Rimini Expo Centre
Rimini Expo Centre (Rimini Fiera) is a major international exhibition and congress complex located in Rimini, on the Adriatic coast of Emilia-Romagna, Italy. Founded in 1969, it has grown into one of Italy’s largest fair grounds, covering over 130,000 square metres of covered exhibition space, and hosts more than 50 trade shows annually including Sigep, the Rimini Wellness expo, and Ecomondo. The centre is managed by Italian Exhibition Group (IEG), a publicly listed company that also operates the Vicenza Expo Centre.
At a glance
- Type
- Exhibition and congress centre
- Period
- Established 1969; expanded through early 21st century
- Style
- Contemporary trade fair architecture
- Location
- Via Emilia 155, 47921 Rimini, Italy
- Coordinates
- 44.0723° N, 12.5265° E
Overview
Rimini Fiera is the economic engine of the Adriatic Riviera trade and tourism industry, drawing hundreds of thousands of professional visitors each year to its international exhibitions. The complex is integrated with Rimini’s transport network and sits between the historic city centre and the Adriatic seafront. Italian Exhibition Group listed on the Milan Stock Exchange in 2017, reflecting the centre’s status as a major Italian commercial infrastructure asset.
History
The Rimini exhibition centre was established in 1969 to capitalise on the city’s growing tourism and hospitality economy, initially focusing on trade shows related to leisure, catering, and tourism. It expanded rapidly during the 1970s and 1980s as Rimini consolidated its role as one of Italy’s most visited seaside destinations and a hub for the food service and wellness industries. In 2016, the Rimini and Vicenza fair organisations merged to form Italian Exhibition Group, creating a national-scale operator with international reach. The congress centre wing was developed to attract international academic and professional conferences alongside the trade show calendar.
What you see
The complex comprises multiple numbered pavilions connected by internal and external passages, with a central avenue of service infrastructure. The congress centre building offers a main auditorium and multiple breakout rooms equipped for simultaneous interpretation and live-streaming. The outdoor areas are used for large-scale installations, vehicle displays, and food festivals. A dedicated media and hospitality zone supports the international press and exhibitor community during major events.
Cultural significance
Rimini Fiera’s Sigep — the International Exhibition of Artisan Gelato, Pastry, Bakery and Coffee — is the world’s leading trade platform for artisan gelato and Italian pastry culture, drawing buyers and professionals from over 170 countries. Through events like this, the centre acts as a global ambassador for Italian food culture and craftsmanship. The Ecomondo fair, dedicated to the green economy and sustainability, has made Rimini a reference point for environmental innovation in Europe.
Practical information
- Address
- Via Emilia 155, 47921 Rimini RN, Italy
- Opening hours
- Varies by event; check the official IEG website for fair calendar
- Admission
- Event-dependent; professional accreditation required for most trade shows
Getting there
The centre is approximately 3 km from Rimini railway station, served by regional and high-speed trains connecting to Bologna (about 1 hour) and Milan (about 2.5 hours). Shuttle buses operate from the station to the fairgrounds during major events. Rimini Airport (Federico Fellini International) is roughly 8 km away and served by European carriers especially during the summer season.