Conferenze e Fiere

🍺 BBTech Expo and Beer&Food Attraction, organized by Italian Exhibition Group, ran from February 16 to 18 at the Rimini Fiera. The event showcased the technological supply chain of beverages and beer, attracting 600 exhibitors from Italy, Germany, the UK, Spain, and Belgium. The 2025 edition drew in 130 foreign buyers from 47 countries, including a strong European presence from Spain, Finland, Poland, Czech Republic, Denmark, and Sweden, and a notable participation from Canada. The event offered opportunities for business and networking, supported by ICE Agenzia and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

🍺 Venturo Aperitivo Mediterraneo debuts at Beer&Food Attraction in Rimini, February 16-18, 2024. An innovative Mediterranean-inspired turquoise liqueur was launched in 2024 to revolutionize the aperitif ritual, with Italian lemons, sea salt, rosemary, and blue chamomile. Luca Bruni, Italy's Best Bartender, to feature at Nécessaire in Rimini on February 17. Venturo's bottle design reflects Italian elegance and style, with a simple 1:1:1 recipe for Venturo Spritz. Over two years of research produced Venturo, a super-premium product in a growing aperitif market where one in four drinks in Italy is an aperitif (Circana MAT, December 2023). Retail price: €19.50.

💝 Maestro Panificatore Matteo Cunsolo from La Panetteria di Parabiago has crafted a special heart-shaped maritozzo for Valentine's Day, available from February 10 for pre-order. Matteo Cunsolo, President of Richemont Club Italia and Associazione Panificatori Confcommercio di Milano e Province, is known for promoting artisanal baking quality. Contact La Panatteria via WhatsApp at 3385434922 for orders.

🍫 Pernigotti e Walcor to attend ISM 2025 in Cologne, Germany on February 2nd. Owned by JP Morgan and Invitalia since 2022, they've seen a 15% increase in export turnover in 2024, distributing to 45 countries. Gabriele Oddo aims to expand in the US and Europe, focusing on innovation amidst rising cocoa/chocolate prices. At ISM 2025, they'll introduce new products, including Gianduiotti and Cremini pralines and new spreadable creams, targeting the gifting sector.

💎 Grand Hotel Adriatico offers a Valentine's Day package in Florence with a romantic room, breakfast, chocolates, Prosecco, and piano bar aperitif, plus massage discounts. Hotel Nasco in Milan provides a 10% discount, breakfast in bed, and potential free upgrades. Minos Palace features luxury suites with private pools, and Shivas Galaxy Hotel promotes with a GIF countdown, 50% discounts, and free meal upgrades. Hotel Viest in Vicenza has a wellness-focused package with a Relax double room, SPA access, and couple's Thai massage. These strategies aim to increase direct bookings and enhance the romantic holiday experience.

🍷 Fedegroup, an Italian hospitality industry leader, has partnered with renowned winery Perla del Garda, entering the high-quality wine sector. The collaboration aims to combine passion and professionalism to offer unique culinary experiences, reflecting the excellence of Italian enogastronomy. Perla del Garda produces 250,000 bottles annually, including Lugana and Garda DOP, from their 48-hectare vineyard between Desenzano and Sirmione, and Valtènesi DOP between Padenghe and Soiano. An exclusive event on February 14 at Caffè Pedrocchi in Padova will kick off the partnership, with more initiatives planned throughout 2025 in locations like Milan and Rome.

🎢 Adventures by Disney launches a new river cruise itinerary in Southern France starting 2026. Reservations open February 10 for past guests and February 12 for the general public. Departures from Lyon on the AmaKristina, operated by AmaWaterways, include five dates, one for adults only. The 8-day journey from Lyon to Provence features a Ratatouille-inspired culinary tour. Activities include chocolate-making, juice-tasting, and prehistoric cave painting workshops. Guided by Disney-trained companions, the cruise visits Lyon, Tournon, Viviers, Avignon, Arles, and Marseille, with highlights like the UNESCO-listed Pont du Gard, Train de l’Ardeche, and pétanque in Viviers. The inaugural trip is on June 4, 2026.

🎢 Costa Crociere partners with the Festival di Sanremo for the fourth year, featuring the Costa Toscana as a floating stage on February 15 during the finale with Planet Funk performing. From February 8-15, the Music Cruise will visit Barcelona, Marseille, and Rome, offering events like 'Waves of Music', fireworks, and Radio Deejay's 'Deejay Time'. Gigi D’Agostino will perform on February 14. The company promotes Sea & Land Destinations cruises and a special 'Free Drinks' offer until March 3. Costa Crociere sponsors the digital edition of TTG Today, available from February 10.

🏅 Milan's Mayor Beppe Sala highlighted the inclusive nature of the Milan Cortina 2026 Olympic Games, mentioning that 57% of tickets would cost under 100 euros. The sports facilities, including the Cortina bobsled track, are on schedule to be completed in time for the event. However, accommodation remains expensive, with a day in Cortina during the women's downhill event estimated to cost at least 1,500 euros, Livigno 900 euros, and Anterselva 400 euros. Transportation and road infrastructure, like the new tunnels on State Road 48 of the Dolomites, are central concerns for the games.

📍 On May 16, Air Canada will launch a new non-stop flight from Naples Capodichino to Montreal, marking the first direct connection between the Campania airport and Canada with four weekly flights. The service complements existing seasonal flights to New York-JFK, New York-Newark, and Philadelphia by American Airlines, Delta, and United, with United resuming its twice-daily flights from April 4. Air Canada will operate the Naples route with Boeing 787-800 aircraft, seating up to 255 passengers.