Italian ceramics embarks on a grand tour of international trade fairs

(February 2025) | The new year has brought a fresh wave of trade fairs across Europe and the United States, with Italian ceramic producers taking centre stage through participation in collective pavilions and under the Ceramics of Italy banner, promoted by Confindustria Ceramica.

The first stop on this international journey was Maison&Objet in Paris in mid-January, an event attended by 69,000 unique visitors, 44% of whom came from outside France. A total of 27 Italian companies showcased their products as part of a collective organised in collaboration with the Italian Trade Agency ITA. As the name suggests, the event focused on all aspects of home design and provided an ideal platform for Italian ceramic manufacturers to showcase the quality, versatility and aesthetic appeal of their products.

Another major event celebrating Italian manufacturing and creativity is Italian Design Day 2025, set to take place on 12–13 February in Krakow and Warsaw, Poland. As part of a broader initiative organised by the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs in collaboration with ITA, this event highlights Italy’s contributions to design and architecture. Architect Andrea Maffei will deliver a lecture on the use of Italian ceramics in urban transformation projects, drawing on his experience as Arata Isozaki Studio’s Italian partner and his work on Milan’s CityLife development.

The first event in the US will be KBIS in Las Vegas at the end of February. This international trade fair offers a comprehensive overview of the kitchen and bathroom sector, covering everything from furnishings to ceramic surfaces. Italian companies will play a leading role, particularly with extra-thick large-format slabs designed for countertops.

Ceramics of Italy will return to Europe in mid-March for MIPIM 2025 at the Palais des Festivals in Cannes, the world’s premier event dedicated to urban development in major cities. With an Italian delegation organised in collaboration with the Emilia-Romagna region, this four-day event on the Côte d’Azur will explore future trends and highlight the vital role of Italian ceramics in shaping urban landscapes.

Back in the United States, more than 50 Ceramics of Italy companies will take part in the Italian Pavilion at Coverings, the international ceramic and stone exhibition held this year in Orlando. Spanning over 55,000 square feet, the pavilion will showcase the excellence of Italian ceramic products to both industry professionals and end consumers. It will also host the second edition of the Tile Competition, which celebrates outstanding projects carried out by US architects using Italian ceramics.

The final stop on the Ceramics of Italy World Tour in the first half of 2025 will be Clerkenwell Design Week (UK) in May, a key gathering point for architecture and design firms based in London and beyond. Around twenty Italian companies will take part, engaging directly with one of the world’s most influential design hubs.

This international tour, spanning multiple cities, cultures and markets, will culminate at Cersaie in Bologna at the end of September. The 42nd edition of the International Exhibition of Ceramic Tile and Bathroom Furnishings will host more than 600 Italian and international exhibitors and as always will welcome industry professionals, designers and manufacturers from across the global supply chain.