Marmomac Hosts 51K Visitors for 2023
VERONA and BOLOGNA, Italy – Marmomac and Cersaie, the annual international natural-stone and ceramic events, both drew healthy attendance during their annual late September runs this year.
Marmomac, the longtime international exhibition for the natural stone supply chain, received more than 51,000 visitors – a 10% increase from 2022 — during its Sept. 26-29 run at Veronafiere in Verona.
Meanwhile, the Cersaie tile-and-bathroom-furnishings expo in Bologna celebrated its 40th edition by coming tantalizingly close to 100,000 in attendance at BolognaFiere in Bologna on Sept. 25-29.
Marmomac benefited from the final opening of all borders for travel after the COVID-19 pandemic. Utilizing all its 12 show halls and three outdoor areas over 76,000 m² (818,057 ft²), the event set a record for international vendor participation with 68.5% of 1,507 exhibitors arriving from 54 different countries.
Two-thirds of overall attendance came from outside Italy, according to Maurizio Danese, Veronafierea managing director, marking a 15% increase from last year.
“The Americas turned in a great performance with 29%, thanks to significant increases in arrivals from the United States, Canada and Brazil,” he added. “There was also the great return by China and fine participation from Europe, especially Germany, Spain and France.”
Danese credited the cooperation of government and industry groups for the increased global participation.
“Marmomac 2023 was achieved thanks to a magnificent team effort,” he said. “We were involved right from the end of last show in major incoming activity to attract international operators through synergies with the Ministry of Business and Made in Italy and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, as well as Italian embassies and consulates around the world.
“If operators from 138 countries travelled to Veronafiere, all this is thanks to the long-term preparation in which we have always enjoyed the fundamental support of ICE Trade Agency, which provided finance for incoming buyers, and Confindustria Marmomacchine. There was also huge commitment by our international organization: our delegates and companies operating in China and Brazil.”
Cersaie, meanwhile, came ever-so-close to the 100K mark, drawing 99,319 visitors for its five-day opening, up 8.8% from 2022. International visitors accounted for 48% (47,634), including 396 non-Italian journalists.
Occupying an exhibit space of 145,000 m² (1.5 million ft²) in 15 halls, the 633 exhibitors included 245 vendors (395) from 27 countries outside Italy.
“Despite challenging market conditions, Cersaie’s strong appeal has enabled exhibiting companies to maximize their investment and strengthen their links with Italian and international distributors, architects, installers and real estate professionals,” said Giovanni Savorani, chairman of Confindustria Ceramica. “Italian ceramic products continue to be renowned in international markets for their intrinsic characteristics such as health, hygiene, durability and sustainability.”
The Cersaie Business delegation, organized with the collaboration of the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation MAECI and the Italian Trade Agency ITA, saw the participation of more than 250 professionals from Europe, North America, and the Gulf region, according to Emilio Mussini, vice chairman of Confindustria Ceramica and head of Promotional Activities and Trade Fairs.
Marmomac 2024 will be held next Sept. 24-27 in Verona, and Cersaie will stage next year’s event on Sept. 23-27.
