Rome 2026 Convention Highlights
The EASA Europe, Asia & Africa Chapter Convention 2026 took place in Rome from 1–3 October, bringing together around 160 participants from 77 organisations across 25 countries at the A.Roma Lifestyle Hotel. Under the theme “The Power of Collaboration,” the event showed the value of an international community where members openly share their expertise, learn from different approaches, and help one another address the challenges of the electromechanical service industry.
EASA EAA President Edwin den Breejen and General Manager Frédéric Beghain opened the conference programme with an invitation to participate actively. This emphasis on contribution set the tone for the discussions that followed.
It was particularly meaningful to welcome EASA International Chairman Mathis Menzel (Menzel, Germany) as a member of our own Chapter. Connecting his theme, “Stronger Together,” with “The Power of Collaboration,” he explained how a larger international network gives members access to more experience, ideas, and solutions, while strengthening the industry’s voice. He emphasised that knowledge must travel in both directions: Europe, Asia and Africa have valuable expertise to contribute to the global EASA community. His address also highlighted investment in education and workforce development, alongside the potential of technology to make technical knowledge more accessible across languages.
Bastiaan van de Laar, CFO of Team Visma | Lease a Bike, Netherlands, brought a different perspective through his keynote on data-driven strategy in elite cycling. He explored how data supports decisions about performance and investment, while questioning whether organisations measure the right things and distinguish correlation from causality. An example was the team’s approach to investing in the environment around its riders—from nutrition and equipment to coaching and test facilities—to improve performance across the team.
The collaboration workshop then placed members’ own experience at the centre of the programme. Cédric Dockendorf (EASA EAA, Luxembourg) and Saqib Saeed (Cognito – PTR’s Expert Network, Germany) introduced research on customer expectations and electrification trends, asking participants to challenge the findings against what they see in their businesses. The research provided plenty to discuss: 47% of EMEA and Asia respondents were repairing more motors than two years earlier, with speed and diagnostic capability among customers’ key selection criteria. Meanwhile, 72% of survey respondents expected their share of electrification work to grow over the next three years, but only 9% considered themselves very ready to capture it. Across three rounds of 20-minute discussions, members considered how to respond and where EASA could support them. The group takeaways will be compiled into a written summary to help identify practical actions for members, the Chapter, and its committees.
Derry Sheehan (Avonmore Electrical, Ireland) and Shaun Sutton (Central Group, UK) extended the peer-learning theme through their experience of the Roving Chief Executive (RCE) programme. Small groups of non-competing owners and managers meet regularly to discuss business issues in confidence and learn from one another. One group has been doing so since 2018, connecting seven EASA member organisations across Europe, Asia and the Americas.
The technical programme combined practical repair cases with developments affecting maintenance. Martin Killeen (EASA9 Ex Trainer, UK) presented important updates on IEC Ex, while Kirk Belian (QAZ International, Saudi Arabia) shared a case involving the emergency repair of a 13.8 kV alternator.
Flaviano Santia’ de Carvalho (WEG, Portugal) examined the maintenance of permanent magnet synchronous motors. While smaller motors can follow the same disassembly and assembly procedures as induction motors, larger frame sizes require dedicated procedures and special tools. He also addressed magnetic hazards during rotor handling, the risk of demagnetisation, winding and insulation testing, and the need for qualified personnel. Correct drive settings and testing with a properly adjusted VSD were further points of attention.
Andrew Maat (Noctua, Netherlands) explored Digital Product Passports and what the DPP and Cyber Resilience Act mean for repair and maintenance. Eric Soler (Servomotors Adjust, Spain) focused on how root-cause investigations can turn individual repairs into reusable engineering knowledge. Wojciech Betlej (Quartzelec, UK) contributed insights on detecting vibration spark erosion, while Richard Emery (PPI Engineering, UK) addressed the replacement of a fire-damaged generator.
Preserving expertise within a business was the focus of Tracy Queen (ICC International, USA), who addressed what happens when experienced employees leave an organisation. The EASA EAA Chapter Marketing Committee brought collaboration into the discussion of business visibility, exploring the shift from marketing to an audience towards marketing with others.
Updates from Chapter committees and working groups outlined ongoing activities and projects. The Annual General Meeting marked an important moment for the Chapter’s leadership, with Shaun Sutton (Central Group, UK) appointed Treasurer and Neil Gallant (Neurotronic, UK) appointed Vice President.
A highlight of the convention was the announcement of Huseyn Aliyev from Glensol, Baku, Azerbaijan, as the 2026 recipient of the EASA Karsten Moholt Exceptional Achievement Award.
We thank our expert speakers, dedicated volunteers, generous sponsors, and all participants for their contributions to the Rome convention. Their involvement gave practical meaning to “The Power of Collaboration,” creating opportunities to put shared knowledge to work within their businesses and across the Chapter.