Presentation of the XXII edition of Vitrum

Presentation of the XXII edition of VITRUM “MEET VITRUM 2021: WHERE THE GLASS INDUSTRY COMES ALIVE”, took place Tuesday February 2, 2021 via webinar with approximately 70 remote participants including journalists, trade associations and Italian and international exhibitors.

The event outlined the features and innovations to be showcased at the XXII edition of VITRUM – the international trade show specialized in machinery, equipment and systems for flat and hollow glass and in glass and processed products for industry – to take place October 5-8 at the Fiera Milano Rho exhibition district.

Event host was VITRUM President, Dino Zandonella Necca, assisted by Director, Fabrizio Cattaneo.

The latest news and announcements included:

• the new pricing system based on stand size that encourages exhibitors to display their technologies at the show.
• the “GLASS IS” project, the themed pathway that runs parallel to and integrates the already well-established Specialized, to highlight the qualities end users can expect in glass products, while also promoting the technologies that made them possible,
• the new VITRUM Life editorial portal, that hosts constantly updated news from exhibitors and the world of glass, and
• Glass Week, complementary to the show, it places glass at the center of attention in Milan, engaging trade professionals, citizens and tourists through exhibits and themed events.

Offering exhibitor testimonials during the webinar were Raphaël Prati, Group Marketing & Communications Director for Biesse SpA and Barbara Antonini, entrepreneur and Board Member of Antonini Srl who, drawing on first-hand experience, shared their perspectives on the outlook for the show and for the industry, in light of the current situation.

Also participating was Caterina Consales, Wealth Advisor at Banca Mediolanum, the bank that has developed a profitable partnership with GIMAV and that sees VITRUM as a key opportunity to add value and expand the existing partnership.

Sufficient space was left for questions from the exhibitors and Italian and international journalists who, on one hand, voiced their concerns over the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the event and, on the other, once again expressed their support of and loyalty to the VITRUM and Glass Week projects.

“We are invested in offering our exhibitors and visitors an in-person trade fair filled with new events and activities; we feel certain that in October the conditions will be right for it to happen and we will do everything we can to make VITRUM 2021 the best edition possible” – stated VITRUM Director, Fabrizio Cattaneo – “We are well aware that a show cannot be changed in a single edition, much less when the surrounding culture is still deeply scarred; however, our goal is to take as many steps as possible in the right direction to make the new path clear, right from the start.”

“We must accept that this type of platform is necessary” – remarked President Zandonella Necca with reference to the innovative format in which the VITRUM 2021 presentation took place – “In such uncommon times, it allowed us to do away with the space barriers and travel limitations, while still feeling united, though at a distance; we are a diverse group but one with a shared passion for our sector, to which we have the duty, as well as the desire to hold its name high and promote its worth. This platform is a tool with immense potential that will not replace, but certainly should incorporate the events that, in the future – which we all hope is near – we will return to attending in person.

VITRUM too, is no exception, which is why we are working on a digital twin of the next edition.”

The video of the live-streamed event is available on the VITRUM YouTube channel: