The foundation stone for the latest addition to the Vicenza Expo Centre was laid on December 12, 2024. Italian Exhibition Group (IEG) celebrated the commencement of construction for a state-of-the-art, two-storey, 22,000 square metre building. Designed by Hamburg’s Studio GMP under the direction of Professor and Architect Volkwin Marg, the project comes just ten months after redevelopment efforts began.
The ceremony was attended by IEG’s top management, local authorities, and representatives from national gold and jewelry associations. The ceremony included a blessing by Don Giampaolo Marta, vicar general of the Diocese of Vicenza. Architect Volkwin Marg presented the building plans to IEG President Maurizio Ermeti, who placed them in a container within the concrete foundation block. Joined by Vicenza Mayor Giacomo Possamai,
Provincial President Andrea Nardin, and Vicenza Chamber of Commerce President Giorgio Xoccato, Ermeti and Marg symbolically tapped the foundation stone with a trowel. IEG was further represented by Managing Director Corrado Peraboni, Operations Director and Vicenza venue Head Mario Vescovo, Chief Corporate Officer Carlo Costa, and Chief Business Officer Marco Carniello.
Maurizio Ermeti, president of IEG: «More than fifty years ago, visionaries laid the foundation stone of the “snail” with the hope of improving their lives, businesses and the territory. Today, with this symbolic gesture, we are renewing that intention by building a larger, more technological and powerful structure to maintain Vicenzaoro’s status as a European and international leader in the jewellery sector. Not only that, this new infrastructure will also allow us to expand our calendar of events and that of our congress centre, making us even more attractive. Our thanks go to the city, the territory and the stakeholders who have supported our vision».
Maurizio Ermeti
Corrado Peraboni, IEG CEO: «Making the Vicenza Expo more competitive in infrastructural terms means maintaining Vicenzaoro’s leadership position in Europe and its specificity in the international context. But it also means strengthening the internationalisation strategy that IEG has put into action for its jewellery shows with the hubs in Dubai and Singapore: creating platforms for markets that then have a positive impact on foreign operators visiting Italy».
Corrado Peraboni
Prof. Volkwin Marg, Studio GMP in Hamburg, the extension designer: «We are grateful to be able to design for Italian Exhibition Group. We have a fantastic creative partnership that has lasted for 25 years, since the birth of Fiera di Rimini. It is a good sign for Vicenza that a new station is being built and that the environment around the Expo Centre can be redeveloped. In this context, we can imagine a future trade show business that will become increasingly attractive to the outside world, also in terms of architectural perception».
Giacomo Possamai, mayor of Vicenza: «The laying of the foundation stone for the Expo Centre’s new hall is an extremely important signal for the city. One that testifies to IEG’s willingness to invest in Vicenza and that gives a bright future to Vicenza Expo Centre and the economy of our city, which has always been linked to the show. It therefore transmits the idea of a Vicenza that is continuing to grow and invest and is looking to the future with confidence».
Andrea Nardin, Province of Vicenza president: «Vicenza is undergoing an infrastructural revolution, and the new Expo Centre will fit well into an urban context that is looking to the future. A restyling that is not just a façade, but one which signifies enhancing the trade show area, making Vicenzaoro even more attractive, and strengthening the identity of Vicenza’s economy. The laying of the foundation stone is a strong signal that we also want to send to our entrepreneurs: important challenges await us, but we are empowering ourselves to face them.»
Giorgio Xoccato, Vicenza Chamber of Commerce President: «IEG’s commitment to a redevelopment that offers enormous opportunities, first and foremost for Vicenzaoro, must be praised. The Expo Centre, at the entrance to the city, will act as a “business card” for the welcome that Vicenza wants to give its visitors. The investment will be further enhanced by the future High Speed Train stop, a project on which the Chamber of Commerce and the Vicenza system have worked with determination and unity» The “Phase 2” expansion and redevelopment project at Vicenza Expo Centre, overseen by Mario Vescovo, IEG’s Director of Operations and Head of the Vicenza venue, is progressing smoothly according to IEG’s schedule.
Mario Vescovo
This phase involves constructing a modern, functional building on the site of the former Halls 2 and 5. Following the demolition of the old structures and land reclamation, the site has been handed over to the civil works company, which is currently carrying out the piling necessary for the foundation.
Matteo Farsura
Above-ground construction is set to begin in time for Vicenzaoro January 2025, allowing visitors to see the building take shape. By Vicenzaoro September 2025, under the management of Matteo Farsura, IEG’s global exhibition manager, the building’s external structure will be fully visible as construction is finalized over the summer. Subsequent work, including system installations and interior finishes, will continue until completion in spring 2026.
VicenzaOro January 2025 will take place from 17th to 21st January, 2025 at Vicenza Expo Centre. It will bring together the entire jewelry community, offering buyers from around the world the finest in Made-in-Italy craftsmanship and international previews, with 1,300 exhibiting brands.
Discover more @ vicenzaoro.com/it – iegexpo.it/it/
Article edited by Laura Astrologo Porché
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By mb@admin
