The ceremony was attended by the Group’s top management, institutions, and national gold and jewellery association representatives.
After the blessing by Don Giampaolo Marta, vicar general of the Diocese of Vicenza, Volking Marg handed the expansion project to IEG president Maurizio Ermeti in a container, who in turn placed it in the concrete block. Together with mayor Giacomo Possamai, provincial president Andrea Nardin, and Vicenza Chamber of Commerce president Giorgio Xoccato, Ermeti and Marg gave the foundation stone a symbolic tap with a trowel. Managing director Corrado Peraboni, operations director and director of IEG’s Vicenza venue Mario Vescovo, chief corporate officer Carlo Costa and chief business officer Marco Carniello also attended on behalf of IEG.
Maurizio Ermeti, president of IEG: “More than fifty years ago, visionaries laid the foundation stone of the ‘snail’ with the hope of improving their lives, businesses and the territory. Today, with this symbolic gesture, we are renewing that intention by building a larger, more technological and powerful structure to maintain Vicenzaoro’s status as a European and international leader in the jewellery sector. Not only that, this new infrastructure will also allow us to expand our calendar of events and that of our congress centre, making us even more attractive. Our thanks go to the city, the territory and the stakeholders who have supported our vision.”
“Phase 2” of Vicenza Expo Centre’s expansion and redevelopment work, led by Mario Vescovo, IEG’s Director of Operations and Director of the Vicenza venue, in relation to the construction of the new, modern and functional building to be erected on the area previously occupied by Halls 2 and 5, is proceeding in full compliance with the timeline set by IEG. After the demolition stages of the old buildings and land reclamation, the construction site has now been handed over to the civil works company, which is carrying out the piling work needed to support the subsequent foundations. The start of the above-ground construction will already be visible in time for Vicenzaoro January 2025, while at Vicenzaoro September 2025, headed by IEG’s global exhibition manager, Matteo Farsura, the unfinished construction will be seen in its entirety, thanks to the completion that will take place over the summer. Work will then continue with system installations and finishing works to be completed in spring 2026.
Giacomo Possamai, mayor of Vicenza: “The laying of the foundation stone for the Expo Centre’s new hall is an extremely important signal for the city. One that testifies to IEG’s willingness to invest in Vicenza and that gives a bright future to Vicenza Expo Centre and the economy of our city, which has always been linked to the show. It therefore transmits the idea of a Vicenza that is continuing to grow and invest and is looking to the future with confidence.”
