber of Commerce – which represents 93,000 companies – is the ninth in Italy and thus a singular observation point for people working with companies and society».

 During these years, to which initiatives do you feel you contributed the most?
 «I’ve always prioritised economic growth and the interests of companies and trade associations. Above all, I’m proud of two important initiatives: the university programmes of Industrial Design and Fashion Design of IUAV University, which we brought to Treviso. And, obviously, our new headquarters in Viale Appiani».

 How did you develop the idea of bringing Industrial Design to Treviso?
 «This idea was conceived three months after my installation in 2000: I spoke to some representatives of companies and we deduced that the market was in need of technical skills. I met the then chancellor of IUAV University Mr Marino Folina and we found a way. Now, the Industrial Design degree programme can boast 360 students».

 What about Fashion Design?
 «It was born in 2005 thanks to talks with Mr Folin, with the dean Mr De Michelis, and Ms Maria Luisa Frisa. Now, the Fashion Design degree programme has 180 students».

 A recent survey showed that degrees in Industrial Design and Fashion Design from Treviso are valuable qualifications to the market…
 «…which means we guessed right, and what’s more: I believe these degree programmes need a second-cycle programme as well. It has been possible for Industrial Design, while there’s a forthcoming project for Fashion Design».

 Another strategic choice has been that of the new headquarters in Viale Appiani, resulted from a property exchange with Fondazione Cassamarca. Someone else will inaugurate it.
 «Yes, I’m regretful about that, but what is more important is that results have been achieved. The idea of new headquarters in Viale Appiani derived from the need for new, costless spaces for Treviso Chamber of Commerce. We went to visit the new square some days ago with Mr Dino De Poli».

 Your presence at Treviso Chamber of Commerce, during these years, has been unanimously accepted: only a few arguments and no disagreements with trade associations. Why?
 «I believe I invested much effort in making the council’s members cohesive and in building relations with all trade associations and with the institutions.
The projects by Treviso Chamber of Commerce were always unanimously approved, I never got votes against. Only one abstention, once».

 That of the former president, Mr Giuseppe Zanini…
 «Yes, that’s right».

 Italian Chambers of Commerce are like “small parliaments” in which trade associations are represented: do you believe you did enough for the local economy?
 «I believe that negotiations with all economic realities worked effectively. Obviously, there would be many other things to do.
But I’m sure that the governing system built in Treviso during these years is secure and efficient. Our team work has been remarkable: in 10 years, contributions were made available to trade associations for a total amount of € 270 million, with fixed costs below 24% for companies».

 In which way did you contribute to the export trade?
 «Treviso Glocal is a company – founded under my presidency – in which trade associations participate. I believe it’s working effectively».

 Which is the initiative you regret the most not having the possibility to complete?
 «I regret I won’t carry on the idea of a centre for creativity and design, which is a project I firmly believe in. The current economic process – to which I strove to contribute – is that of upgrading the manufacturing system: companies will be less and less traditional, yet more and more innovative. That is why we need to foster creativity».

 Which is the current situation of Treviso Chamber of Commerce?
 «It’s a well working machine, under the skilful direction of the Secretary General Mr Marco D’Eredità, and it boasts great competencies at all levels, from the secretariat to collaborators, even of associated agencies. It’s important to underline that it was the first Chamber of Commerce among PAs to obtain the EFQM quality assurance accreditation.
Above all, I would like to thank the board of governors and councillors, who worked side by side with me during these years with a skilful, collaborative approach.
As a matter of fact, I always underline that our real, authentic competitive advantage is human capital. The authentic resource in our territory are people and their knowledge».

 What about the economy in Treviso?
 «Recovery has started, even if it is still faint and weak. This is what figures tell. Our territory is focused on exports, thus leading this recovery. Our companies are very skilled at reaching new markets and new products. What we lack is internal consumption, that’s the problem. But it depends much on the government’s economic policy».