The September event

As from September, Rimini will boast a major new addition to its already famous attractions. In fact, this renowned Adriatic resort and symbol of Italian hospitality – with its fortunate mix of outstanding hotel capacity, friendly atmosphere and a reputation for flexibility in meeting its clients’ requirements – will soon feature a brand new convention centre. On Saturday 25 September, the new Rimini Palacongressi – showpiece of Convention Bureau della Riviera di Rimini – will be officially inaugurated. Designed by Volkwin Marg of Hamburg’s Studio GMP, the architect also behind Rimini’s Nuovo Quartiere Fieristico expo centre, the venue is characterized by two main bodies linked by an impressive system of foyers and tunnels covering a usable surface area of approximately 28,000 square metres. The first body, glass-clad and shaped like a shell suspended on steel uprights, houses the great 1,600-seat amphitheatre, while the second contains the plenary hall with seating capacity for up to 4,700 people. Overall, the new Rimini Palacongressi features: 11,000 square metres of exhibition space, three entrances; a 4,000 square metre foyer, 42 rooms and parking lots for 1,000 cars as well as a terminal for ten buses. 

Motivation 010, a workshop-cum-experiential campus

From 10 to 12 June Sardinia’s Emerald Coast will host the very first Motivation 010, an annual workshop promoted by Meet in Italy that will focus on the motivational aspect. During the event, the expected 100 buyers of Italian and foreign companies will come into contact with a complete and international selection of suppliers that can guarantee added value for meetings, incentive trips, seminars and conventions. These exhibitors will include convention bureaux, product clubs, conference centres, stately homes, locations and resorts from all over Europe. Not only: the workshop will also feature DMCs and service agencies specialized in team building and other highly engaging activities. Motivation 010 is a new concept event that will give you the chance to switch from theory to practice. Exhibitors will be offering buyers the chance for some hands-on experience of their proposals. Throughout the Thursday, and all morning on the Friday, the whole Colonna Resort, including its surroundings and seashore, will become an experiential campus where groups of attendees can engage in anything from sailing regattas, to wine tasting; from interactive destination presentations to excursions on quads. Friday and Saturday will then feature a more traditional workshop with pre-arranged meetings on the first day and free time in the morning of the second day.  

Welcome to the new Verona & Lago di Garda Convention Bureau  

In February a new “one-stop shop” consortium, known as “Verona & Lago di Garda Convention Bureau” was formed. Its mission: to develop and market conference and business tourism in the city and province of Verona. The company is made up of: Sviluppo Fiere spa (50% participated by the Verona Chamber of Commerce and 50% by Verona Fiere), Aeroporto Valerio Catullo, Consorzio Verona Tuttintorno along with the Verona City Council and Consorzio Lago di Garda. It will enjoy the support of the Verona City Council and a contribution of 160,000 euros from the Veneto Region, put at the disposal of the area via the Province of Verona to launch the promotion campaign. The chairman of the new convention bureau is Diego Briani (see photo), unanimously elected by the members of the Board of Administration. “I believe that this new territorial marketing agency can contribute to the economic development of the city and its province and to promoting the local entrepreneurial framework”, stated the new chairman, who is enthusiastically setting the area’s tourist economy an exciting new professional challenge.