With roots in the future
Established in 2000, Fondazione Fiera Milano is a non-profit private law entity. Since its inception, it has the support of the exhibition sector in its DNA as an industrial policy tool for the growth and internationalization of businesses.
In 2002, it was one of the first drivers of the city’s economic and urban development, with the construction of the exhibition centre FieraMilano and related facilities in Rho-Pero, and simultaneously in Milan with the requalification of the historic exhibition district and the creation of CityLife.
Over the years, Fondazione Fiera Milano has led the development of the Milan exhibition and congress system, making it increasingly competitive, attractive, and sustainable.
Fondazione Fiera Milano makes its Knowledge Research, the Academy, and Historic Archives available to the Fiera Milano Group, the companies operating in the exhibition industry, and the public.
Over the years, the mission of the Foundation has gradually expanded from local and economic development to social, cultural, and scientific development, for a comprehensive commitment to sustainability and inclusiveness.
Two years after the first Fiera Campionaria (the old trade fair), the “Ente Autonomo Fiera Internazionale di Milano”, an independent entity for the organization of the international Milan trade show, is created under a Royal Decree issued by King Vittorio Emanuele III on 1 July 1922.
The Ente buys the land plot called Piazza d’Armi to build a sport facility, Palazzo dello Sport, and the two buildings called Palazzine degli Orafi, one of which hosts the headquarters of the Foundation.
The construction of the pavilions is completed and many editions of the Fiera Campionaria are held in sequence.
The last edition of the Fiera Campionaria is replaced by a programme that, today, includes over 50 sector trade shows.
New exhibition pavilions are built in the former industrial area of Portello, covering an area of 74K sq.m.
“Ente Autonomo Fiera Campionaria Internazionale di Milano” becomes “Fondazione Fiera Milano”.
Fiera Milano S.p.A. is listed in the electronic share market of the Italian Stock Exchange.
The FieraMilano district is built in 30 months. Designed by architect Massimiliano Fuksas, it offers a total of 530K sq.m. of indoor space in 20 pavilions and 60K sq.m. of outdoor space.
With the start of activities at Fieramilano, the Foundation returned two thirds of the historic district to the city through an international urban design competition that was awarded to the CityLife project.
Together with the Municipality of Milan, the Regional Government of Lombardy, the Province of Milan, and the Milan Chamber of Commerce, Fondazione Fiera Milano takes part in the Expo 2015 Promoter Committee, and is also one of the founding members of Fondazione Comunitaria Nord Milano (North Milan Community Foundation).
Fondazione Fiera Milano joins Arexpo and contributes about 158K sq.m. of its own land for the development of Expo2015.
Allianz MiCo is opened, one of the largest and most modern conference centres in Europe.
In the year of the centenary, Covid-19 stops the world. But the commitment of Fondazione Fiera Milano continues with the construction of the largest ICU (intensive care unit) in Europe, plus two vaccine hubs the following year.
Fondazione Fiera Milano is planning to requalify its real estate assets in the historic city district.