From 26 to 28 June, Carbonia, Sardinia, will become the meeting point for the Italian and international meeting industry, hosting the 35ᵗʰ Annual Convention of the MPI Italia Chapter. Three days of education, networking, team building, and memorable experiences in the heart of south-western Sardinia.
The 2026 edition, “From Underground to Global Sea Routes: Gateway to the Sulcis,” organised by the Municipality of Carbonia in collaboration with the MPI Italia Chapter, tells the story of a territory that, starting from its mining identity, is now looking towards international connections, sustainability, and new models of development in the congress, tourism, and economic sectors.
“Carbonia proudly welcomes the 35ᵗʰ Annual Convention of the MPI Italia Chapter, an important opportunity to promote the historical, cultural, and landscape heritage of Sulcis abroad and to strengthen the positioning of the territory within the international meetings and events tourism landscape,” state the Mayor of Carbonia, Pietro Morittu, and the Deputy Mayor and Councillor for Tourism, Michele Stivaletta.
“With this Convention, we aim to showcase a destination that has successfully transformed its history into a driver for the future. Sulcis represents a virtuous example of how cultural heritage, sustainability, authenticity, and innovation can come together to create meaningful experiences for the national and international meeting and event industry, as well as for local communities,” says Ileana Coiana, President of the MPI Italia Chapter.
The event has a strong international dimension, with the participation of international buyers and speakers from several countries, including Rainer Suhr, Head of Tourism and Marketing at Oberhausener Wirtschafts- und Tourismusförderung (Germany) – who will share the experience of a European city that, like Carbonia, has a strong mining heritage – and Thijs Peters, member of the International Board of Directors of MPI (Meeting Professionals International), who will lead the interactive session “The Venue Game: Bridging the Gap Between Planners & Venues,” focused on fostering dialogue between event planners and venues.
Among the international destinations and organisations attending the Convention are Riviera Maya, Constance Hotels & Resorts from the Indian Ocean region, New Imagination DMC China, and the Oman Convention Bureau.
At the heart of the destination storytelling will be the session dedicated to Sulcis Iglesiente, featuring contributions from Giacomo Paglietti, curator of the Carbonia Museum System (SiMuC), Pietro Bonato, mining engineer, Ruggero Soru from the Sulcis Paleoenvironment Museum “E.A. Martel,” and Mauro Villani from the Coal Museum, a journey through archaeology, environment, industry, and memory, showing how the heritage of the past can become a driver for new tourism and business events narratives.
Within the program, a focus will be on the new trends transforming tourism and events, with a contribution by Marco Bruschini from the Ministry of Agriculture on the opportunities offered by wine tourism for the meeting and event industry. Wide attention will also be given to experiential tourism models and dispersed hospitality through the contributions of Andrea Tarozzi, Maurizio Battelli, and Luca Zambianchi, protagonists of a discussion on the role of the Santa Barbara Mining Trail as a virtuous example of territorial enhancement, capable of combining sustainability, culture, hospitality, and local development. A reflection on Sardinia’s identity, symbolism, and spiritual dimension will feature scholar of symbolism Cristina Muntoni and journalist and writer Leyla Manunza.
Immersive destination experiences
Among the leading female voices of the Convention are two distinguished figures from Sardinia: writer, poet and wordsmith Paola Musa, shortlisted for the Strega Prize in 2024 – who will take participants on a journey through memory, identity, and imagination by sharing the story of the Sulcis Mining District – and Chiara Vigo, master weaver of sea silk, custodian of a unique tradition in the world and a witness to the deep connection between sea and land, nominated for UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage recognition.
The Convention also affirms its commitment to the new generation of professionals by showcasing candidates for the MPI Italia Chapter Thesis Award, an initiative dedicated to promoting innovative research and studies in the meetings and events sector. It will also highlight sustainability and corporate social responsibility in events through the MPI Italia CSR Award, sharing projects and best practices that generate positive impacts for destinations and host communities, with Lorenzo Orlandi, founder of LOCOM.
Participants will enjoy immersive experiences, including a team-building activity at the Serbariu Mine, a bridge between past and future and a guardian of Sardinia’s mining heritage, as well as a guided visit to Porto Flavia, a remarkable example of Sardinian industrial archaeology, complemented by opportunities to discover the region’s landscapes, traditions, and local food and wine excellence.
Learn more about the MPI Italia Chapter here.
