Conferenze e Fiere

🏢 Italy ranks first in Europe and second worldwide for international conferences held in 2023, projecting the same for 2024. Italian Knowledge Leaders' fourth edition, by Convention Bureau Italia with the support of the Conference of Italian University Rectors, reports these findings. Italy excels in large conferences (over 500 people) with a conversion rate of nearly 40%, second in Europe after Spain (47%), and ahead of France (33%). In 2023, Italy led with 553 conferences, followed by Spain (505) and France (472). For 2024, Italy is also first with a scheduled 540 conferences, outpacing Germany and Spain, each with 459. This sector contributes approximately 20% to national tourism flow, with 81 Italians becoming presidents of international associations in 2024. However, only 10% of conferences and 13% of venues are in southern Italy.

🎂 VI edizione di Panettone Maximo si terrà il 1 dicembre 2024, a Roma Eur, Salone delle Fontane (11:00-20:00). Con oltre 3.000 presenze nell'edizione precedente, l'evento natalizio ospiterà 88 panettoni artigianali in gara, oltre 70 banchi di assaggio, e show cooking con pastry chef stellati. Una giuria di maestri pasticceri e critici enogastronomici giudicherà la competizione, che include il premio per il “Miglior Panettone Gourmet”. La finale sarà presentata dalla giornalista Barbara Politi.

🎭 MUMAC, part of the Cimbali Group, hosts the seventh edition of "Prima Diffusa" in collaboration with Comune di Milano, Edison, and Teatro alla Scala, featuring over 30 events in Milan and its metropolitan areas. The initiative aims to make the opera "La forza del destino" by Giuseppe Verdi, first performed in 1862 in St. Petersburg and at La Scala in 1869, accessible to a wider audience. It will be conducted by Maestro Riccardo Chailly and directed by Leo Muscato, inaugurating the 2024/2025 Opera and Ballet season. The event includes an introduction by music historian Marco Targa and requires pre-booking at mumac.it. Opera begins at 18:00, with museum doors opening at 17:00 for accreditation.

☕ Korean barista Lee Hyung Wook won the Espresso Italiano Champion 2024 title on November 26 in Milan at IEI Connect 2024, besting Filipino Darwin Pontanos and Italian Ilaria Izzo. President Luigi Morello of the Istituto Espresso Italiano highlights the event's role in promoting espresso culture. The competition featured machines provided by La San Marco and the winner received a scholarship for further education.

🍰 "Una Mole di Panettoni" returns to Hotel Principi di Piemonte, Turin, from November 29 to December 1, 2024. Thirty master bakers will compete in three categories for a score up to 10 points. The event welcomes Luca Argentero's 1 CAFFE’ ONLUS, Consorzio Tutela Brachetto d’Acqui DOCG as the main sponsor, and features Ecopack, Goeldlin, and Agrimontana as partners. The competition is supported by Ascom, the Chamber of Commerce of Turin, and Turismo Torino e Provincia.

🎂 The 27th edition of "Dolci Terre di Novi" will take place in Novi Ligure at the exhibition center from December 6-8, 2024. The event will feature excellence in confectionery, wine, and gastronomy with free entry and showcases over 80 exhibitors. Highlights include show cookings by chefs Diego Bongiovanni on December 6, Simone Rugiati on December 7, and Barbara Agosti on December 8. There are also workshops for children, a Christmas market, and a partnership with the Ciampini – Boccardo school institute.

🍷 Anteprima VitignoItalia 2025 concluded on November 25 with over 2,000 visitors, including 400 trade operators, at the Hotel Excelsior in Naples. The event showcased 500 wine labels from over 100 wineries, emphasizing the diversity of Italian wine heritage with varieties from regions like Campania, Chianti, Valpolicella, and Friuli DOC. The edition also featured an educational tour, foreign press activities, and a focus on food excellence, attracting five journalists from Germany, Austria, U.K., and Poland.

🏠 Billecart-Salmon, a family-owned champagne house for over 200 years, was featured at an event in Naples hosted by L'Antiquario. Brand Ambassador Gil Grigliatti, working with Velier in Italy, shared the history and uniqueness of the maison, including its survival through wars and the Great Depression. Founded in 1818, the seventh generation continues to operate the house, which is rare for its independence and consistent family ownership. With a production of under 2 million bottles, Billecart-Salmon is a staple in well-stocked Italian wine shops.

🍷 Montina Franciacorta offers a range of wines, including Satèn, Rosé Demi Sec, Rosé Extra Brut, Quor Nature, and the new Dosage Zéro, each with recommended food pairings. The Franciacorta Satèn, made from Chardonnay grapes, is ideal for fish and white meats. The Rosé Demi Sec pairs with cheeses and desserts, while the Rosé Extra Brut complements grilled meats and spicy cheeses. The Quor Nature, a premium blend, suits rich dishes like roast beef with tuna sauce. The Dosage Zéro, appreciated for its lively acidity, is versatile with seafood, white meats, and fresh cheeses. Montina celebrates the Dosage Zéro release with an event on December 7-8, 2024, featuring guided tours and tastings of traditional local specialties. The company also offers Christmas gift collections, pairing wines with artisanal panettone, Bagòss cheese, and quality rice, presented in elegant packages combining tradition and modernity, and year-round guided cellar tours for immersive experiences.