vicenzaoro.com | People Product Places
Alberto Stefani, president of the Veneto Region: «Veneto is the beating heart of Italian goldsmithing excellence. With over 1,200 artisan businesses, our region generates 26% of the sector’s national exports. The Vicenza district, in particular, is the pride of our know-how: an example recognised worldwide for its quality and resilience, which shines on the global stage of Vicenzaoro as it interacts with international markets and takes the beauty, history and craftsmanship of our country into the world. The Region supports this leadership by promoting internationalisation, innovation and sustainability and strengthening supply chains in collaboration with the world of education and research. This is how Veneto continues to compete globally, creating value, jobs and a future for our region.»
Corrado Peraboni, CEO of Italian Exhibition Group: «This edition opens in a complex moment for our sector but with a strong signal of confidence and optimism. Thanks to a joint effort involving businesses, trade associations, and local, regional and national institutions, and the support of the country system, we have managed to keep Vicenzaoro at the centre of the international scene. This is the last edition in an Expo Centre undergoing transformation: we will be inaugurating a new phase in September with a renovated and even more competitive facility. Vicenza is sending a clear message: when people come together, places become drivers of development and products become expressions of a system that works. Vicenzaoro is not only a showcase for Made in Italy products, but also concrete proof of what the country can achieve when it works as a system.»
Luca Zaia, president of the Veneto Regional Council: «Vicenza’s goldsmiths are world ambassadors for Veneto and Made in Italy: they take quality, style, innovation and a work culture that sets us apart wherever they go. And they do so at a time that can be complicated with conflicts affecting markets and an international climate in which the word “war” rather than the word “peace” is heard all too often. That is why, as institutions and business associations, we must continue to stand by the world of goldsmithing, supporting companies and those who defend competitiveness and employment every day.»
Giacomo Possamai, mayor of Vicenza: «This is a moment of great importance for the city, the province and the region: Vicenzaoro is increasingly becoming the benchmark, even at a global level, for gold and jewellery trade shows. It is an important moment for the sector because there are so many difficulties, but the equally important sign that will also come from this edition is that the show continues to do very well and to register record numbers of visitors. This demonstrates that, even in difficult times, the sector has a great desire to react. Vicenzaoro is the most international event for the city and the province, but the best thing about it is that it is a show that is part of our region’s history. Since IEG was founded, following the merger with Rimini, it has become an even greater international showcase for the sector.»
Andrea Nardin, president of the Province of Vicenza «Vicenzaoro January 2026 opens under the best of circumstances: seeing the exhibition spaces completely sold out with over 1,300 brands is a tangible sign of a district that not only holds its own, but leads the way in global excellence. Vicenza confirms its status as the “capital of light”, capable of attracting the entire global supply chain at a time of profound transformation within the industry, demonstrating its ability to decisively tackle not only economic challenges but also generational ones. Vicenzaoro is, and must be, the place where young people find out that gold is not just tradition, but also high technology, cutting-edge design and sustainability. Our higher education institutions offer first-class courses that are breeding grounds for extraordinary talent. We are committed to ensuring that these courses are increasingly linked with companies in the district, so that generational change becomes the real gem of our production system.»
Maria Cristina Squarcialupi, president of Federorafi Confindustria representing all the national gold and jewellery trade associations: «It is with pride that I make my public debut as President of Confindustria Federorafi here at Vicenzaoro. My term of office begins in a complex market context: in the first nine months of 2025, sector exports fell by more than 15% compared to 2024 with an estimated loss of around €2 billion at the end of the year. Geopolitical instability, rising raw material prices, tariffs and changes in consumer behaviour are weighing heavily with markets such as Turkey and the United States slowing down, while the United Arab Emirates, Switzerland and the United Kingdom are holding steady. Despite this, the Italian jewellery industry is still an Italian manufacturing excellence and the third largest producer in the world. My mandate focuses on continuity of governance, enhancement of the supply chain and strengthening of services to businesses. Central to this is “system building” and institutional dialogue to improve access to foreign markets and support the competitiveness of Made in Italy jewellery.»
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