Competitive Trade Fairs means Training
AEFI, the Italian Exhibition and Trade Fair Association, has taken part in the 4th Italo–German Economic Forum entitled “Didacta-Training for the Future” held today at Palazzo Chigi.
The event was honoured by the Medal of the President of the Italian Republic and the support of the European Policy Department of the Prime Minister’s Office, Unioncamere (Chambers of Commerce Union) and Assocamerestero (Union of Italian Chambers of Commerce Abroad).
The Forum was an important occasion for dialogue between the economies and cultures of the two countries, Italy and Germany, and the contributions of the speakers generated starting points for reflection and encouraged improvement and development of competence and of the training process.
Training was at the centre of the debate. For AEFI, which has always actively promoted recognition of the strategic value of the trade fair system, training is a linchpin of its activity.
In his contribution, AEFI Chairman Ettore Riello stressed that “to remain competitive, our Trade Fairs must be capable of innovation, offering additional services and increasingly modern exhibition districts and staying up to date on the strategies adopted by bodies, districts and exhibition sites in Italy and abroad. This makes constant exchange concerning the experiences of various countries essential.”
The growing number of trade fairs organised in Italy each year confirms the significance of this issue: more than twenty of primary importance that are gaining ever greater attention from exhibitors and visitors. As of next year, the calendar will gain a new exhibition, Didacta, and Chairman Riello commented: “we are pleased that the organisers chose Italy and an AEFI-member district.”
The Government’s “Industry 4.0” Plan too, which sets out the guidelines for development, dedicates particular attention to training, a strategic area for generating new skills and competence, above all in relation to high-level training anddigital and managerial competence.
“Precisely to reinforce and actualise competences within our sector, as AEFI we periodically organise teaching sessions in technical, legal and commercial areas, with a focus on internationalisation and digitalisation,” added Riello.
As further confirmation of its commitment, AEFI has supported a culture of trade fair planning since 2013 though the 2nd-level Master’s in “Touch Fair Architecture & Exhibit Space” organised by the IUAV University in Venice, with which it reaffirms its active role in supporting and developing the trade fair sector, including through a constant focus on the training of new professionals and the creation of solid, high-level expertise.
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: Exhibition Hub Technical Committee, Administrative-Legal Committee, Internationalisation Committee and Trade Fairs Network Committee.
On an international scale, AEFI represents Italian trade fairs in UFI – Union of International Fairs. Chaired by Ettore Riello, AEFI includes 35 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.
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