Bologna is a very easy city to visit, despite its size and importance as the capital of its province and of Emilia-Romagna. It is also one of Italy’s most appealing cities thanks to its reputation as Italy's gastronomic capital.
Why exhibit there?
Bologna has a thriving economy, and is ranked first in Italy in terms of its economic growth rate.
Bologna's local economy is reliant on heavy industry and manufacturing and is also one of the largest food processing industries in the world.
There is also a strong financial center and it is home to many Italian insurance companies, as well as having one of the largest exhibition centers in Europe, the Fiera District.
Getting there
Bologna airport is 9 km from the centre of Bologna. The fastest way to get from Bologna airport into Bologna is via the regular shuttle aerobus-BLQ.
Restrictions on what you can bring into the country
There are no unusual restrictions limiting what you can bring into Italy. Check their list though, just in case.
Top hotels
Main exhibition venues
Exhibitions we have supported
Services we provide
- Booth Host/Hostess
- Lead Generator
- Crowd Gatherer
- Product Demonstrator
- EMCEE
- Hospitality Staff
- Brand Ambassador
- Engager
- Interpreter/Translator
- Team Leaders
- Event Managers
Key tourist hotspots
Explore the Piazza Maggiore and Piazza del Nettuno, two adjoining squares in the heart of the city. Don’t forget to take in San Petronio (Basilica of St. Petronius), the massive church that dominates one side of Piazza Maggiore. Work began on it in 1390, and it was designed to be even bigger than St. Peter's in Rome, but it never quite made it.
Alternatively, take a look around Santo Stefano (St. Stephen Basilica). While Bologna has no shortage of interesting churches, Santo Stefano is by far the oldest and the most atmospheric.
Restaurants
- Osteria Dell’orsa. Start with a bowl of al dente tortellini in a simple broth or rich and meaty tagliatelle al ragu, and then move to a classic cotoletta bolognese or milanese.
- Il Tinello is always packed with locals and tourists. Try its range of perfectly rare red meats and selection of tempting sides, such as grilled celeriac and grated tomato.
Bonus round
- Local currency is Euro.
- Language is Italian.
- Visa - if you’re from within the EU you don’t need one, outwith the EU you’ll have to check the list.
- Plug sockets are the two prong European type.
- There are no real cultural sensitivities so to speak, but advice for conducting business meetings:
- Meetings begin punctually late: they start late and they finish late.
- Italians tend to ”multitask”, as they like to do many things at once, shifting their priorities as new demands arise but being unruffled by interruptions.