On January 26, at Mimit, in the presence of Minister Adolfo Urso, Aefi e IT-EX 2026 and IT-EX signed a letter of intent that follows up and develops the protocol signed in September to support the competitiveness and internationalization of the trade fair industry.
An agreement for shared representation
Strengthening collaboration between the main Italian associations, enhancing the role of trade fairs as a tool for industrial policy and the internationalization of businesses, and consolidating a united and authoritative representation. These are the objectives that Aefi e IT-EX 2026 (Italian Association of International Exhibitions) set themselves, while respecting their specific characteristics, when they signed the new document. This event marks a further step forward in the path of collaboration, defining a shared framework for work that provides for the coordination of institutional representation activities and the launch of joint working groups. In addition to evaluating a possible path towards aggregation, while respecting the specificities and organizational models of the two entities.
Aefi, aiming for a broader strategic vision
“Today’s signing represents a decisive turning point towards integration between Aefi e IT-EX 2026 and a unified representation of the Italian trade fair industry, which is fourth in the world and second in Europe,” said Aefi President Maurizio Danese. “The geopolitical scenario requires a strategic vision free from parochialism and unnecessary fragmentation. The Italian trade fair system is an essential lever for the growth of SMEs and internationalization policies in favor of exports. Furthermore, with its total turnover of 22 billion, it actively contributes to the development of local areas. From today, with IT-EX, we share common objectives to enhance the competitiveness of trade fairs and organizers in favor of the Italian System worldwide.”
IT-EX, giving the sector an even more authoritative voice
“With the signing of this letter of intent, we are taking a concrete step towards a more structured and continuous collaboration between the main representatives of the Italian trade fair system. In a complex economic and geopolitical context, trade fairs remain a fundamental tool for supporting the internationalization of businesses, particularly micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises, and for promoting Made in Italy on global markets. Strengthening dialogue and joint action with Aefi means giving the sector an even more authoritative voice in relation to institutions and creating the conditions to face future challenges together, enhancing skills, complementarity, and strategic vision,” said Raffaello Napoleone, president of IT-EX https://www.it-exhibition.com/.
Aefi e IT-EX 2026: the role of the joint committee
The letter of intent also provides for the formation of a joint coordination committee composed of 12 members—six from each of the two associations—who have already been appointed. It will be chaired by Giovanni Bozzetti, head of Fondazione Fiera Milano. The committee’s task will be to develop the operational guidelines for the collaboration and to draw up structured proposals to be submitted to the decision-making bodies of the respective associations. The main objective is to strengthen the Italian trade fair system and increase its competitiveness at an international level.
The Aefi e IT-EX 2026 committee, which will be established on February 24, will be composed of Maurizio Danese (chairman and vice-chairman of the committee) for Aefi – https://www.aefi.it/it/, Simona Rapastella (Vice President of Aefi and General Manager of FederUnacoma), Pietro Piccinetti (Coordinator of the Aefi Internationalization Commission), Antonio Bruzzone (General Manager of BolognaFiere), Maurizio Renzo Ermeti (President of IEG, Italian Exhibition Group), and Federico Bricolo (President of Veronafiere). For IT-EX: Raffaello Napoleone (President), Giovanni Bozzetti (President of Fondazione Fiera Milano), Antonio Intiglietta (Deputy Vice President of IT-EX), Roberto Foresti (Deputy General Manager of Fiera Milano), Massimiliano Pierini (Managing Director of RX Italy), and Filippo Benedetti (Head of Institutional Relations at FederlegnoArredo).