Successful SaMoTer attracts international audience

Federico Bricolo, president of Veronafiere, welcoming visitors during the opening ceremony (Image: SaMoTer)

Organised in partnership with the Italian Construction Equipment Association (UNACEA) and the Committee for European Construction Equipment (CECE), the show featured 526 exhibitors, including 124 international companies from 22 countries.

Visitor numbers were up just slightly from 41,000 to 42,000, however, this must be seen in the context of the show having been reduced from five to four days.

The size of the event was significantly bigger, covering an area of 52,000 square metres across six halls and three outdoor areas. This translates to a 20% increase compared to the 2023 show.

“The market response confirms the validity of the approach taken after SaMoTer 2023,” said Federico Bricolo, president of Veronafiere.

“The technical discussions set in motion at the end of last year helped us build an event more closely aligned with the needs of the supply chain, with a greater international reach, qualified professional audience, and content and formats tailor-made for the priorities of the sector.”

The outdoor demo areas were a hive of activity (Image: KHL Group)

Based on the fact that Italy is currently the third largest market after Germany and the United Kingdom – with a share of approximately 15% – the organisers had invested heavily in attracting more international visitors to the 2026 edition.

This included inviting top buyers from 23 countries spread across Central and Eastern Europe, Scandinavia, the CIS, the Middle East, and North and Sub-Saharan Africa, in collaboration with the Italian Trade Agency (ITA).

This shift would seem to have paid off, as the organisers report a significant increase in international attendance, up by 38% compared to 2023.

A number of dignitaries attended the show. Valentino Valentini, deputy minister for enterprise and Made in Italy, who took part in the opening ceremony, said, “MIMIT firmly believes in this sector which, when taking allied industries into account, provides 85,000 jobs and contributes 0.3% of GDP. Inasmuch, it is not a niche sector but a strategic enabler of the country’s infrastructural development.”

The event also saw Veronafiere and Unacea renew their partnership as they look ahead to SaMoTer 2029, scheduled for 9 to 12 May that year. A statement read that “the aim is to continue joint work on the technical programme, international markets, promotion focused on companies and awareness initiatives.”