Q1: You’ve been part of Conventa’s journey since the first edition. What does this 18-year milestone mean to you both professionally and personally?
Celebrating this important milestone together with the Conventa team represents a very significant moment for PromoTurismoFVG: on a human and personal level, over the years, we have built important and fundamental relationships of trust and friendship, which then reflect in professional relationships. There has always been an exchange of ideas, points of view, and proposals that have enriched our professional experience as well.
Professionally, over the years, the workshop has been an opportunity to get to know and experience Slovenia’s potential and to connect with the realities of Eastern Europe, which have grown exponentially.
Q2: How has your exhibiting approach evolved since your first Conventa?
From the first year I participated in Conventa, the approach has changed as Friuli Venezia Giulia became part of a more global offer that includes Northeast Italy and neighbouring countries such as Slovenia. In recent years, the Trieste Convention & Visitors Bureau has also been established, so the offer has increasingly focused on MICE and on the opportunities our Region and Trieste offer to the conference sector.
Q3: What keeps you returning to live trade shows in an era dominated by digital tools and platforms?
I think technology is very important and has allowed us to overcome moments like the 2020 pandemic, but I believe that personal contact is essential in our work, as well as the direct exchange of opinions and the sharing of experiences. Our work also relies on relationships, and these are built in person.
Q4: In your view, how have destinations or suppliers changed the way they present themselves at exhibitions over the years?
I believe that the way destinations present themselves has changed according to market demand. Fewer printed materials, less waste of resources, greater versatility, and more focus on sustainability. We must always adapt to changes and know how to make the most of them.
Q5: What does a “successful” trade show look like to you today? Has that definition changed over time?
A trade show can be considered successful when the buyers I meet are high-level, have specific, concrete requests, and demonstrate that they are prepared and motivated. Side events are also very important as they help create and strengthen relationships.
Q6: What’s been your key to building strong, long-term partnerships in this industry?
My key has been consistency, believing in what I do, and the conviction that what I offer is truly the best for my counterpart. Naturally, continuous and constant updating on market trends, the evolution of needs and demands, and the necessity of always being ready to face new challenges with enthusiasm and professionalism have been essential.
Q7: Can you share a moment at a trade show that had a lasting impact on you professionally or emotionally?
Rather than a single moment, what really stayed with me is why we keep coming back to Conventa year after year — we’ve been participating for 16 years now. It’s a very well-organised event that naturally encourages open conversations and real opportunities. I remember a spontaneous discussion with Slovenian partners that highlighted the strong potential for cross-border collaboration. That’s where Conventa really shows its value.
Q8: How do you see the role of live exhibitions evolving in a world of AI, hybrid formats and fast-changing expectations?
I believe that AI, hybrid formats and fast-changing expectations are important in supporting our work, but they cannot replace the value of personal and direct relationships and human intelligence, which is creativity and unpredictability.
Q9: What does real, meaningful engagement look like for you today, beyond just collecting leads or handing out brochures?
Involvement means, to me, recognising oneself year after year, reconnecting, collaborating on a common project, and promoting a destination by understanding the other party’s actual needs and expectations.
Q10: How has your preparation for a trade show changed compared to 10 or 15 years ago? What do you do differently today?
I carry only what is truly necessary; I limit the number of paper brochures; I prepare materials and presentations in advance that may be useful to my counterpart; and I anticipate possible requests by working ahead on the presentations for the buyers I will meet.
Q11: What one piece of advice would you give to first-time exhibitors?
I believe it is important to convey our enthusiasm to the person we are speaking with, be willing to accommodate others’ needs, and identify the strengths of our region that can make a difference and truly meet the requests we receive.
Q12: What’s the most exciting opportunity you see for exhibitors in the near future?
The opportunity is to build strong, lasting, trusting relationships with interlocutors, because a destination is often chosen for the added value it can offer on a human level, as well as for the need to have a reliable, present contact.
Q13: After all these years, what keeps you passionate about showing up not just physically, but with real energy and purpose?
Surely believing in what I do, loving my work and the area I represent. But also the strong relationships built over the years with other colleagues, the new connections that are born at every edition, and the feeling of being part of a community that grows and evolves together.
Find out more about PromoTurismoFVG here.
