Italy’s leading exhibition industry bodies have taken a decisive step toward deeper collaboration, marking a new chapter for the country’s trade fair ecosystem. A Joint Coordination Committee between AEFI – Italian Exhibition and Trade Fair Association and IT-EX Italian Association of International Exhibitions convened in Milan this week, in the presence of Adolfo Urso, Minister of Enterprise and Made in Italy.
The meeting signaled the beginning of a structured partnership designed to reinforce Italy’s national trade fair system and enhance its competitiveness in global markets. Minister Urso described the initiative as a turning point, emphasizing the strategic importance of exhibitions as platforms for businesses, drivers of industrial policy, and instruments for expanding Italy’s international presence. He pointed to 2025 export figures—up 3.3% to a record €643 billion—as proof of the sector’s growing impact.
Giovanni Bozzetti, President of the Committee and head of Fondazione Fiera Milano, highlighted the need for unity within the exhibition landscape. He stressed that stronger synergy among trade fairs is essential to support small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), micro-enterprises, and to further promote the value of Made in Italy worldwide.
Vice-presidents Maurizio Danese (AEFI) and Raffaello Napoleone (IT-EX) reaffirmed their commitment to building a unified representation of the sector and strengthening dialogue with both national and international institutions.
Key priorities emerging from the discussions include the creation of a single representative entity for the exhibition system, positioning trade fairs as strategic assets within industrial policy, and advancing critical themes such as internationalisation, tourism, digitalisation, and artificial intelligence.
The meeting delivered a strong message of cohesion and shared ambition—aimed at boosting Italy’s competitiveness and reinforcing the global projection of Made in Italy through a more coordinated exhibition strategy.
