The entire ceramic tile and bathroom furnishing value chain is represented at Cersaie 2021 | by Andrea Serri

The innovative strategy of bringing together all segments of the downstream value chain at a single event has played a key role in the success of Cersaie, the International Exhibition of Ceramic Tile and Bathroom Furnishings. With the opening of the Contract Hall in a dedicated space in Hall 18, this process has finally reached completion.

When Cersaie was first launched back in 1983, the aim was to help ceramic tile and bathroom furnishing companies create foreign sales networks now that the domestic Italian market had essentially reached saturation point. As a result, the industry was able to achieve export shares of more than 85% for ceramic tiles and slabs and more than 50% for sanitaryware.

In response to the growing popularity of ceramic tiles in non-residential applications, around 10 years ago Cersaie launched the “building, dwelling, thinking” cultural programme featuring a series of architecture conferences given amongst others by ten Pritzker Prize laureates. The latest is Shigeru Ban, who will speak at Cersaie 2021 on Friday 1 October. This is a unique initiative in the world of international trade fairs, as well as a highly effective strategy that has brought architecture firms within Cersaie’s orbit and enabled them to build relationships with exhibitor companies.

2012 saw the launch of Tiling Town as a venue for technical discussion and networking with tile installation professionals. Organised with a different format to the other events and focused more on the practical and educational aspects of installation through workshops, seminars and demonstrations, this thematic and exhibition area shines a powerful spotlight on the world of installers, their professionalism and the importance they play in creating beautiful and well-made spaces.

The latest new section at Cersaie is the Contract Hall, the information, exhibition and relational space where the increasingly international world of Italian architecture firms can meet and dialogue with real estate operators. The ceramic and bathroom furnishing companies already have materials and products for these applications in their portfolios, so the chance to build new relationships at Cersaie may provide outstanding opportunities for everyone involved.

Cersaie plays an important role in fostering relationships between all players in the ceramic and bathroom furnishing sectors. Thanks to its universality, the sector is capable of creating much greater value than the sum of its individual parts. The show offers exciting opportunities for everyone, so we look forward to seeing you in Bologna!

 

September 2021