Marble diplomacy takes the stage at Marmomac 2025 with 1.400 companies from 50 countries

The opened its doors at Veronafiere today: Natural stone until 26 September becomes a universal language, a tool for economic diplomacy, and a platform for a global community of 1,400 techno-stone sector companies, two-thirds of which international from 50 countries, with a combined turnover of 10 billion euros.

“This trade fair,” said the Minister for European Affairs, Cohesion Policies and PNRR, Thomas Foti, during the inauguration,” is growing in prestige every year. It is a massively important occasion for the natural stone sector and especially for Made in Italy, since Verona brings together materials and technologies that hold high the flag of am industry capable of exporting 72% of its production.”

Marmomac’s role as an international hub for natural stone is further confirmed by the 50,000 professionals and buyers from nearly 150 countries expected to crowd the 12 show halls. A major campaign promoting incoming attendance from target markets was also implemented in collaboration with ITA-Italian Trade Agency and Confindustria Marmomacchine.

“Marmomac is much more than just a business showcase,” said the president of Veronafiere, Federico Bricolo, during the opening ceremony, “but above all an industrial policy tool embodying true ‘marble diplomacy” expressing, that is to say, a uniquely Italian ability to transform trade fairs into venues where geopolitics interact with the real economy. In a scenario affected by major uncertainties, tariffs and duties, trade wars and changing logistics routes, Veronafiere for four days becomes a stable crossroads for relationships that develop into trust for businesses and markets.”

Alongside its business dimension, Marmomac will also confirm its cultural, design and experimental vocation in 2025. The event ensures ample space to initiatives involving architects, designers, and international universities, called upon to interpret the potential of natural stone through new languages. This approach promotes design as a strategic lever for the growth of the natural stone industry through its ability to bring manufacturing traditions and technological innovation together.

Projects include the return of Marmomac and the City, the open-air exhibition that takes works in natural stone out of the show halls and into the heart of Verona, in collaboration with the city council and ArtVerona. Urban installations, sculptures, and furnishings set up with input from companies also help turn the city into an open-air stage, thereby strengthening dialogue between the Exhibition Centre, the Veneto Region and the local community by the general public a unique opportunity connecting art and material culture.

The opening ceremony for Marmomac 2025 was also attended by the Mayor of Verona, Damiano Tommasi, the President of the Province of Verona, Flavio Massimo Pasini, the President of the Veneto Region, Luca Zaia, the President of Confindustria Marmomacchine, Gianluca Pellegrino, the President of ITA-Italian Trade Agency, Matteo Zoppas, and the President of Milanez&Milaneze, Flávia Milaneze. Veronafiere was also represented by CEO Barbara Ferro and General Manager Adolfo Rebughini.

Other Italian and international institutional attendance also and especially included: the Regional Councillor for Industry of the Sardinia Region, Emanuele Cani, the Minister of Industry and Commerce of Rajasthan, Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore, the Consul General of India in Milan, Lavanya Kumar, the Consul General of Brazil in Milan, Hadil da Rocha Vianna; and the Ambassador of the Sultan of Oman to Italy, Nazar Al Said.

A selection of other comments:

Matteo Zoppas, president of ITA-Italian Trade Agency: “Marmomac is not merely a trade fair but above all an international workshop where Italy demonstrates its ability to turn tradition and innovation into globally acknowledged leadership. Against this background, close to 180 international operators brought to Verona by ITA demonstrates the value of the joint efforts with Veronafiere and Confindustria Marmomacchine: a commitment that by no means limited to promoting Made in Italy but also to building bridges between companies, markets and cultures, thereby turning trade fairs into strategic platforms for growth in the entire supply chain.”

Gianluca Pellegrino, President of Confindustria Marmomacchine: “Talking about ‘marble diplomacy’ today means describing how an entire industrial sector – that boasts ancient roots while also focusing on the future – is moving to confirm the value of Italian natural stone and related quarrying and processing technologies worldwide. We would like to point out that our supply chain has a very strong international vocation, with a propensity for exports of more than 70% of production and an annual balance of trade in the black by more than 2.7 billion euros.”

Damiano Tommasi, Mayor of Verona: “Marmomac fully expresses the culture, craftsmanship, history, and tradition of our natural stone districts. Values that are clearly visible in Verona itself through the Arena in the city centre: a unique monument and an emblem of natural stone. The natural stone sector tells a story of people and businesses, often small and family-owned, who an international stage to emerge and grow thanks to Marmomac.”

Flavio Massimo Pasini, President of the Province of Verona: “Verona is a city of marble and companies that work with this material. Hundreds of companies operate in our province, especially as regards processing, cutting, and modelling. All the major trade fairs held in Verona share intimate links with local skills and expertise. Over the years, they have grown, expanded and internationalised. After all, trade fairs are no different from companies, the kind we here Veneto and other regions know well. Founded ‘in the family’ and raised in the world, with solid foundations and values behind them.”

Luca Zaia, President of the Veneto Region: “Marmomac is a source of great pride for the Veneto region: The Verona Stone District boasts more than 600 companies and thousands of employees, it is the beating heart of a sector that takes the beauty and quality of our natural stones into the world. The 2025 edition – and its focus on communication, cohesion and growth – is proof of how tradition and innovation can develop side by side, strengthen the identity of the Veneto Region and confirm our role as a leading exponent on an international scale.”