Foundation Stone Laid for Vicenza Exhibition District's New Pavilion
This morning, at Vicenza Exhibition Centre, a ceremony was held to mark the beginning of construction for the new 22,000 square meter pavilion
A solemn ceremony took place this morning at Vicenza Exhibition Centre with the laying of the foundation stone, celebrating the start of construction for the new two-story pavilion. This ambitious project, designed to strengthen Vicenzaoro’s position as a European and international leader in the jewelry sector, was created in collaboration with GMP Studio from Hamburg, led by architect Volkwin Marg. The ceremony brought together Italian Exhibition Group (IEG) executives, representatives of local institutions, and major gold and jewelry trade associations. After a blessing by Vicar General Giampaolo Marta, the project was symbolically sealed in a container and placed in the structure’s foundation by IEG President Maurizio Ermeti, joined by Vicenza Mayor Giacomo Possamai and other institutional representatives.
Maurizio Ermeti stated: “More than fifty years ago, visionaries laid the foundation stone of the ‘snail’ with the hope of improving their lives, businesses, and the region. Today, with this symbolic gesture, we renew that purpose by creating a larger, more advanced, and powerful structure to maintain Vicenzaoro as a European and international leader in the jewelry sector. Moreover, this new infrastructure will also allow us to expand our event calendar and congress center, making us even more attractive. Thanks to the city, the region, and stakeholders who supported our vision.”
Corrado Peraboni, CEO of IEG, emphasized: “Making Vicenza's district more competitive in terms of infrastructure means maintaining Vicenzaoro's leadership in Europe and its specificity in the international context. It also strengthens IEG's internationalization strategy for its jewelry shows with hubs in Dubai and Singapore: creating platforms for markets that positively impact foreign operators visiting Italy.”
For Volkwin Marg of GMP Studio Hamburg, designer of the expansion: “We are grateful to design for Italian Exhibition Group. We have enjoyed a fantastic creative collaboration that has lasted 25 years, since the founding of the Rimini Exhibition Centre. It’s a good sign for Vicenza that a new station is being built and that the area around the exhibition center is being redeveloped. In this context, we envision a future trade show business that will become increasingly attractive to the outside world, also in terms of architectural perception.”
Vicenza Mayor Giacomo Possamai added: “The laying of the foundation stone for the new pavilion is an extremely important signal for the city. It shows IEG’s commitment to investing in Vicenza and gives a bright future to our exhibition district and the economy of our city, which has always been linked to the exhibition. It portrays a Vicenza that continues to grow, invest, and look to the future with confidence.”
Andrea Nardin, President of the Province of Vicenza, commented: “Vicenza is undergoing an infrastructural revolution, and the new exhibition district fits well into an urban context that looks to the future. This restyling is not just cosmetic but aims to enhance the exhibition area, making Vicenzaoro even more attractive and strengthening Vicenza’s economic identity. The laying of the foundation stone is a strong signal we want to send to our entrepreneurs: important challenges await us, but we are equipping ourselves to face them.”
Finally, Giorgio Xoccato, President of Vicenza Chamber of Commerce, stated: “IEG’s commitment to redevelopment that offers great opportunities, primarily for Vicenzaoro, must be recognized. The exhibition district, located at the entrance to the city, will serve as a ‘business card’ for the hospitality Vicenza aims to offer visitors. This investment will be further enhanced by the future High-Speed Rail station, a project the Chamber of Commerce and the Vicenza system have pursued with determination and unity.”
The “Phase 2” expansion and redevelopment project for Vicenza Exhibition Centre, led by IEG’s Operations Director and Vicenza Venue Director Mario Vescovo, involves the construction of a new, modern, and functional building on the site previously occupied by Pavilions 2 and 5. The work is proceeding on schedule. Following demolition and land reclamation phases, the site has been handed over to the civil works company, which is now performing the necessary piling for the foundation. By Vicenzaoro January 2025, the initial above-ground construction will already be visible, while the structure’s shell will be completed and on display by the September 2025 edition, under the leadership of IEG Global Exhibition Manager Matteo Farsura. Construction will continue with installations and finishes, with completion scheduled for spring 2026.
