IMPROVING ENERGY EFFICIENCY AND TRADE FAIR DISTRICT FACILITIES AT THE HEART OF THE AEFI TECHNICAL COMMITTEE’S ACTIVITY

The AEFI Technical Committee, coordinated by Giovanni Giuliani, met recently at BolognaFiere in Bologna, Italy. Two items were on the agenda on the day of the meeting: improving energy efficiency and trade fair system efficiency, and an update on the discussion with INAIL, regarding worker safety and prevention in exhibition set-up.

Regarding the first phase – coordinated by Nazario Pedini, Rimini Fiera Technical Director, concerning Energy efficiency improvements and trade fair systems – the AEFI Technical Committee heard contributions from Mirco De Silvestri, Rimini Fiera Energy Manager, and Luca Mamprin,Technical Director of IN.TE.SO Engineering and certified Energy Management Expert, who, after approaching the issue from a legislative point of view and describing the energy policies, went on to illustrate the guidelines for the energy certification of buildings. In particular, the technical aspects and mandatory requirements of the Attestato di Prestazione Energetica (APE, Energy Performance Certificate) and the Diagnosi Energetica (DE, Energy Diagnosis) were examined.

During the meeting, the role of the Energy Manager in corporate strategy was highlighted. The Energy Manager is a role set out by current legislation, tasked not only with facilitating more efficient energy consumption, but also with analysing and implementing economic aspects to encourage potential savings.

The Technical Commission then focused on trade fair energy efficiency – required as a result of the Ministerial Decree of 06/26/2015 on new constructions, major expansions and renovations – which must optimise consumption and management and maintenance costs, in addition, of course, to increasing the reliability and durability of the systems themselves.
 The two speakers explained the different types of efficiency improvement available, system maintenance and related tax incentives with respect to the various forms set out by Italian legislation, which include white certificates, the thermal energy bill, the 65% tax deduction and the 140% super-amortisation.

The speakers ended by illustrating the technical legislation concerning trade fairs and stands, and explaining the statements of conformity (DICO), the training of personnel (PES – authorised persons, PAV – informed persons, and PEI – competent persons) and the use of LED lighting systems.

During the second part of the meeting, the AEFI Technical Committee updated on the current activity with INAIL, in partnership with ASAL and CFI, regarding the issue of safety and prevention for employees involved in the setting up of trade fairs, urging members to further reflect in order to promote and develop a culture of prevention and safety at work; a particularly important topic for the exhibition sector which sees the involvement of a large number of people during each different stage of the exhibition set-up.

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 1000 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.