In the round table, organized by the portal fiereitaliane.it with CFI Massimo Goldoni, on the official day of the restart of the sector, some players in the supply chain discussed the challenges related to post Covid.
The meeting organized by fiereitaliane.it was held in live streaming on June 15, the symbolic day for the restart of the exhibitions in attendance. “Italy: a 60 billion euro fair – Starting again together to enhance a strategic asset for our economy”.
At the round table, moderated by the journalist PAOLA ROTA, there was talk of the restart of the sector, strategic for the national economy and indispensable tool of the made in Italy, which annually generates tens of billions of euros in business, with CFI MASSIMO GOLDONI – President CFI, GIUSEPPE LESCE – CEO Sacmi and President of Federmacchine, CLAUDIO MARENZI – President of Pitti Immagine, SANDRO STIPA – Ceo and President of Stipal and President Asal-Assoallestimenti.
The Honorable BENEDETTA FIORINI spoke via video link, representing the Ministries of Productive Activities, Commerce and Tourism.
The objective of the round table was to set up a constructive dialogue, aimed at relaunching a sector of enormous value that we risk “handing over” to foreign competitors due to the inability to create a system.
Among the leading topics is the importance of the supply chain and the exhibition system as a fundamental strategic asset, in particular for SMEs.
Without forgetting, as underlined by the speakers at the debate, the added value presented by Italy, as recalled by CFI MASSIMO GOLDONI, “our country boasts historical, landscape, food and wine, architectural excellences … We must exploit the private and structural part because tourism d business is very important and drives the so-called “leisure” tourism. A factor that Minister Garavaglia himself understood well ”.
However, the government resources are important, as underlined by all the speakers, to whom BENEDETTA FIORINI replied, recalling how the resources exist, as well as the themes of de minimis, aid, protocols in the event of a return of the ’emergency.
However, it is precisely on these issues that consistency is required in the disbursement of those promised funds for 2020 and 2021. Because “the market has changed profoundly, as has the business model we were used to in the pre-Covid period”.
But what do you need for the restart? For SANDRO STIPA, which represents one of the sectors that has been the most affected in the trade fair system, “regularity of flows in state aid and a correction of the de minimis. On the labor front, we asked the government for a contribution exemption for the next 6 months, to safeguard the professional and human resources built up over time “.
The safety of the locations with the issues related to the European green pass and protocols for non-EU visitors with the spread of “green corridors” was at the center of the considerations.
We now need a body to coordinate the work. CFI proposes itself, as CFI MASSIMO GOLDONI declares. “We have proposed that Confindustria coordinate all the proposals that have arrived in recent months to work on future developments. We place ourselves as an operational arm taking into account the requests that come from a sector made up of many realities with different needs. Realities that represent sectors that before Covid were not included in the supply chain we represent “.
However, a change of mentality is required of the various actors, as recalled by CLAUDIO MARENZI – President of Pitti Immagine. “After the pandemic we find ourselves“ numb ”, this also due to the massive use of remote work. Less digital and therefore more presence. From our point of view, there is a lot of enthusiasm, even on the part of foreigners, to return to the fair to meet to create new socialization activities. It is a fundamental moment “.
Because digital has been fundamental and will continue to be a resource, but direct contact remains fundamental.