Our History

The “Great Emilian Exhibition” took place at the Giardini Margherita in Bologna to celebrate the 800th anniversary of the University of Bologna.

It was a pioneering event, showcasing the region’s industrial, artistic, and agricultural achievements.

The first Bologna Trade Fair was held in the prestigious EDEN Kursaal venue in Via Indipendenza, marking the beginning of the city’s exhibition industry.

The Littoriale complex was built. Originally conceived as a stadium, it hosted the first 14 editions of the Bologna Trade Fair, becoming the city’s most modern exhibition venue.

Activities are suspended in 1940 with the outbreak of war.

In 1947, the local Chamber of Commerce set up the Bologna Trade Fair Authority to manage exhibitions held in the city.

Without a permanent venue, exhibitions continued to be held in temporary pavilions at Montagnola Park and in Palazzo del Podestà.

These years saw the first specialist exhibitions, such as:

• Footwear Exhibition (1948)
• National Fruit and Vegetable Exhibition (1949)
• International Food Exhibition (1950)

The exhibition centre was temporarily relocated to Montagnola Park while plans for a permanent exhibition district were underway.

On May 8, 1964, the foundation stone was laid for the new Exhibition Centre designed by Leonardo Benevolo, Tommaso Giuralongo, and Carlo Melograni.

The new venue became a symbol of Bologna’s economic and cultural growth.

Italian Prime Minister Aldo Moro officially inaugurated the new exhibition district, marking the beginning of a new era for Bologna’s trade fair industry.

The Municipality of Bologna commissioned Japanese architect Kenzo Tange to design a masterplan for the city’s northern expansion.

The project included facilities around Piazza della Costituzione adjacent to the existing exhibition halls designed to allow the future expansion of the Trade Show District.

Arte Fiera, Italy’s first modern and contemporary art fair, was inaugurated.

The event celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2024.

Located within the Exhibition District, a new venue for cultural events and conferences was opened.

Designed by architects Melchiorre Bega and Lieuwe Op’t Land, it connected the exhibition centre with the newly built Modern Art Gallery designed by Leone Pancaldi.

The Esprit Nouveau Pavilion, a reconstruction of Le Corbusier’s original design, was built near the Exhibition centre entrance by architects Giuliano Gresleri and José Oubrerie.

The exhibition district was further expanded with the construction of Halls 33 and 34.

In 1986, the Regional Exhibition Network was established to integrate and coordinate the exhibition facilities of Bologna, Modena, and Ferrara.

In 1988, Bologna celebrated the 100th anniversary of the Great Emilian Exhibition.

The creation of Fairsystem International Exhibition Services in 2001 marked the beginning of the Group’s international expansion plan.

The original organization was incorporated as BolognaFiere S.p.A., a transformation that consolidated its structure and role as the central focus of the region’s exhibition system.

The Group acquired SoGeCos, the company incorporated in 1996 to manage the Cosmoprof and Cosmofarma brands and events in the beauty and wellness sector, now operating as BolognaFiere Cosmoprof S.p.A.

In the same year, BolognaFiere China Ltd. was established in Shanghai.

A strategic partnership with GiPlanet made BolognaFiere Group Italy’s leading exhibition stand design and construction company.

In the same year, the Group also inaugurated Halls 29 and 30 and the Mall, as part of a €138 million redevelopment and expansion plan.

The presentation of the 2022–2026 Business Plan laid down ambitious objectives of sustainable growth, international expansion, and technological innovation.

BolognaFiere S.p.A. was floated on the Euronext Growth Milan – Professional Segment stock market, boosting its growth and development plans.

The Exhibition District confirmed its ambitions for the future with the demolition of Hall 35 and the launch of the new MultiPurpose Arena project, designed by MCA – Mario Cucinella Architects.

This strategic facility is designed to host major events, concerts, performances, and international gatherings, further expanding and diversifying BolognaFiere Group’s offering.