Global finance is investing in trade fairs. And Italy (for now) remains on the sidelines.
In 8 weeks, more capital was allocated than in the last 8 years. The Italian system, linked to the territories, is studying how to intercept this trend.
The Italian trade fair industry has experienced significant growth, with a 10% increase in revenue to €2.1 billion in 2025, and a 35% increase compared to 2019. Despite predictions that technology would replace in-person events, the industry has thrived, with investors such as those from Wall Street Journal and Financial Times showing interest.
Four major trade fair groups were sold in eight weeks for between $1.5 and $1.8 billion. Italian and German trade fair industries, which rank fourth and third globally, are currently not involved in these transactions due to their focus on local business promotion. Experts suggest that Italy may need to adapt to changes in the industry, possibly through partnerships or changes in ownership structure.
Written by urgent.news from Il Sole 24 Ore's report — not a translation of it. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
