Family Business Summit Brings Together Business Families in Guatemala
ALTAG and Siete Zero host Guatemala's first Family Business Summit, exploring succession planning, business continuity and family governance.
The first edition of the Family Business Summit, organized by ALTA GERENCIA (ALTAG) in partnership with Siete Zero, brought together business owners and members of entrepreneurial families to exchange experiences and explore practical tools for strengthening family businesses and ensuring their continuity across generations.
Family business succession and continuity take center stage
The event featured three international speakers who addressed key challenges facing family-owned companies, from succession planning to professionalization and long-term shareholder relationships.
Colombian corporate law expert Rodrigo Lozano Vila focused on family succession and the importance of preparing in advance. His presentation explored family agreements and disagreements, inheritance mechanisms and the need to build consensus progressively to support a smoother transition between generations.
María Fonseca, director of the Institute for Entrepreneurial Families at Tecnológico de Monterrey, examined the challenges that can affect the continuity of family businesses. These include difficulties transferring knowledge and experience to younger generations, a lack of established processes, limited professionalization and a lack of interest among some younger family members in joining the business.
Her discussion highlighted the importance of addressing these challenges to help businesses prepare for future generations of leadership.
@bancoindustrial ¡Construyendo el legado del mañana! ✨ Recientemente participamos del Family Business Summit 2026, un espacio que reunió a empresarios, propietarios y líderes de empresas familiares, con el fin de brindarles un entorno de aprendizaje, donde también pudimos compartir con ellos nuestra experiencia desde la banca fiduciaria en Guatemala. ¡Gracias a todos los participantes, quienes, con su compromiso y visión, continúan promoviendo el legado y la pasión empresarial de generación en generación! #JuntosSiempreHaciaAdelante
♬ sonido original - bancoindustrial
Building long-term harmony among family business partners
Argentine expert and author Martín Quirós addressed the importance of establishing future harmony among business partners in family-owned companies.
His presentation explored a defining characteristic of these organizations: one individual may simultaneously hold several roles, acting as a family member, a manager and a shareholder.
These overlapping responsibilities can shape relationships and decision-making within the company, making it important to consider how family, management and ownership interact over time.
Together, the three presentations offered different perspectives on succession, organizational development and the relationships that influence the long-term sustainability of family businesses.
Economic outlook for Guatemala in 2027
Beyond the conferences, the Family Business Summit created opportunities for discussion on issues directly affecting business families and their decisions.
One of the featured sessions was the panel “Economic Outlook for Guatemala 2027,” presented by Banco Industrial. The discussion formed part of the event's broader focus on helping business owners exchange perspectives and gain insights relevant to their companies.
Through its first edition, the Family Business Summit brought together international expertise and practical discussions around the challenges of managing, developing and sustaining family businesses across generations.
