2021: When will trade fairs reopen in Italy?

In questo articolo

unfold_less unfold_more

When will trade fairs reopen in Italy? Is it possible to organize in-person trade fairs in 2021? Many Italian and international companies have been waiting for a definite answer to these questions for over a year. Measures adopted worldwide to counter the Covid-19 pandemic have frozen trade fairs, conferences, conventions, meetings, festivals, and even postponed the 2020 Olympics in Japan indefinitely.

Between 23 February and 31 July 2020, 88 international and 93 national events were cancelled (source: Associazione Esposizioni e Fiere Italiane, AEFI).

Trade fair organizers had to completely reorganize their event calendars. Those who could moved exhibitions online, but many had to cancel events, awaiting the possibility to restart with more certainty.

Finally, after many months, there is good news: in-person trade fairs will certainly reopen!

Trade fair reopening in Italy: there is a date!

From 15 June 2021, in yellow zones, in-person trade fairs are allowed to take place, following protocols for virus containment measures. Before 15 June, event preparation is permitted as long as there is no public attendance; from 1 July 2021, in-person conferences and conventions are also permitted.

These dates are indicated for the resumption of trade fairs and meetings in Italy according to decree-law 22 April 2021 no. 52 “Urgent measures for the gradual resumption of economic and social activities while respecting the need to contain the spread of the COVID-19 epidemic.”

Details on the reopening are found in article 7 of the decree:

From 15 June 2021, in yellow zones, the in-person holding of trade fairs is permitted, respecting the protocols and guidelines adopted pursuant to article 1, paragraph 14, of decree-law no. 33 of 2020, maintaining the possibility to carry out preparatory activities not involving public attendance even earlier. Entry into national territory to participate in the fairs referred to in this paragraph is permitted, subject to obligations relating to the foreign territory of origin.
The guidelines mentioned in paragraph 1 may provide, for specific events referred to in the same paragraph, that access is reserved only to individuals with COVID-19 Green certifications as per article 9.
From 1 July 2021, in yellow zones, conferences and conventions are also permitted, respecting protocols and guidelines adopted pursuant to article 1, paragraph 14, of decree-law no. 33 of 2020.

In-person trade fairs already confirmed for 2021: from Cibus, through SANA, to Milan Fashion Week

Here are some trade fairs that will take place in 2021 in person:

Cibus 2021: the 20th International Food Exhibition will be held at the Parma Fair District from 31 August to 3 September 2021
SANA 2021: the 33rd international exhibition of organic and natural products will be held at the Bologna Fair District from 9 to 12 September 2021
OnBeauty by Cosmoprof Worldwide Bologna will run concurrently with SANA and Cosmofarma Exhibition at the Bologna Fair District from 9 to 12 September 2021
LINEAPELLE 2021: the international exhibition of leather, accessories, components, fabrics, synthetics and models will be held at FIERAMILANO Rho from 22 to 24 September 2021
Milan Fashion Week SS 2021: the spring-summer 2021 shows will be held online and live from 22 to 28 September 2021.

Trade fair sector figures in Italy

According to the Associazione Esposizioni e Fiere Italiane (AEFI), business worth 60-80 billion euros is concluded annually at trade fairs, and 50% of Italian companies’ exports originate directly from contacts made at these events.

“Italian trade fairs are an extremely important tool for our economy. Each year the Italian sector involves approximately 200,000 exhibitors and 20 million visitors across 1,000 trade events. With 2,304,748 sq m of covered exhibition space, we rank as the 4th country worldwide after China, the United States, and Germany. Total exhibition space amounts to 4,200,000 square meters. This year 224 international and 234 national events were planned, nearly one thousand in total. AEFI members host 96% of international events and organize 50% of them. Trade fairs are truly an instrument of industrial and promotional policy for the country.” This is how the AEFI President Maurizio Danese’s statement begins at the Chamber of Deputies Committee on Productive Activities (Rome, 3 November 2020).

According to 75.3% of companies, trade fairs are essential for their development, both because they allow direct market contact and because these events are opportunities to communicate competence during active customer prospecting.

This sector is also important for the entire supply chain connected to organising trade fairs, involving companies actively engaged in staging the events – installers, catering businesses, logistics and so on – as well as local businesses: hotels, B&Bs, transport.

Therefore, it is clear that reopening trade fairs in Italy is essential not only for the organizations themselves but also for the economic fabric connected to them.

Exhibiting at trade fairs in 2021? Here are some tips for packaging your promotional giveaways

If you plan to exhibit at trade fairs in 2021, besides your booth, you will almost certainly be looking for the most suitable promotional giveaway to leave with your visitors.

From the classic water bottle to headphones, as well as office accessories, giveaways – along with catalogs and brochures – are your company’s business card. So, they cannot be missing!

But where can you put them to avoid making recipients carry everything in their hands?

You need a package for your promotional giveaways: packaging that is convenient, lightweight, durable and that reflects your company’s identity.

Custom fabric bags are a classic solution in these cases.

Among the most suitable for trade fairs and conferences, the custom cotton shopper bag with logo is certainly the most chosen model. Timeless because it is simple and durable, the long-handled shopper easily holds catalogs and giveaways. Moreover, recipients can reuse it many times.

Here is an example. This natural cotton shopper bag customised with gold screen printing is simple yet elegant, perfect for companies in the fashion, cosmetics and food sectors: