The most important international event dedicated to natural stone, technologies, design and professional training for the first time welcomed more than 1,650 exhibitors. Two new initiatives for professionals and designers in collaboration with Archmarathon and Architectural Record were created. Partnership continues with ICE-Italian Trade Agency and Confindustria Marmomacchine within the scope of initiatives involved in the special Made in Italy Promotion Plan. 

 

More exhibitors, international status, business opportunities and new events dedicated to the culture behind stone products. The 51st edition of Marmomacc is hallmarked by growth. The world's most important trade fair in marble, granite, processing technology, design and training fields was held from  September 28 - October 1, 2016 with expanding numbers and several innovations (www.marmomacc.com). Starting from companies taking part - now standing at more than 1,650 for the first time ever, posting growth of almost +10% compared to 2015. Exhibitors from 53 countries attended the exhibition,  Afghanistan and Indonesia and the absolute debut of Angola were important. Marmomacc has achieved sold-out status already four months in advance, complete with a waiting list as in 2015; exhibition areas spaces have also increased to more than 80 thousand square metres (+4% over 2015). 

 

"Today, Marmomacc is the landmark international trade fair for operators in the natural stone value chain," said Maurizio Danese, President of Veronafiere . Thanks to the added value of the Verona Marble District, over the years we have created a promotional platform at the service of the global stone trade. This market posts worldwide turnover of more than 23 billion euros and always sees Italy among the leaders, with exports worth 3.2 billion euros in 2015. Marmomacc, moreover, was the first and only sector event to have realised and highlighted the potential of design and culture applied to stone products. For this reason, the Show is determined to help the development of these two fundamental commercial levers, by promoting the use of stone materials among designers and architects." 

 

Marmomacc 2016 starts off in the wake of huge success for the 50th anniversary event last year, which attracted more than 67,000 specialist professionals.

 

 "Marmomacc is a trade show that always has made internationality one of its strengths," said Giovanni Mantovani, CEO & Director General of Veronafiere. In 2015, foreign buyers from 150 countries accounted for 57% of visitors, an increase of more than 24% over the last three years. This is especially done to format combining b2b, design and training occasions, as well as the events we organize in the United States, Brazil, Egypt and Morocco with the aim of strengthening and promoting the network between companies and professionals in the global natural stone community. This year, we focused on particular target countries including United States, U.K, Germany, Brazil, Russia, Uzbekistan, Iran, Mozambique, Angola and Asean countries. We also inaugurated "b2b meet": the new b2b online matching platform with more than 150 registered companies that has generated more than 700 confirmed appointments during the show.

 

Marmomacc & the City will be staged for the fifth year in the streets and courtyards of the historic centre of Verona to display works and installations in natural stone developed by exhibiting companies through a full-scale open-air exhibition highlighting the versatility and beauty of this material. Lastly, the Best Communicator Award returns with its 10th edition: this Marmomacc Award promotes attention and originality dedicated to exhibit design by exhibiting companies.