Strategic vision and innovation are the two key pillars of the cutthroat global trade show industry today. Corrado Peraboni, CEO of Italian Exhibition Group SpA (IEG), is one of the prominent strategic leaders in the industry, who has seamlessly turned IEG’s global expansion vision into reality since joining the company in 2020.
Under Peraboni’s visionary leadership, IEG Group has established a significant presence in markets such as China, Singapore, Saudi Arabia, Dubai, Germany, Brazil, the U.S., and Mexico. With a vision to empower exhibitors through valuable opportunities and boost the profile of Italian trade shows, Peraboni is pivotal to strengthening IEG’s position as a global leader.
A Global Leader in Trade Shows and Events
For over 70 years, the Italian Exhibition Group has been at the forefront of organizing trade shows, events, and congresses in Italy and across the globe. Its long-standing mission is to provide national and international partners with meaningful business opportunities, insightful content, and high-value services.
As a listed company on the Euronext Milan Stock Exchange, Italian Exhibition Group operates two prominent exhibition and congress centers located in Rimini and Vicenza. However, its reach extends far beyond these two locations. Out of the 56 trade shows organized annually, about 90% are directly managed by IEG. In addition to these shows, IEG also organizes 126 congress events to create impactful experiences.
Beyond Italy, Italian Exhibition Group has strategically developed a global network spanning four continents. Leveraging its exhibition platforms and industry-leading products, IEG’s international presence has enabled the company to maintain its competitive advantage globally without overlooking the opportunities in emerging markets.
IEG’s Growth and Expansion
While there is no single decisive event that marked the turning point for IEG, the growth has been steady over decades. Notably, the integration with Fiera di Vicenza was one of the most pivotal moments in IEG’s history that significantly accelerated the company’s growth. The Rimini Expo Centre, on the other hand, continuously expanded IEG’s activities, and cultivated expertise—making IEG a significant economic player on the national stage.
In 2001, the self-financed construction of the new Rimini Expo Centre, spanning an impressive 460,000 square meters demonstrated how committed IEG is to growth and innovation. The strategic investment in the new center enhanced IEG’s capabilities to host larger events and increase its influence in domestic and international markets.
Tackling Challenges and Seizing Opportunities
Italian Exhibition Group’s (IEG) journey has not been without its challenges. In its early days, the company’s operations were closely tied to Rimini, one of the world’s premier seaside tourism destinations. In the beginning, IEG focused on the hotel supply business, catering to the needs of the booming hospitality sector and dolce food service—providing culinary solutions for the region’s vibrant tourism industry.
As IEG’s business began to grow, it became clear that expanding its infrastructure was the logical next step to support its ambitions. This led to the inauguration of the company’s first exhibition center in 1968. The shift into organizing large-scale events and trade shows required substantial investments in both physical infrastructure and operational capacity.
Managing this transition, while maintaining the quality and consistency of its core services, IEG overcame these early obstacles and set the stage for its success—transforming into a key player in the global event industry.
Passion, Flexibility, and Market Understanding
Italian Exhibition Group’s long-standing success can be attributed to three key elements: passion, flexibility, and a deep understanding of markets and business needs. These core values are also reflected in the daily work of hundreds of employees who contribute to IEG’s operations across the globe.
Whether it’s an event or congress, the highly passionate teams at IEG are always eager to deliver outstanding results. To meet the evolving needs of its clients and partners, IEG has adapted exceptionally well by thoroughly understanding both local and international markets. Historically, these attributes have not only boosted IEG’s profitability but have also enabled it to continually capitalize on opportunities for growth and development.
Business Lines and Specialized Services
Italian Exhibition Group (IEG) operates across six primary business lines, each tailored to key industries and market demands:
- Food & Beverage
- Jewellery & Fashion
- Wellness & Sports
- Tourism & Hospitality
- Lifestyle & Entertainment
- Green & Technology
These six sectors form the backbone of IEG’s comprehensive event and congress portfolio, enabling it to offer specialized, high-quality services that meet the needs of diverse business communities.
Specifically, the congress business thrives around these core sectors, attracting a wide range of professionals and industries to IEG’s events. A notable advantage for IEG, particularly in Rimini, is its substantial hotel accommodation, strategically located near the exhibition district and the Palacongressi Conference Centre. The convenience and capacity of the region’s hospitality infrastructure—consisting of more hotel rooms than even a major city like Dubai—ensure that visitors and exhibitors have access to comfortable, nearby lodging.
Global Expansion and Future Outlook
Leveraging its decades of experience, strategic acquisitions, and an intricate understanding of emerging markets, IEG has expanded its business into key regions to become a global trade show industry leader.
Recent acquisitions, such as FB International in the United States and the food & beverage show trio in Asia, have significantly enhanced IEG’s capabilities and market share. Earning itself international recognition, IEG has been consistently ranked among the world’s top trade show organizers. As IEG continues to explore new markets like India, its future as a driving force in the exhibition industry remains bright.
“The successful launch of Sigep Asia in Singapore and the upcoming Riyadh Muscle Show in the Middle East is a prime example of IEG’s commitment to innovation.”
India: A Promising Hub for Trade Shows
India has emerged as one of the most promising destinations for the development of new trade show events. To capitalize on this opportunity, the Italian Exhibition Group is keenly exploring the Indian market.
One of the driving forces behind this interest is the modernization of India’s exhibition infrastructure. World-class facilities like Pragati Maidan in New Delhi and the Bombay Exhibition Centre in Mumbai have been renovated or expanded, offering state-of-the-art spaces capable of hosting international events. These venues are equipped with advanced technology and can accommodate thousands of participants.
India’s overall infrastructure has also seen considerable improvements, particularly in its transportation networks. Modernized airports and new air connections now make it easier for international visitors to access major cities. An efficient internal transport system has reduced travel times, simplifying travel within the country to make India more accessible and convenient for global exhibitors and attendees alike.
Another key factor in India’s growing appeal is the improved efficiency in its bureaucracy. The introduction of an online visa system has streamlined the process significantly, removing a long-standing barrier for foreign organizers and participants.
With China’s exhibition market facing uncertainty, India’s growing stability, coupled with its rapidly expanding economy and young, dynamic population, presents an exciting opportunity for global trade show operators looking to capitalize on the opportunities in new markets.
“IEG never stops exploring new markets”—Francesco Santa, International Business Development Director of Italian Exhibition Group and CEO of IEG Middle East
Company Overview:
| Website: http://www.iegexpo.it/ |
| Sector: Event Services |
| Company size: 201-500 employees |
| Headquarters: Rimini |
| Type: Sole proprietorship |
| Areas of expertise: Made in Italy, Internationalization, Tourism, Transport, Wellness, Food & Beverage, Lifestyle, Leisure, Technology, Hospitality, Sustainability, Circular Economy, Sport, Renewable Energy and Jewellery and Fashion |
Corrado Peraboni—Key Achievements:
- International Expansion: Led the team to successfully transition from a national to an international player in the trade show industry.
- Pandemic Resilience: Navigated the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic and maintained the group’s position as a market leader.
- Revenue Growth: Increased the group’s share of turnover generated abroad, demonstrating significant success in international markets.
- Team Leadership: Cultivated a strong, creative, and organized team capable of achieving ambitious goals.
- Strategic Planning: Identified and addressed the group’s weaknesses, implementing strategies to improve international competitiveness.
Major Investments and Goals:
- Investment Plan: A total of €172 million has been allocated for various initiatives, including M&A activities, the redevelopment of the Vicenza Centre, and the expansion of Rimini Expo.
- Structural Expansion: Construction of two temporary halls in Rimini to accommodate growing event demand.
- Completion Timeline: The goal is to complete this phase of structural expansion and modernization by the end of 2028.
- Self-Financing: All investments are being funded through internal resources.
Financial Performance and Targets:
- Strong First-Half Results: The first half of 2024 saw significant growth in revenue (+13.2%), Adjusted EBITDA (+39%), and Adjusted EBITDA margin (+3.4 pts).
- Revenue Targets: Italian Exhibition Group aims to achieve €240 million in sales by the end of 2024 and surpass €300 million by the end of the business plan.
Q&A With the CEO, Corrado Peraboni: Personal Insights
1. What is your favorite book?
Answer: The Odyssey. I like to imagine how Homeric heroes would behave in the challenges of our century.
2. Who is the person you admire the most?
Answer: My father for the way he loved my mother.
3. Whose business story do you find the most inspiring?
Answer: Italy is a country of small businesses that export all over the world. Attending trade shows introduces you to fascinating stories of companies that originated from a simple workshop.
4. What is the most inspiring quote you have read?
Answer: “It’s not necessarily late if you don’t look at the time.”
5. Is constant control a need or a strategy?
Answer: Constant control is a strategy, but only when it’s not a necessity.
