AEFI AND FEDERCONGRESSI&EVENTI PRESENT THE “SHARE” PROJECT
On 2 April in the Palazzo Re Enzo, as part of the 9th annual Federcongressi&Eventi Convention, Bologna hosted the first seminar of “Share”, the project developed and run by the AEFI and Federcongressi&Eventi that aims to explore practice and expertise in the world of conferences and trade fairs.
“Share” is one of the activities envisaged by the memorandum of understanding signed in October between Federcongressi&Eventi and the AEFI, an agreement that marked a turning point in the Italian meeting industry, which, for the first time in Italy, saw the two leading lights of the “MICE” industry enter into a formal partnership.
Conference events and trade fairs represent two worlds that to date have been on parallel journeys but that can come together to generate an expansion in knowledge and opportunities.
The session dedicated to “Share”, with the meeting “Sowing expertise, reaping business. Trade fairs and events, two convergent worlds” was an occasion to explore issues of interest to the two sectors of trade fairs and conferences, thanks to the contribution of a substantial gathering of experts.
Starting from the presentation and analysis of two case histories, the meeting – moderated by Gabriella Ghigi of Meeting Consultants – offered an opportunity to pool ideas and experience, starting points for innovation in typical activities as well as collaboration and new business ideas.
After the introduction from Stefania Agostini, Director of the Riviera di Rimini Convention Bureau of Rimini Fiera, work proceeded with the presentation of the case histories: in her contribution, “Trade fairs look to the future”, Patrizia Cecchi – Manager of the F&B and Wellness Business Unit, Rimini Fiera/AEFI – illustrated the case of “Riminiwellness”, while Rosangela Quieti – Managing Director at AIM Group International, Congress Division – together with Gaia Santoro – Project Manager, AIM Group International – related the case of SIAARTI: synergy between PCO and client to boost participation.
Alessandra Albarelli of Riva del Garda Fierecongressi proceeded to highlight the activities common to trade fairs and conferences: creating commercial and business relationships. Albarelli also proposed a theme for the next meeting: “The industrial districts that gave life to trade fairs: their role today and how they can assist the development of trade fairs and events”.
After stressing the fundamental importance of the agreement with Federcongressi&Eventi, since the two associations not only operate in the same locations but have the same primary objective of bringing visitors and development to Italy, Loredana Sarti, AEFI General Secretary, presented the Association, its mission and its objectives. Loredana Sarti then reminded those present of the value of the Italian trade fair system, highlighting the fact that 50% of exports by Italian companies have been generated by Trade Fairs and that the tool of the fair represents the sole means of promotion outside of the country for 75% of Italian SMEs.
The meeting in Bologna was also a chance to talk about the First Global Exhibitions Day on 8 June, what the AEFI is organising, and to seek out synergies and collaborations that can extend the impact of this event.
AEFI – the Italian Exhibition and Trade Fair Association – was set up in 1983 with a view to generating synergies between the most significant Italian exhibition districts. Specifically, AEFI would like to be seen as a privileged partner for operators and institutions alike, and its role is to support members through the development of activities and programmes in the sphere of training, marketing, promotion and research, as well as to provide services for trade fairs through the activities of its Committees: the Exhibition Hub Technical Committee, the Administrative-Legal Committee, the Trade Fairs Network Committee, the IT and Technical Innovation Committee, and the new Initiatives and Programmes Committee.
On an international scale, AEFI represents Italian trade fairs in UFI – Union of International Fairs. Chaired by Ettore Riello, AEFI includes 34 member exhibition districts, which organise over 1,000 events a year over an overall exhibition area of 4.2 million square metres. Most international trade fairs, and 85% of all trade fairs, which take place each year in Italy, are held in AEFI-member exhibition districts.