INTERZUM FORUM ITALY

Press Release

INTERZUM FORUM ITALY 2024: THE FIRST EDITION OF THE NEW EVENT FOR SUPPLIERS OF THE FURNITURE AND INTERIOR DESIGN SECTOR WAS A GREAT SUCCESS

• 216 exhibitors from 24 countries
• 4,820 visitors from 52 countries
• 30+ conferences with 60+ speakers from Italy and elsewhere
• Next edition: 4-5 June 2026

The first edition of interzum forum italy was held in Bergamo and featured a large international presence. It was a successful debut for this new two-yearly event dedicated to furniture supply and interior design professionals.

interzum forum italy 2024 figures:
4,820 visitors from 52 countries (20% of whom came from abroad) and 216 exhibitors from 24 countries (36% of which were international) brought the two Bergamo trade fair halls to life. Alongside Italy the visitor number Top Ten was Germany, Poland, Spain, France, Belgium, UK, Serbia, Turkey, Switzerland. The event’s location in the heart of the Bergamo and Brianza furniture districts was a strategic choice given the convenient transport links connecting it with Europe.

Thomas Rosolia, Koelnmesse Italia’s CEO and the event’s organizer stated: “The premiere of the interzum forum italy has exceeded all expectations. We were thrilled by the high number of visitors and also the quality was high and accorded perfectly with the event’s target goals. We were extremely pleased by the interest shown by sector companies who welcomed the new trade fair format enthusiastically and many of these took an active part in the event’s conference program. Figures for this very first edition of the event have shown that we are on the right track and have successfully taken on board the market’s demand for a two-yearly event alternating with interzum cologne. On the strength of event feedback, we are already working on the 2026 edition.”

Carlotta Benardelli, Project Manager of interzum forum italy concludes “we are extremely proud of the results obtained in this first edition of the fair. The enthusiasm and commitment of all participants contributed to creating a dynamic and innovative event. Our aim was to offer a new format and I am happy to say that we achieved it with great success. interzum forum italy stood out not only for the quality and variety of exhibitors, but also for the focus on the extremely topical issues covered during the various conferences, including those of sustainability and innovation.”

The conference:
The roundtable discussion entitled Business Outlook. Global Innovation and Local Production: the Evolving Materials, Technologies and Furniture Market at which Lorenzo Tavazzi, Jörg Buck, Edi Snaidero, Alessandra Tracogna, Piero Paganoni, Roger Reichert and Alfonso Tentori spoke, inaugurated the event’s conference programme, one of interzum forum italy’s strengths. There were three stages – Trend Talk, Trend Stage and Product Stage – featuring 30 events and 60 speakers from Italy and elsewhere who shared their living space visions and spoke about recent fashions, materials and finishings developments and new production processes with a shared focus on low environmental impact. It was a one-of-a-kind opportunity for an up-to-date view of the furniture, and also the interior design, chains for the hotel, yachting and shipping, camper and car sectors.

interzum forum italy award 2024:
The first edition of the interzum forum italy award, with 7 firms winning prizes in the two categories Innovation and ESG & Sustainability, was also very well received. The awards were handed out at a gala dinner event at the beautiful Hotel San Marco venues in the centre of Bergamo.

interzum forum italy’s second edition will be held on 4th and 5th June 2026 in Bergamo.

Milan, 19 June 2024

Press Release

THE HIGHLY ANTICIPATED FIRST EDITION OF INTERZUM FORUM ITALY DEBUTS IN BERGAMO: PIONEERING THE FUTURE OF DESIGN AND FURNITURE SUPPLIES ACROSS ALL MANUFACTURING SECTORS

200 confirmed exhibitors from 23 countries

More than 30 conference and 60 Italian and international speakers

A few weeks after the end of the Milan Design Week, Koelnmesse is on the scene to talk about design and furniture, starting with the essential part of each project: from materials, technological components and production processes to their economic impact and the latest trends.

Milano, 27 May 2024 – interzum forum italy, the new biennial event that joins the list of international events in the interzum brand family, was created as an effective platform for updates and discussions in response to the market demand for concreteness and immediacy. Concentrated over just two days, the event offers leading companies from the Function & Components, Materials & Nature and Textile & Machinery segments the opportunity to present their products and solutions in detail to an interested trade audience.
Another focus of the two-day event is the well-curated conference programme. Renowned national and international experts in all key product segments of the supplier industry will address the players in the interior design and furniture manufacturing sector in short presentations and panel discussions – manufacturers of materials and technological components as well as contract furnishers, design studios, consultancies, interior designers and B2B service providers.

The conference programme is organised in cross-segment formats with compact, informative content on topics that will be of particular relevance to the furniture supply industry in the coming years. Particular attention will be paid to issues such as energy supply and the ongoing digital transformation. In addition to the classic residential sector, issues and the corresponding solutions in the contract sectors for yachting, RV and automotive contract sectors will also be discussed.

The conference will feature three different event formats:

Trend Talk: Industry experts, opinion leaders and representatives of leading companies will exchange their visions for the future of the supplier industry in panel discussions. The spectrum of topics covered ranges from forecasts for national and international markets to new business models, lifestyles and their development, trends in surfaces and colours and sustainability issues, including the design of supply and value chains. More info can be seen here: https://www.interzum-forum.it/en/the-congress/congress/trend-talk/

Trend Stage: Here, relevant industry topics are addressed from a comprehensive perspective that integrates the respective value chains involved. Examples include technologies within the wood processing industry and their regulatory framework, issues relating to product certification, the development of high-performance materials with low thicknesses and the digitalisation of design and production, particularly for kitchens and offices. Details of the Trend Stage can be found here: https://www.interzum-forum.it/en/the-congress/congress/trend-stage/ 

Product Stage: This format gives companies a platform to present their newly developed products and services as well as innovative digital solutions and systems for efficient and environmentally friendly production processes. Further information is available here: https://www.interzum-forum.it/en/the-congress/congress/product-stage/

interzum forum italy is honoured to work with numerous institutions, universities and research institutes. These include: the CSIL study centres, the Digital innovations Observatories of the School of Management of Milan Polytechnic, the Department of Material Science of Milan-Bicocca University, the POLI.design consortium and the global e-commerce platform Alibaba.

In addition to the organizations mentioned above, interzum forum italy is proud to have the support of Assofermet, the European House of Ambrosetti and CATAS, as well as the sponsorship of FederlegnoArredo, the Department of Economic Developement of the Lombardy Region, the AHK Italien-German Chamber of Commerce, ASCOM Confcomercio Bergamo, CdO Bergamo, Confartigianato Bergamo, Chamber of Commerce of Bergamo and AIPI, the Italian Association of Interior Designer Professionals.

With the interzum forum italy award, the event presents an industry award in various categories. An international jury evaluates the submissions and honours the best proposals. The winners will be announced on June 5th at an awards ceremony at the Hotel San Marco in Bergamo.

The prize jury includes:
Jessica Alexander, Former Executive Director at National Bed Federation
Segzin Aksu, Designer
Mario Bisson, Associate Professor POLI.design
Franco Bulian, Director of CATAS
Sasha Peters, Innovation Consultant and materials expert
Dick Spierenburg, Designer

Learn more about the jury: https://www.interzum-forum.it/en/the-congress/award/award-jury/

On June 6th and 7th, the Bergamo Conference Centre, located just 15 minutes from Orio al Serio Airport, is set to host 200 companies and visitors from Italy and Europe. Attendees will appreciate the format that concentrates the trade fair and conference events into just two days, as well as ease of reaching the Bergamo Trad Fair area thanks to connections to major Italian cities and 37 European countries via the airport. All visitors can find convenient parking and access the event free of charge by registering on Ticket shop at this link: Register and download your ticket to visit interzum forum italy | interzum forum italy (interzum-forum.it)

Press Release

THE DESIGN AND FURNITURE SUPPLY INDUSTRY MEETS IN BERGAMO: 200 COMPANIES, OVER 30 EVENTS, MORE THAN 20 INSTITUTIONAL PARTNERS IN JUST 2 DAYS.

interzum, Koelnmesse GmbH’s event of excellence for supplier of the furniture industry, adds a new biennial event to its brand family: from Cologne to Guangzhou, to Bogota and now in the crossroads of Italy’s furniture and design districts, in Bergamo.

Milano, March 15, 2024 – A location, the one chosen, that confirms itself as an attractive destination in the exhibition scene thanks to its proximity to Orio al Serio International Airport (the airport that connects Bergamo with 137 destinations and 37 foreign countries) and to Milan.

interzum forum italy is the new biennial event that will alternate with interzum cologne in even-numbered years. “It is important to emphasize that interzum forum italy is a project that responds to the needs of this historical moment in which companies are looking to concentrated, short-lived and extremely effective events,” says Thomas Rosolia, CEO of Koelnmesse Italy. “As of today, the two halls of the fairgrounds are almost full and we aim to reach 200 exhibitors from all over the world from the Function & Components, Materials & Nature, Textile and Machinery sectors,” Thomas Rosolia continues.

An appointment, therefore, that develops a contained and effective format: two days of business meeting and discussion about the most recent topics for the industry.

An event that addresses different supply chains that have witnessed interesting evolutions in recent years. Companies that traditionally produced and processed for the furniture sector have also turned their attention to the nautical contract, RV and automotive sectors. Plus, trends, new technical and technological solutions, new materials, products and processes with low environmental impact, digitization for manufacturing and services; a matrix of topics and formats to meet all the demands of the sectors involved covered by leading international speakers. Complementing the extended program of meetings will be a mix of activities and side events-partly borrowed from interzum cologne and partly newly conceived-that will include Talks, Trend Stage, Product Stage, Matchmaking and special event areas.

In fact, the strength of interzum forum italy is the rich conference program profiled on all supply sectors – materials, components, lighting systems, machinery and equipment for the production of furniture, upholstery and textile upholstery – and for the different audiences of the event: companies and operators in the furniture and design sectors, manufacturers of furniture materials and technologies, general contractors, design studios, planners and interior designers.

Exhibiting companies will also be able to nominate their products and services for the interzum forum italy award. An exceptional jury, composed of international experts in environmental issues, technological innovation and trend setting will decree the best proposals, selecting those that will interpret market evolutions indicating developments for the supply chains represented at the fair. There are 6 awards in the
Innovation and ESG & Sustainability categories, declined in the 3 thematic areas Functions & Components, Materials & Nature and Textile & Machinery.

The members of the Jury are:
Jessica Alexander, Former Executive Director at National Bed Federation
Segzin Aksu, Designer
Mario Bisson, Assosiete Professor POLI.design
Franco Bulian, Director of Catas
Sasha Peters, Innovation consultant, and materials expert
Dick Spierenburg, Designer

To learn about the jurors, go to the link https://www.interzum-forum.it/en/the-congress/award/award-jury/

Matthias Pollmann, Vice President Trade Fair Management Koelnmesse, speaking at the press conference of interzum forum italy, said, “I am delighted to be here today, in such a prestigious location as the ADI Museum, to meet designers and experts, testimonials of the current energy of the sector and its international orientation.”

Interzum forum italy boasts numerous collaborations with institutions, universities, and research organizations. These include the CSIL study center, the Digital Innovation Observatories of the School of Management of the Politecnico di Milano, the Department of Materials Science of the University of Milano-Bicocca, the consortium company POLI.Design, and the E-commerce platform Alibaba.

In addition to the entities mentioned above, support is also expected from The European House of Ambrosetti and CATAS as well as sponsorship from Federlegno Arredo, the Lombardy Region Economic Development Department, the Italian-German Chamber of Commerce AHK Italien, ASCOM Confcommercio Bergamo, Camera di Commercio di Bergamo, CdO Bergamo and Confartigianato Bergamo, and AIPI, Associazione Italiana Professionisti Interior Designers.

Interzum forum italy will be held in the Bergamo exhibition-congress center on June 6 and 7, 2024.

Press Release

INTERZUM FORUM ITALY: NEW EVENT MAKES ITS DEBUT IN JUNE 2024

Koelnmesse announces a new biennial event for the furniture production and interior design industry with interzum forum italy

The interzum forum italy presents an inspiring congress format with an accompanying exhibition area specifically tailored to Italy and its neighbouring countries, but also to other major European markets. The innovative format will be hosted on 6 and 7 June 2024 at the Fiera di Bergamo trade fair grounds in Bergamo, Italy.

The event’s concept focuses on a rich two-day programme of high-calibre lectures, which will offer deep insights into the latest trends, the most interesting innovations and current market developments. The congress format will be accompanied by an exhibition focusing on the interzum product segments such as offices, upholstery and textile machinery as well as surfaces and fittings. “The interzum forum is an ideal platform for the Italian market, one of the most important markets in the industry. Many of the central questions of the industry considering the requirements of the Italian market can and will find new solutions here in the competition of ideas and innovations”, says Matthias Pollmann, Vice President of Koelnmesse.

“This broad set of lectures, networking and business opportunities, combined with workshops and matchmaking, will make interzum forum italy the ideal place to discuss current industry trends. The event will provide the perfect forum for shaping the innovations that are driving rapid transformation in the markets and having a significant impact on production chains and the skills required for the furniture production and interior design sectors”, says Thomas Rosolia, Managing Director of Koelnmesse Italia.

“interzum 2023 in Cologne has demonstrated the importance of being closer to companies by creating opportunities for discussion and providing an in-depth analysis of key topics for the industry”, adds Thomas Rosolia. “We are now responding to the industry’s need for a streamlined and visitor-friendly format in Italy as one of the major furniture-producing countries in Europe. In the years when interzum is not hosted in Cologne, we will offer industry professionals a mix of a congress with current, high-level topics and an exhibition section.”

interzum forum italy has chosen the Fiera di Bergamo trade fair grounds, as it is an already well-established exhibition complex, strategically located in the heart of Lombardy with excellent infrastructure connections. Travelling to and from the fair grounds is easy and convenient, allowing attendees to get the most out of the two days of the event and to focus their energies on the business opportunities that will be generated.

interzum forum italy is designed for all the sectors linked to furniture production and interior design. It is aimed at a broad spectrum of manufacturers, specialist retailers, architects, interior designers, decorators, contractors and consultants. The event will offer them outstanding content and an innovative format that enhances the congress element. It will be held in even years starting from June 2024, in synergy with interzum in Cologne, which is hosted on a regular schedule in odd years.

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