INTERZUM FORUM ITALY

Press Release

INTERZUM FORUM ITALY CONCLUDES ITS SECOND EDITION: VISITORS AND EXHIBITORS CONFIRM THE EVENT’S IMPORTANCE FOR THE INDUSTRY

• 263 exhibitors from 26 countries
• 4,400 visitors from 71 countries
• 25+ talks and 40+ speakers at the Trend Stage
• 15+ keynote speakers at Surface in Motion Italy

On 4 and 5 of June, manufacturing companies, design studios, component suppliers, system integrators, and representatives of the main production districts gathered in Bergamo to analyze the evolving dynamics of the design supply chain and its related supply chains. The event provided a platform for dialogue and exchange bringing together companies, designers, technology manufacturers, and industrial partners to address ongoing transformation processes, workflow integration, and emerging technical requirements. Particular attention was given to regulatory compliance and the skills increasingly required to support implementation and innovation. Through this exchange of expertise and perspectives, the event helped identify key priorities, shared standards, and future development pathways for the sector.

interzum forum italy 2026 in numbers
Around 4.400 visitors from 71 countries (20% of attendance from abroad) and 263 exhibitors from 26 countries (with an internationality rate of 40%) filled the two halls of the Bergamo exhibition center. Besides Italy, the countries with the highest number of visitors are Germany, France, Spain, Poland, the United Kingdom, and Turkey.

Thomas Rosolia, CEO of Koelnmesse Italia, commenting on the final results stated: “We are very satisfied with the results of this edition, which reflect the successful collaboration between our partners, industry associations, and exhibiting companies. Together, we have created a practical and valuable event for all professionals across the supply chain. The two-day exhibition was designed to provide opportunities for learning, discussion, and networking for those responsible for strategic and operational decision-making within their companies, helping them navigate market developments and respond effectively to evolving regulatory requirements.”

Carlotta Benardelli, Project Manager of interzum forum italy concluded: “Companies recognized the value of the engagement journey developed with professionals and architects, understanding the opportunity to create a direct dialogue with key stakeholders across the supply chain. Our goal was to build a truly useful context, capable of generating qualified relationships and providing companies with concrete tools to better interpret ongoing transformations and convert them into concrete opportunities for growth and development.”

The congress
The congress explored the evolution of subcontracting across industries, focusing on sustainability, innovation, and changing lifestyles. Key themes included the kitchen as integrated living architecture, hybrid and wellbeing-oriented spaces, marine contract solutions, and the bedding sector’s response to ecodesign and sleep-quality demands. Innovation was central throughout the program, with discussions on AI, computational design, Life Cycle Assessment, and low-impact materials. Attention was also given to interiors for mobility sectors — from campers to superyachts — alongside smart furniture and IoT integration in connected living systems. Sessions on office, hospitality, and contract interiors, supported by international case studies, highlighted how the industry is addressing digitalization, flexibility, inclusivity, and sustainability with a strategic approach.

Surface in Motion
Surface in Motion also presented a broad and diverse conference program, offering an in-depth overview of the latest developments shaping the world of surfaces and decorative technologies. Opening the agenda, CSIL provided a comprehensive analysis of the European furniture industry, setting the stage for a series of discussions focused on decorative printing, innovative surface technologies, sustainable finishing solutions, and next-generation materials. The program also explored the relationship between sensory perception, emotion, and material design, while examining the most relevant international trends currently influencing the global market.

interzum forum italy benefits from an extensive network of collaborations with Knowledge Partners, who will contribute to the development of sessions on specific topics. Foremost among them are AIPI (Associazione Italiana Professionisti Interior Designers), AIPEF (Aziende Italiane Poliuretano Espanso Flessibile), EBIA (European Bedding Association) and NBF (UK National Bed Federation), EFIC (European Furniture Industries Confederation), CSIL, CATAS, the AHK study center (Italian-German Chamber of Commerce), the Digital Innovation Observatories of the School of Management of the Politecnico di Milano, and the consortium company POLI.Design.

The third edition of interzum forum italy will be held in Bergamo on 7–8 June 2028.

Milan, 9th June 2026

Press Release

THE SECOND EDITION OF INTERZUM FORUM ITALY WAS INAUGURATED IN BERGAMO

From the opening ceremony to the first congress and the interzum forum italy Award, the 2026 edition sparks debate on the furniture supply chain.

“Beyond the Furniture Towards the Future” is the theme that accompanied the opening this morning of the second edition of interzum forum italy at the Bergamo Exhibition Centre. The inaugural ceremony, attended by Thomas Rosolia, CEO of Koelnmesse Italia, Claudia Maria Terzi, Lombardy Regional Councillor for Infrastructure and Public Works, Sergio Gandi, Deputy Mayor of Bergamo and Councillor for Budget, Taxation and Trade, along with other representatives of local institutions, partners and congress speakers, marked the official opening of two days of discussion on the evolution of the design and furniture supply chain.

With a focus on the Function & Components, Materials & Nature, and Textile & Machinery sectors, the 2026 edition brings together companies, designers, industry partners, and representatives of the main production districts, confirming its role as a key reference point for the sector and offering an up-to-date perspective on an evolving ecosystem in which production, logistics and collaborative models are shifting towards more integrated, resilient, and innovative solutions.

Kicking off the congress proceedings was the conference chaired by Edi Snaidero, President of EFIC (European Furniture Industries Confederation); Volker Irle, Managing Director of AMK (The Association of Modern Kitchen); Federica Dallanoce, President of the Italian Association for Purchasing and Supply Management (ADACI); Alessandra Tracogna, Partner and Senior Expert at CSIL and Jörg Buck, Executive Board Member of the Italian-German Chamber of Commerce. The discussion opened with analyses by CSIL, which provided the reference framework for interpreting the effects of current economic dynamics on the furniture supply chain. In a context of slowing global growth and tensions affecting international trade, the sector is particularly impacted by cost volatility and raw material shortages. However, CSIL projections indicate a possible recovery in trade between 2027 and 2028, provided that the global environment gradually returns to greater stability.

Thomas Rosolia, CEO of Koelnmesse Italia, opening the fair, stated: “In such a dynamic phase, moments of dialogue like interzum forum italy take on an even more strategic value: they offer an opportunity to share expertise, interpret market signals together, and strengthen relationships among all actors in the production chain. It is within this exchange between companies, territories, and people that value is created and the conditions are built to face the challenges ahead with greater resilience.”
At the opening, attention therefore returned to the core themes of the project, such as materials, technologies, processes, and trends, which were further explored over the two days thanks to the interzum forum italy format, combining a specialised exhibition with an extensive programme of content curated by national and international experts.

Second edition of interzum forum italy Award
The highlight of the Trend Stage was the award ceremony of the interzum forum italy Award 2026, the only recognition dedicated to the technical aspects of the supply chain, designed to showcase the most relevant and sustainable innovations presented by companies. After careful evaluation by the international jury, the winners were announced and awarded on stage: a celebration that underlines how the ability to innovate in materials, processes, and technologies remains a key driver in guiding the evolution of the sector.

The members of the Award jury were:

LUISA BOCCHIETTO, Former President WDO – World Design Organization, Orgatec member of the jury
CRISTINA BOERI, Co-director of the Master Sensorial Surface Design, POLI.design, Politecnico di Milano
TRISTINE HARGREAVES, Executive Director National Bed Federation
FREDERIK LAUWAERT, Managing Director EBIA
SASCHA PETERS, Innovation consultant, and materials expert Haute Innovation
MARC SADLER, Designer
DICK SPIERENBURG, Designer

The list of jury members is available on the website:
https://www.interzum-forum.it/en/the-congress/award/award-jury/

Here are the five WINNERS:

Category: INNOVATION

Company: BOYTEKS TEKSTIL SANAYI VE TICARET A.S.
Product: Enviro, a treatment for textiles derived from used cooking vegetable oil.

Company: KEYFORM SRL
Prodcut: KIDI, multifunctional accessory.

Company: MORGAN TECNICA
Prodcut: Spidercut, cutting machine.

Category: ESG & SUSTAINIBILITY

Company: NEONEST
Product: Patented structure for beds and furniture, complete with neoconnect, neohold accessories, and neocord covering.

Company: SIMALFA® by ALFA Klebstoffe AG
Product: SIMALFA® 475-SGT, water-based adhesive product for bonding foams and mattress production.

interzum forum italy benefits from an extensive network of collaborations with Knowledge Partners who will contribute to the development of sessions on specific topics. These include AIPI (Italian Association of Interior Design Professionals), AIPEF (Italian Flexible Polyurethane Foam Manufacturers), EBIA (European Bedding Association) and NBF (UK National Bed Federation), EFIC (European Furniture Industries Confederation), CSIL, CATAS, the AHK study centre (Italian-German Chamber of Commerce), the Digital Innovation Observatories of the School of Management of the Politecnico di Milano and the consortium company POLI.Design.

interzum forum italy will take place at the Bergamo Exhibition and Congress Centre on 4 and 5 June 2026.

Milan, 4th June 2026

Press Release

INTERZUM FORUM ITALY AHEAD OF ITS OPENING: THE FURNITURE AND DESIGN SUPPLY CHAIN MEETS IN BERGAMO ON 4-5 JUNE 2026

• Over 230 exhibitors from 24 countries
• 25+ talks and 40+ speakers at the Trend Stage
• 15+ keynote speakers at Surface in Motion Italia

On 4 and 5 June, companies, designers, industrial partners, and representatives of the main production districts will gather in Bergamo to discuss the transformations currently shaping the design supply chain and sourcing networks.

The result is an evolving landscape: production, logistics, and collaborative dynamics are undergoing a phase of rethinking that involves the entire Italian design ecosystem, with a growing focus on more integrated, resilient, and innovative models.

interzum forum italy captures and reflects this evolution, which is taking place at a particularly significant moment, immediately following the results of the Salone del Mobile. It provides the ideal context to bring the conversation back to its natural setting: companies, designers, suppliers, and technology partners can engage in concrete discussions about ongoing transformations and future sector strategies.

The focus returns to design and furniture, starting from the very core of projects: materials, technologies, production processes, economic impact, and the latest trends. Designed to be both efficient and highly focused over just two days, the event brings together leading companies from the Function & Components, Materials & Nature, and Textile & Machinery sectors. It is complemented by a rich program of talks curated by national and international experts, who will energize the conference area with in-depth insights, case studies, and engaging discussions.

The congress topics cover the full spectrum of subcontracting and are designed to engage a broad, cross-sector audience. Visitors include companies and professionals from the furniture and design industries, manufacturers of materials and technologies, general contractors, design firms and studios, as well as interior designers. Particular attention is given to project areas that are increasingly interconnected with the world of furniture, ranging from contract to recreational vehicles, and from yachting to transportation design.

Thomas Rosolia, Managing Director of Koelnmesse Italia, expressed satisfaction with the proactive response from companies: “The programme and speaker selection are the result of collaborative efforts with companies and their representatives across the supply chain. The topics we will address have been strategically developed to provide concrete support to those within companies who are responsible for defining a medium-term vision. The two-day format is designed to bring together tools, analyses, and perspectives that support both operational and strategic decision-making across the sector.”

Following the opening ceremony, there will be the conference chaired by Edi Snaidero, President of the European Furniture Industries Confederation (EFIC); Volker Irle, Managing Director of the Association of the Modern Kitchen (AMK); Federica Dallanoce, President of the Italian Association for Purchasing and Supply Management (ADACI); Alessandra Tracogna, Partner and Senior Expert at CSIL and Jörg Buck, Managing Director of the Italo-German Chamber of Commerce .

The event will open with the interzum forum italy award 2026 ceremony, the only recognition dedicated to the technical aspects of the supply chain, highlighting the most relevant and sustainable innovations presented by participating companies. The submissions are currently being evaluated by an international jury and the winners will be announced on 4 June during the opening ceremony, held on the Trend Stage.

Complementing the exhibition areas, interzum forum italy will feature special event spaces developed in collaboration with design companies, where installations will showcase the final application of products. Visitors will be able to experience firsthand how materials, components, and technologies are transformed into real furnishing solutions, drawing inspiration from innovative installations and settings curated by leading players in the sector.

interzum forum italy benefits from an extensive network of collaborations with knowledge partners who contribute to the development of sessions focused on specific topics. Key partners include AIPI (Italian Association of Professional Interior Designers), AIPEF (Italian Flexible Polyurethane Foam Association), EBIA (European Bedding Industries Association), NBF (UK National Bed Federation), EFIC (European Furniture Industries Confederation), CSIL, CATAS, the AHK Study Center (Italian-German Chamber of Commerce), the Digital Innovation Observatories of the School of Management Politecnico di Milano, and POLI.design.

Milan, May 2026

Press Release

INTERZUM FORUM ITALY: THE THEME OF THE 2026 EDITION HAS BEEN ANNOUNCED AS ‘BEYOND THE FURNITURE, TOWARDS THE FUTURE’

The second edition of interzum forum italy, entitled ‘Beyond the Furniture Towards the Future’, will provide industry professionals with a key platform for networking and knowledge exchange, offering a comprehensive overview of the design world. The event will highlight the latest trends and innovations across the entire supply chain, with a special focus on the sectors Function & Components, Materials & Nature, and Textiles & Machinery. The event will take place on 4 and 5 June 2026 at the Bergamo Exhibition Center.

Milan, 30 September 2025 – Interior design will be taking centre stage at the event, driving a rich narrative supported by strategic partners, leading design media, and internationally renowned speakers.

Event highlights
The event will offer in-depth explorations of key issues in contemporary living, adopting a cross-sectional approach that also extends to related sectors increasingly connected to interior design and of growing relevance to subcontractors—such as recreational vehicles (caravans and motorhomes) and boating—where design, concepts, components, and accessories are becoming part of a shared language.

Surfaces remain in the spotlight, undergoing a profound transformation in both design and production, driven by emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence and digital printing. While the virtual dimension is becoming increasingly central, the sensory and textural aspects of materials remain essential. It is precisely at the intersection of the physical and digital that new pathways are emerging in interior design and manufacturing, opening up unprecedented opportunities for applied innovation.

These themes and many other will be explored and debated over the two-day trade fair through a rich program of events, including short talks led by renowned national and international speakers.

Partnership with Architects’ Associations
The presence of qualified architects and designers, ensured through partnerships with the Professional Architects’ Associations of Milan and Bergamo, represents a strategic asset for both exhibiting companies and the sector as a whole. To maximize this synergy, the associations will bring a large number of their members to the fair, who will be involved in preparations for the event and updated on its progress thanks to two introductory webinars.

Schedule of conferences
Industry experts will present new requirements, innovative applications and yet unexplored market opportunities through a rich program of conferences, talks, and discussions. The spotlight will once again be on sustainability across the entire production chain, as well as on digitalisation, which is an essential driver for both design and manufacturing processes.

Overview of the topics covered by the talks:
• The outlook of the national market and the dynamics of international markets one year on from the introduction of new trade tariffs;
• Interior design trends: the evolution of lifestyles in residential spaces, boats and yachts, planes, trains and RVs;
• Surface textures, colors, and components: a long-term view of megatrends and the strategic initiatives of global companies
• The low-impact design supply chain: from the Ecodesign Directive to sustainability reporting
• Innovation in materials and production processes;
• AI and digitalization as enablers of design and production

Knowledge Partners
interzum forum italy will also benefit from extensive collaboration with a series of Partners, some of whom will offer contributions by holding talks on specific topics. These include AIPI (Associazione Italiana Professionisti Interior Designers), EBIA (European Bedding Association), NBF (the British National Bed Federation), EFIC (European Furniture Industries Confederation), CSIL, CATAS, the AHK research centre (German-Italian Chamber of Commerce), the Digital Innovation Observatories from the School of Management at the Politecnico di Milano, and the POLI.Design consortium company. The 2026 edition will also see the presentation of the interzum forum italy award, which is reserved for the companies that have excelled more than any other in two categories: Innovation and ESG & Sustainability.

Matchmaking
One of the key elements of the second edition of interzum forum italy is a structured programme of individual business meetings, intended to facilitate direct dialogue between the exhibiting companies and the visiting industry professionals. Matchmaking tables will bring together buyers and purchasing managers from the furniture, yachting, shipbuilding, and transportation sectors, alongside contractors from interior design and hospitality.

By bringing together the exceptional manufacturing expertise of companies with the design vision of professionals, interzum forum italy has established itself as a strategic platform in the trade fair landscape for design, furnishings, and components. In an economic climate marked by uncertainty, the event stands out as a driving force—transforming skills, innovation, and connections into tangible market opportunities.

Press Release

INTERZUM FORUM ITALY 2026: THE EVENT CONNECTING THE WORLD OF FURNITURE AND DESIGN

A new horizon for design: from residential interiors to yacht and mobile interiors, including innovative solutions for campers and the automotive industry, under the guidance of experts in the field.

Milan, 18 March 2025 – interzum forum italy is part of interzum’s global network, along with Cologne, Bogotá, Guangzhou and Jakarta. It is an event with a two-day exhibition format, organized by Koelnmesse Italia. Its innovative format offers a new way of participating in trade fairs, designed to optimise the use of exhibitors’ and visitors’ time, favouring quality networking with short conferences and seminars focusing on particularly relevant topics.

“The first interzum forum italy concluded with outstanding results. Most of the participating companies expressed satisfaction with the new format and confirmed their participation in 2026. We reopened registration for the second edition in October 2024, and more than 70% of the international companies are coming back: a clear signal that the format was appreciated even outside the borders of Italy,” states Thomas Rosolia, Managing Director of Koelnmesse Italia. With in-depth knowledge of Italian and international markets,Koelnmesse offers companies with interzum forum Italy a unique opportunity to present their products and services to a highly qualified audience, form new business partnerships and expand their presence on international markets.

A focus on the new horizons of design
The second edition of interzum forum italy, with the theme “Beyond the Furniture Towards the Future”, will take place in Bergamo’s trade fair centre on 4 and 5 June 2026. The event offers a complete overview of the world of design, with a special focus on the Functions & Components, Materials & Nature and Textiles & Machinery sectors. “The new edition of interzum forum italy will set a special focus on new growth areas within the industry, such as boat and caravan interiors or solutions for the motorhome and automotive industries, all under the guidance of prominent industry experts. While exploring these innovative areas, interzum forum italy will always remain focused on interior design and furniture. In this area, we are establishing partnerships with professional orders and institutions to obtain the involvement of more and more professionals from the design industry in the trade fair,” comments Carlotta Benardelli, Project Manager of interzum forum italy.

Event programme
The event programme will pick up on the themes addressed in the last edition, with talks concerning not only interior design but market sectors which are increasingly dealing with sub-suppliers. Industry experts and thought leaders will guide audiences through the discovery of today’s new demands and applications, opening up new opportunities in previously unexplored markets. There will also be a focus on sustainability issues, from a supply chain perspective, and on digitalisation, which is increasingly affecting conception and design as well as production.

Matchmaking
An integral part of the programme for the second edition of interzum forum italy will be a packed programme of one-to-one business meetings designed to encourage direct discussion among exhibitors and industry professionals, with the aim of facilitating the establishment of new partnerships and the expansion of new business opportunities.

Partnerships at interzum forum italy 2026
interzum forum italy is honoured to count a number of universities and research institutions among its knowledge partners, including the CSIL Study Centre, EFIC (European Furniture Industries Confederation), the Digital Innovation Observatories of the School of Management at Politecnico di Milano, and the POLI.Design consortium.

In addition to these organisations, interzum forum italy is the focus of a permanent partnership agreement signed with Confartigianato Imprese Bergamo for the promotion and valorisation of local enterprises in trade fair events organised by Koelnmesse at Fiera di Bergamo.

interzum forum italy award 2026
The new edition will once again feature the interzum forum italy award for exhibitors: a prize awarded by an international jury to companies excelling in the two award categories Innovation and ESG & Sustainability.

These features fully qualify interzum forum italy as an important event on the highly varied calendar of design, furniture and component trade fairs, combining the know-how of companies with the creativity of professionals, perfectly expressing the liveliness of today’s market, even in the current context of instability.

Press Release

INTERZUM FORUM ITALY 2026: EVEN MORE COMPLETE, EVEN MORE INTERNATIONAL

In the wake of the great success of this year’s premiere, the interzum forum italy 2026 will feature an expanded agenda and numerous networking opportunities. The trade fair for furniture production and interior design will be held on 4 and 5 June 2026 in Bergamo.

Milan, 10 October 2024 – The figures from the first edition underline the industry’s strong interest in this in this compact, highly effective trade fair format: 216 exhibitors, 36% of whom came from abroad, and over 4,800 visitors – mainly from Italy and 20% from abroad – confirm the international character of the event. The three main segments of the exhibition, ‘Textile & Machinery’, ‘Function & Components’ and ‘Materials & Nature’, responded to the needs of the furniture manufacturing and interior design industry.

With this successful start and the support of prominent national and international partners, interzum forum italy 2026 is preparing for an even more extensive new edition. Once again, the focus will be on the dynamics of the furniture supply chain in Italy in order to arouse the interest of all leading market players.

New inspiration for 2026
“The first edition was really exciting, offering us new inspiration for a second one even more wealth of content and authoritative experts with knowledge in the sectors we serve. We collected participants’ suggestions to come up with an offering that responds even better to the need for visibility and encounters among all the companies and professionals involved. Our goal for the next edition is to be even more attractive to architecture and design studios and companies, a target very important to our exhibitors,” affirms Thomas Rosolia, Managing Director of Koelnmesse Italia, the creator of the new format.

“interzum forum italy brings to Italy all the product categories that will be present in interzum Cologne next May, acting as a link for the flow of information at a time in history demanding plenty of flexibility, the ability to listen, and lots of information and instruction. The goal of the 2026 edition of interzum forum italy is to maintain the interest of companies and institutions in topics that are constantly being updated and therefore require continuity and communication,” explains Carlotta Benardelli, Director of interzum forum italy.

Focus on innovations and trends
The conference programme is already being planned and will focus on topics such as sustainability, design trends, material innovations and progress in digitalisation. Special panels will be dedicated to topics such as saving energy and the potential of IoT and artificial intelligence in production processes. Special attention will be paid to differentiation in furniture production in order to meet new needs in areas such as transport design (trains, aeroplanes, buses), yacht design and motorhome design. This gives participants exclusive insights into Italian and international showcase projects.

The ideal location
The Fiera di Bergamo, strategically located close to Orio al Serio International Airport and major motorway links, will once again host the event, underlining its central role in the success of the fair.

interzum forum italy Award 2026
Following the successful launch of the interzum forum italy award 2024, in which an international jury honoured seven companies in the Innovation and ESG & Sustainability categories, the competition will be held again in 2026. The aim is to recognise further outstanding achievements.

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