Conferenze e Fiere

🍨 The Coppa Italia di Gelateria, organized by the Associazione Italiana Gelatieri, is touring Italy with the 2025 edition. Competitions began on February 23 with the Carnevale di Putignano's "Fantasia di Mandorla" contest. Tuscany hosted three prestigious events: Carrara's hazelnut competition on February 23, Versilia's pistachio sorbet challenge on February 24, and the "Premio Tirreno Ct" walnut flavor contest on February 25. Winners qualify for finals in Rome at "Excellence 2025." Piemonte hosted the "Concorso Mole d'Oro" in Turin on February 27, focused on chocolate/gianduia flavors. The top competitor also earns a spot in the 2026 Gelatiere dell’Anno competition at Sigep in Rimini. Related events in Turin included 'Il Fondente chetogenico’ demos, chocolate and gianduia tasting, and the debate "Il gelato Italiano come Brand Ambassador del Turismo Esperienziale".

🌎 Pantelleria's municipality established the 'Isola di Pantelleria' foundation to promote culture and tourism. Myrta Merlino, a journalist, chairs the administrative board, emphasizing the island's sustainability and cross-cultural dialogue. Mayor Fabrizio D’Ancona is satisfied with Merlino's appointment, which aligns with the foundation's strategic vision. A landmark achievement is the partnership with Ita Airways for direct flights to Pantelleria, enhancing tourism access in 2025.

📒 HospitalitySud, the 6th edition exhibition for hotel and extra-hotel sector services, concluded successfully at the Stazione Marittima di Napoli, confirming its status as the leading hospitality event in Southern Italy. Organized by Leader srl, it showcased a wide range of merchandise from courtesy items to professional electronics, including representation from various Italian regions and countries like Spain and the U.S. The event featured 100 speakers across 32 meetings and seminars, free for visitors, with professional speeches, update seminars, and meetings organized by professional orders and associations. The "Castellano-Guglielmo" award honored four under-40 professionals in 2025, and training sessions were conducted by experts like Marco Volpe and Giovanni Maugeri. HospitalitySud enjoyed patronage from Naples' Municipality and Campania Region, with digital market pioneer Blastness as the official partner.

🍷 "Vigneti Aperti" starts from March, blending wine discovery with nature trails suitable for outdoor lovers, families, and the curious. The initiative runs monthly until October, led by the Movimento Turismo del Vino, and includes "Wine Trekking" routes. Camper travelers can find stops at wineries via Agricamper Italia. The ISMEA 2024 report indicates 40% of wine lovers seek relaxing activities, 30% prefer active experiences, and 20% of MTV wineries offer parking areas. A partnership between MTV and Agricamper Italia aims at sustainable enotourism, with 66% of enotourists choosing renewable energy companies and 68% supporting local communities. Enotourism stats for 2023 show €6 billion in revenue, 11 million arrivals, and 70 million stays.

🍕 On March 11th at 20:30, Michelin-starred Chef Peppe Guida from Antica Osteria di Nonna Rosa in Vico Equense and bar manager Alexander Frezza from L'Antiquario in Naples collaborated at Salvatore Salvo's pizzeria in Riviera di Chiaia, Naples. The event, "Chef in pizzeria," featured a series of pizzas paired with signature cocktails. Guida introduced innovative dishes like Marinara a Monte Faito with porcini mushrooms and Monte Faito's fresh woodland flavors, while Frezza crafted complementary drinks such as the Haiti Punch and Milk Punch. The spring event series will continue on April 23rd with 3-star Michelin Chef Fabrizio Mellino.

🍽 TUTTOFOOD 2025, an international trade show, managed by Fiere di Parma for the first time, is set to become a global sourcing hub for food & beverage products. With less than 80 days to the event, a roadshow including "The Italian Aperitivo" in Dubai highlights the exhibition's international reach. Parmigiano Reggiano, aiming to be a global icon, saw a 36% sales increase in the Gulf area in 2024, totaling 200 tons. Italian exports to the UAE grew by 6% in early 2024, reaching €344 million, with dairy products up 36% (€30 million), beverages and spirits up 32% (€29 million), and bakery goods up 23% (€55 million). TUTTOFOOD Milano will offer immersive business experiences across various food sectors during TUTTOFOOD Week (May 3-8), complementing the fair's diverse international participation. Next roadshow stop: Tokyo's Italian Embassy during Foodex (March 11-14, 2025).

🍕 "Identità Milano 2025" reaches its 20th edition in Milan, featuring "JETRO Milano" from February 22-24, showcasing Japan's seafood excellence. The new uni frozen, debuting in Europe with HACCP certification, will be introduced at Allianz MiCo in CityLife, Milan. Attendees can also experience Japanese spirits, show cooking, and mixology with chef Hirohiko Shimizu and mixologist Edoardo Casarotto. Hirotoshi Ogawa and Patrick Pistolesi will conduct seminars on traditional Japanese fish techniques and mixology on February 24.

🍻 Vecchio Amaro del Capo showcased their new "Ready to Serve" line at Beer&Food Attraction in Rimini, receiving acclaim especially for their premixed canned cocktails based on amaro. Nuccio Caffo, CEO of Gruppo Caffo 1915, highlighted their unique market position with Capo Tonic and Capo Arrabbiato Spritz, now in a canned format. The fair in 2025 also spotlighted Grappe Mangilli's Furlanina and Mitica lines, aged 12 to 18 months, distilled traditionally from Friulian grape marc, and featuring a rich, complex aroma profile. Grappa Furlanina Gentile Mangilli was featured in Mixology Circus, gaining the attention of younger audiences through sophisticated cocktail inclusion.

🍷 Biraghi, a historic dairy company from Cavallermaggiore (CN), will attend the second edition of the Salone del Vermouth on February 22-23 at the Museo Nazionale del Risorgimento Italiano in Turin. The event is sponsored by Regione Piemonte and Città di Torino and organized by Laura Carello with Eat Bin and To Be. A masterclass with producer Bordiga is set for February 21 at Biraghi’s Piazza San Carlo store. Biraghi Spa, founded in 1934, processes approximately 465,000 liters of milk daily, totaling 170 million liters annually, producing 315,000 Gran Biraghi and 180,000 Gorgonzola DOP cheese forms per year, along with Ricotta and Butter.

🍷 In 2025, the 10th edition of "Le Giornate delle Donne del Vino" focuses on "Women, Wine, Innovation" and is held on March 13, coinciding with International Women's Day. The event, hosted at Lapis Museum in Naples, includes tastings, cellar tours, conferences, and workshops. The Delegazione Campania delle Donne del Vino organizes the event, which features a unique underground tour of Naples and supports the EVA Social Cooperative aiding women victims of violence. Visits are structured in 5 turns, uncovering historic layers up to 40 meters deep. Funds raised assist EVA, managing 5 anti-violence centers and 3 shelters, and support the economic independence of women through EVAlab and Le Ghiottonerie di Casa Lorena, both in assets seized from the camorra. Entrance donation is €20.