What Fiere di Parma does

Fiere di Parma S.p.A. operates a 135,000 sqm exhibition complex in Parma, Italy — the Food Valley — and organizes more than 20 trade fairs annually across food and food technology, art and lifestyle, outdoor, and laboratory/analytical sectors. Its portfolio is anchored by flagship owned brands: Cibus (the biennial Italian agri-food reference exhibition co-organized with Federalimentare), Cibus TEC (food and beverage technology, run via the Koeln Parma Exhibitions joint venture with Koelnmesse), Mercanteinfiera (antiques and collectibles), and Salone del Camper (caravanning). The company also operates TUTTOFOOD in partnership with Fiera Milano (which holds an 18.5% cross-shareholding), and has expanded into adjacent verticals through equity stakes and strategic alliances — notably Roma Bar Show (Spirits & Mixology), BBQ Expo (outdoor cooking), Solids Parma (bulk solids), and Butcher Show (meat supply chain). Venue infrastructure is supported by 9,000+ parking spaces, 8 modern exhibition halls with fiber and utilities, a 17,000 sqm Palaverdi convention center, and a 7MW on-site photovoltaic system producing ~5.5 million kWh annually under ISO 20121 certification.

Revenue mechanics center on three streams: exhibition space rental (one-time booth licensing across the calendar of events), visitor ticket sales, and ancillary services such as stand construction, catering, parking, and technical support. Go-to-market is event-driven, monetized through direct exhibitor and visitor relationships, industry association partnerships (Federalimentare, ITA, Easyfairs), and co-ownership models with international fair operators. A digital extension layer — the My Business Cibus platform indexing ~200,000 products from 3,000 companies — enables year-round B2B matching between Italian food producers and international buyers. Ownership is mixed public-private, anchored by Crédit Agricole Italia (26.42%), Fiera Milano (18.50%), and local public entities (Comune di Parma, Provincia di Parma, Regione Emilia-Romagna collectively ~36%). FY2024 results were €47M revenue and €12M EBITDA with €35M in cash liquidity earmarked for further M&A.

Name

Fiere di Parma

Legal name

Fiere di Parma S.p.A.

Website

https://fiereparma.it

Company type

Private

Founded year

1945

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Fiere di Parma is an Italian exhibition center and trade fair organizer operating a 135,000 sqm venue in Parma, hosting 20+ annual B2B events across food, antiques, outdoor, and industrial sectors for international exhibitors and professional buyers.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Trade Fair and Exhibition Services

NAICS

Performing Arts, Spectator Sports, and Related Industries (711)

akta.pro primary industry

Multipurpose Event Center Operations (Civic Centers, Community Event Complexes) (MPAGALAE)

Keywords

• Trade fair organization
• Exhibition venue rental
• B2B event hosting
• Convention center operations
• Trade show management

Headquarters

HQ city

Parma

HQ country

Italy

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Operations, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. Exhibition Space Rental: Revenue from renting exhibition space to exhibitors at trade shows. The company hosts over 20 exhibitions annually across 135,000 sqm of exhibition space.
2. Event Ticket Sales: Revenue from visitor ticket sales for trade fair attendance.
3. Exhibition Services: Additional services including stand design assistance, technical services, catering, parking, and other ancillary services for exhibitors and visitors.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

Fiere di Parma operates a 135,000 sqm exhibition complex in Parma, Italy, organizing over 20 trade fairs and exhibitions annually across food and food technology, antiques, outdoor, industrial automation, dental, and laboratory sectors. Core flagship events include Cibus (Italian food), Cibus TEC (food technology), Tuttofood (international food), and Mercanteinfiera (antiques and collectibles). Revenue comes from exhibitor space rental, visitor ticket sales, and ancillary event services such as booth construction, catering, parking, and technical infrastructure.

Product overview

Fiere di Parma operates as a trade fair and exhibition center with a portfolio of 20+ major events across food & food technology, art & lifestyle, outdoor, and lab & analysis categories. The core products include flagship food events Cibus, Cibus TEC, and Tuttofood; antiques fairs Mercanteinfiera and ArtParma Fair; outdoor events including Salone del Camper and EOS; and specialized B2B events like SPS Italia, Labotec, and Solids Parma. Additionally, Roma Bar Show extends their footprint to Rome. The company also operates Palaverdi, a 17,000 sqm multipurpose convention center. Digital services include My Business Cibus B2B matching platform. Key partnerships include Koeln Parma Exhibitions (joint venture with Koelnmesse) for Cibus TEC and Labotec, and strategic alliance with Fiera Milano. The portfolio serves B2B professionals across food, antiques, outdoor, automotive, dental, industrial automation, and photography sectors.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Cibus International Made in Italy Food Exhibition serving as the reference B2B event for the Italian agri-food sector, with conferences, round tables, and four days of exhibitions showcasing complete Made in Italy food products exclusively for trade professionals.
• Cibus TEC Food and beverage technology exhibition showcasing complete solutions from ingredients to processing technologies, packaging to logistics, organized via the Koeln Parma Exhibitions joint venture with Koelnmesse.
• Tuttofood International Food Exhibition held at Fiera Milano Rho, serving as Southern Europe's leading food B2B business platform with networking opportunities, professional tours, and buyer programs.
• Mercanteinfiera International fair of antiques, modernism, and collectibles featuring over 1,000 operators displaying works ranging from 15th century pieces to Art Deco and vintage collectibles.
• BBQ Expo National exhibition dedicated to outdoor cooking, grilling, and BBQ with over 300 exhibitor brands, pitmaster demonstrations, and tastings.
• Butcher Show Fully B2B trade fair dedicated to the meat supply chain where butchers, processors, buyers, and restaurateurs find raw materials, equipment, technologies, packaging, and digitalization solutions.
• Salone del Camper Reference exhibition for caravanning and open-air tourism featuring latest vehicles, campsite equipment, and Italian culinary excellences.
• EOS - European Outdoor Show Main gathering for enthusiasts of hunting, sport shooting, fishing, boating, and outdoor activities featuring courses, workshops, and practical demonstrations across three large halls.
• Greenitaly Leading event in Italy for horticulture and landscaping sector companies and professionals, showcasing innovative products, technologies, and services with training and networking programs.
• Labotec Italian trade show dedicated to technologies and solutions for laboratories and analysis, featuring innovations in scientific research, quality control, diagnostics, and technological development.
• SPS Italia Leading exhibition for industrial automation and digital transformation featuring six exhibition halls with Digital District demo areas including Academy, Start-up, Industrial IT & AI, and Focus AI sections.
• Solids Parma European series of bulk solids industry trade shows featuring solutions for handling, processing, storage, analysis, and transport of granular and powdered materials.
• Roma Bar Show International Bar & Beverage Show held at Roma Convention Center La Nuvola, bringing together thousands of brands and sector operators with focus on hospitality and conscious consumers.
• Parma Comics & Games Pop culture exhibition dedicated to comics, video games, board games, cosplay, K-pop, and geek/nerd culture with specialized exhibitors and gaming areas.
• Colloquium Dental Show Congress for dentists, dental technicians, companies, and industry professionals with over 30 years of history featuring technological innovations and international expert networking.
• ArtParma Fair Modern and Contemporary Art fair held alongside Mercanteinfiera featuring works from important authors including Damien Hirst, Christo, Andy Warhol, and other pop-art exponents.
• Mia Photo Fair BNP Paribas Italy's most important international photography art fair featuring Solo Show and Group Show exhibitions with specific curatorial projects.
• Carp Parma International exhibition for carp fishing, feeder fishing, and catfish fishing featuring top companies, retailers, and industry personalities.
• Automotoretrò Italian exhibition dedicated to historic motoring featuring vintage cars and motorcycles, spare parts, automobilia, and model making with themed areas on rally and competition.
• Palaverdi Multipurpose Center Multipurpose 17,000 sqm convention center area with 5,000 sqm plenary hall accommodating up to 4,000 persons, 7 conference rooms with 150-600 seats, and 400 sqm equipped stage.
• My Business Cibus Digital Platform Innovative digital B2B sourcing and business matching platform enabling international operators to search and select products from Cibus exhibitors, indexing nearly 200,000 products from thousands of companies.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 40,000 professional visitors from 100+ countries at major events
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers7 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

13 partnerships are on record, tiered minor, major and core.

• BID – Déballage ItaliaminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025Agreement to bring monthly deballage events to major Italian cities, starting from Parma. Format characterized by streamlined, fast, highly selective approach for antiques professionals.
• BBQ ExpomajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025Strategic alliance making Fiere di Parma the home of BBQ Expo, the first Italian pole for barbecue. BBQ Expo 2026 will be held at Fiere di Parma, combining BBQ culture with Food Valley excellence.
• Roma Bar ShowmajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 November 2024Fiere di Parma acquired equity stake in Roma Bar Show, the reference event for Italian Spirits & Mixology market. Aims for leadership in sector worth $1.8 trillion globally.
• Fiera MilanocoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 9 March 2023Strategic agreement for harmonized management of agri-food events Cibus and Tuttofood. Fiera Milano acquired 18.5% stake becoming second largest private shareholder. Tuttofood moved to Fiera Milano Rho venue.
• EasyfairsmajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 5 August 2022Partnership to organize Solids Parma exhibition dedicated to bulk solids, granules, and powder technologies. First Italian edition held June 2023 with 150+ exhibitors and 4,000+ professional visitors expected.
• Emc2 OnlusminorOthers · 1 January 2018Partnership for efficient recycling of paper and cardboard produced in offices and during events through compactors.
• Banco Alimentare FoundationminorOthers · 1 January 1994Since 1994, collaboration to recover and donate unused food at end of events to charitable organizations. At recent Cibus Parma 2024 and TUTTOFOOD Milan 2025, 15 tons of food recovered per event.
• KoelnmessecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerJoint venture 'Koeln Parma Exhibitions' (KPE) between Fiere di Parma and Koelnmesse for organizing Cibus TEC (food technology) and Labotec (laboratory technologies) exhibitions. Both events are held at Fiere di Parma venue.
• FederalimentarecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLong-standing partnership with Federalimentare for organizing Cibus, the reference event for Made in Italy food sector. Federalimentare is the historical partner for Cibus exhibitions.
• ITA - Italian Trade AgencycoreGTM or Marketing PartnerCooperation with ITA on TUTTOFOOD Buyers Program, bringing over 4,000 international professionals including 90 Japanese buyers for TUTTOFOOD 2026 to connect with Italian and international exhibitors.
• Corepla ConsortiumminorOthersPartnership for installation of eco-compactors in exhibition halls for proper recycling of plastic bottles consumed at the fair.
• SaviolaminorOthersPartnership for wood waste recovery from event setups. Wood is fully collected and recycled with corresponding supply chain certification.
• ICE - AgenziaminorGTM or Marketing PartnerBuyers Program support for Roma Bar Show international positioning, bringing international operators to the event.

Scale indicators12 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Easyfairs: Belgian-based trade fair organizer and existing Fiere di Parma partner (Solids Parma JV). Operates a portfolio of ~150 events across Europe with comparable business model targeting B2B verticals like bulk solids, automation, and packaging.
• Veronafiere: Private Italian trade fair operator in Verona, organizer of Vinitaly (world's largest wine fair), Marmomac, and Fieracavalli. Competes with Fiere di Parma in the regional Italian venue market and shares ownership structure with local public entities.
• Fiera Milano: Italy's largest listed trade fair operator and Fiere di Parma's strategic partner (18.5% shareholder). Operates Fiera Milano Rho, hosts TUTTOFOOD under the JV agreement, and competes/collaborates directly across food, industrial, and lifestyle events.
• Koelnmesse: German trade fair organizer and JV partner of Fiere di Parma via Koeln Parma Exhibitions for Cibus TEC and Labotec. One of the world's largest trade fair companies by revenue, with comparable food-technology and industrial automation events.
• BolognaFiere: Private Italian trade fair operator headquartered in Bologna. Organizes flagship food and packaging events (Cibus Tec competitor historically, Cosmofood, Sana) and competes directly with Fiere di Parma in the Northern Italian agri-food segment.
• Italian Exhibition Group (Rimini Fiera): Major Italian trade fair operator listed on the Milan Stock Exchange (IEG). Operates Rimini Fiera and Vicenza Fiera venues, organizing comparable B2B events in food, tourism, and lifestyle — a direct competitor in the Italian fairground market.

Broad incumbents

• Messe Frankfurt: One of the world's largest trade fair companies, operating Frankfurt Fairground and ~30 events globally including Ambiente (consumer goods) and IFFA (meat processing). A broader incumbent with overlapping food technology and consumer goods portfolios.
• Informa Markets (Informa PLC): Global exhibitions and B2B events arm of Informa PLC, organizing food & beverage events (including Gulfood, Foodex Japan) and hundreds of trade shows worldwide. Operates at materially larger scale as a broad incumbent in the same industry category.
• Messe München (Messe Munich): Major German trade fair organizer hosting IFAT, bauma, drinktec, and food-related B2B events. Operates at a significantly larger scale than Fiere di Parma with comparable venue infrastructure and international visitor programs.

Regional players

• Fiera di Roma / Rome Convention Center: Italian trade fair venue in Rome where Fiere di Parma's acquired Roma Bar Show is held (Roma Convention Center La Nuvola). A regional peer in central/southern Italy with overlap in the spirits & mixology events segment.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/fierediparmaofficial

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles9 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Fiere di Parma