A city for conferences

Post-Covid congressional tourism has taken a de nite turn for the better. In 2022, the sector was backed up to an estimated value of over 70 million euro, and 2023 is shaping up to become an exciting year for Florence as a city for conferences.

Last year, 100 congresses, conventions and national and international events were held in the Tuscan capital at Firenze Fiera, Palazzo dei Congressi, Palazzo degli Affari and the Fortezza da Basso. 40,000 delegates arrived at Firenze Fiera, bringing an increase in revenue of 59% compared to 2021 for Firenze Fiera, with a significant knock-on effect for economic, social and cultural factors.

Working as a team, Firenze Convention Bureau, Firenze Fiera and Kenes Group focused on winning the Annual Congress of the International Union of Microbiological Societies (IUMS 2024), a five-day event uniting 500 microbiologists. Professors Rino Rappuoli, the president of IUMS, and Mariagrazia Pizza played a key role in securing this high-level medical meeting. Both were recognized for their efforts at the latest Florence Ambassador Award ceremony.

In March 2024, 4,000 delegates from around the world will come to Florence to take part in the 17th edition of the International Conference on Advanced Technologies & Treatments for Diabetes (ATTD 2024). This is another appointment that was put in place by the Firenze Convention Bureau, Firenze Fiera and Kenes Group.

In 2025, the European Society for Blood and Marrow Transplantation (EBMT 2025) will return to Florence for the second time. The medical and scientific congress is expected to bring 6,500 delegates to the city. Vital to gaining this commitment was the collaboration between Firenze Convention Bureau and Firenze Fiera, with the additional assistance of Dr. Riccardo Saccardi, director of the Marrow Transplant Centre associated with Cell Therapy and Transfusion Medicine at Florence’s Careggi University Hospital, a Florence Ambassador Award winner and member of the Advisory Board of the Florence Academic Leadership Programme.

In 2025, there will also be the 15th Conference of the International Society for the Low Vision Research and Rehabilitation (ISLRR 2025), with 1,000 delegates. This bid was assured by the collaborative skills of Firenze Convention Bureau, Firenze Fiera and the OIC Group.

Efforts on many different levels and by multiple players are shaping Florence and the surrounding territory as a destination venue for academic and medical/scientific congresses and conventions, further establishing the city’s reputation as a capable and welcoming host city.