Press releases

·       Value of the Italian Space Economy: €4.5 billion in 2024, +12.3% YoY, employing over 15,000 people across 400 companies. Italy ranks sixth in the world for the ratio of space investment to GDP (source: Deloitte 2026 Report based on SDA Bocconi - Eurispes data)

·       Organizations involved in the conference program include, among others, the Italian Air Force, ASI, Assosport, CNR, Confagricoltura, Confindustria, ENAC, ENEA, ESA, the Italian Navy, the Ministry of Enterprises and Made in Italy, Politecnico di Milano, and the Emilia-Romagna Region

·       Exhibiting companies include names from the space supply chain such as Leonardo, Thales Alenia Space, Argotec, Altec, Planetek, and D-Orbit, alongside companies from other terrestrial industrial sectors such as Dallara, Spacewear, BTT Impianti, Legor, and Gruppo Hera. EY, a professional services and consulting player, joins them as well

·       The opening session will feature the participation of prominent institutional figures

·       BEX, organized by Italian Exhibition Group, will be an official stop on the States General of the Space Economy 2026

Rimini, July 8, 2026 - Three months ahead of its opening, Italian Exhibition Group (IEG) has finalized the conference program and the exhibitor lineup for BEX – Beyond Exploration Expo, the new European platform for convergence between space technologies and industrial applications. Patronized by the Emilia-Romagna Region, the event will take place from September 23 to 25 at the Rimini Expo Centre.

The mission is to create new business opportunities by fostering dialogue among companies, institutions, startups, and research centers interested in diversification, highlighting the role of space as a lever for innovation and competitiveness for both the terrestrial economy and future economies beyond Earth.

The opening day will begin with the participation of national and international institutional and government figures. On the main stage, during the BEX Vision Summit, confirmed speakers include representatives from Axiom Space and Leonardo Space, as well as MEPs Elena Donazzan and Giorgio Gori.

On the topic of industrial diversification, BEX's Scientific and Technical Committee and ESA are dedicating a keynote to advanced manufacturing for space, from ground-based component certification to direct in-orbit manufacturing, featuring contributions from representatives of the Ministry of Enterprises and Made in Italy, certification bodies, and insurance entities. The session will also involve the Motor Valley district, with a contribution from Dallara, a company specializing in advanced manufacturing and composites for the aerospace sector.

The capital markets angle is entrusted to the Space Finance Arena, a session organized by BEX together with Plug and Play Tech Center: a platform designed to foster agreements between startups, SMEs, investors, banks, and insurers, with a focus on bankability and scalability of projects, and a reverse pitch format in which investors present themselves to companies. Notable participants include EY, CDP Venture Capital SGR, and funds specializing in the space economy such as Galaxia, the national technology transfer hub for aerospace, and Primo Space, Italy's first venture capital fund dedicated to the sector. The session also includes INCUBED, ESA's co-financing program, offering the chance to request direct meetings with the Agency in the Open Innovation District.

Opportunities for non-space companies are also at the center of the ESA Technology Broker session. In the agrifood field, the relationship between space and agriculture will see ENEA engaged on Space & Urban Farming and Confagricoltura on remote sensing applied to crops.

The health area will be covered by two sessions curated by CNR ISOF, focused on physiology, wellbeing, and pharmaceuticals. There will also be space for technical textiles, with an in-depth session curated by Spacewear, while technology transfer between sporting goods and space will be developed through contributions from Assosport and its member companies.

Gruppo Reply brings to BEX the expertise of Nova Reply, Concept Reply, Roboverse Reply, Storm Reply, and Skyward Reply on advanced connectivity, cloud, satellite data, artificial intelligence, robotics, and aerospace systems.

The expo conference will also serve as an official stop on the States General of the Space Economy 2026, the initiative promoted by the Parliamentary Intergroup for Space across Italy's space industry districts, with a day dedicated to innovation-focused startups.

"We want to create a space where expertise from sectors traditionally unrelated to space can generate innovation and turn it into new market opportunities," said Alessandra Astolfi, Global Exhibition Director of IEG's Green & Technology division. "The exchange goes both ways: technologies born for space find application in terrestrial sectors, and expertise developed on the ground contributes to the development of the space supply chain. On this basis, BEX brings together companies, institutions, and research centers around working tables focused on real-world use cases. The presence of institutional figures and BEX's inclusion in the States General of the Space Economy confirm the event's position within the national strategy for the sector."

BEX – Beyond Exploration Expo is the first Italian trade expo entirely dedicated to the space economy. Taking place in Rimini from September 23 to 25, 2026, BEX aims to be an international reference hub for the meeting point between the traditional space industry (upstream), downstream applications, and non-space sectors interested in the opportunities offered by space technologies. The event will feature exhibition areas, conferences, technical workshops, matchmaking sessions, and a dedicated area for startups, universities, and research centers.

PRESS CONTACT IEG

head of media relation & corporate communication: Elisabetta Vitali; press office manager: Marco Forcellini, Pier Francesco Bellini; press office coordinator: Luca Paganin; press office specialist: Mirko Malgieri; press office assistant: Julia Andreatta media@iegexpo.it; 

MEDIA AGENCY BEX - BEYOND EXPLORATION EXPO: MEP S.r.l.

Leonardo Vivard - leonardo.vivard@mep.it - mob. +39 3897652135 | Valentina Impellizzeri - valentina.impellizzeri@mep.it

Il presente comunicato stampa contiene elementi previsionali e stime che riflettono le attuali opinioni del management (´forward- looking statements´) specie per quanto riguarda performance gestionali future, realizzazione di investimenti, andamento dei flussi di cassa ed evoluzione della struttura finanziaria. I forward-looking statements hanno per loro natura una componente di rischio e incertezza perché dipendono dal verificarsi di eventi futuri. I risultati effettivi potranno differire anche in misura significativa rispetto a quelli annunciati, in relazione a una pluralità di fattori tra cui, a solo titolo esemplificativo: andamento del mercato della ristorazione fuori casa e dei flussi turistici in Italia, andamento del mercato orafo - gioielliero, andamento del mercato della green economy; evoluzione del prezzo delle materie prime; condizioni macroeconomiche generali; fattori geopolitici ed evoluzioni del quadro normativo. Le informazioni contenute nel presente comunicato, inoltre, non pretendono di essere complete, né sono state verificate da terze parti indipendenti. Le proiezioni, le stime e gli obiettivi qui presentati si basano sulle informazioni a disposizione della Società alla data del presente comunicato.

·       From 23 to 25 September 2026 at Rimini Expo Centre, the first edition of the new expo-conference promoted by IEG in collaboration with the Emilia-Romagna Region;

·       An international, multidisciplinary event conceived as a catalyst for ideas and business, aimed at companies from the space and terrestrial industries, universities, start-ups and institutions;

·       A B2B format combined with scientific and public-engagement sessions, designed to inspire the next generation of students and industry professionals;

·       An Open Innovation District dedicated to the entire innovation ecosystem, and a groundbreaking project – The Astronaut's Home – bringing the daily challenges of life in space to the show floor as a laboratory of solutions for terrestrial industries.

Rimini, 10 March 2026 – Satellite data optimising agricultural yields, materials engineered to withstand the extreme conditions of space now insulating buildings and cutting energy consumption, geolocation systems directing the logistics of half the planet, remote monitoring technologies born for astronauts now accelerating telemedicine: space has never been so present in the real economy. And the need to build a place where these two worlds can meet has never been more urgent.

From 23 to 25 September 2026, Rimini Expo Centre will host the first edition of BEX – Beyond Exploration Expo, the international expo-conference dedicated to the Space Economy and the convergence between the space industry and terrestrial industry, promoted by IEG – Italian Exhibition Group. BEX is born to position Italy at the centre of the international debate on space, with the ambition of becoming the European reference point where industry, research, institutions and new sectors together chart the trajectories of the next economy. Because value is not created solely from space to Earth, nor solely from Earth to space: it is created at the meeting point. The event combines B2B business with outreach and training sessions, opening its doors to universities, researchers and future professionals. Its objective is to stimulate dialogue between the traditional space supply chain, emerging industrial sectors and the entire innovation ecosystem – fostering cross-pollination between seemingly distant fields, from food to fashion, from health to logistics, from automotive to energy.

"BEX – explains Professor Giuseppe Sala, Professor at the Department of Aerospace Science and Technology at Politecnico di Milano and President of the event's Scientific and Technical Committee – is set to represent a genuine breakthrough in the landscape of events dedicated to space exploration and the space economy. The project, developed by a team of experts from complementary disciplines, aims to go beyond traditional formats and establish itself as an international point of reference. It will not merely be a networking opportunity for companies and institutions,but will also open its doors to the public – the true end-user of space services. The objective is to integrate worlds that are only apparently distant – from food to fashion, from pharmaceuticals to healthcare and wellness – through to sectors ripe for reinvention, such as automotive. All of this will take shape through exhibition spaces, networking and matchmaking sessions, public lectures, specialist workshops and student hackathons."

Also noteworthy is the contribution of Colonel Walter Villadei, professional astronaut of the Italian Air Force and BEX Ambassador: "Space is changing fast. It is a crossroads of economic, scientific, industrial, geopolitical and military interests. There is a need – and increasingly so in the future – for multidisciplinary meetings and dialogue to support growth and innovation, as well as to seek sustainability solutions for major global challenges. I am therefore truly delighted to serve as Ambassador for this important initiative, which demonstrates that Italy has the resources, vision and creativity to chart new trajectories for the benefit of the international community. An event that will put young people and schools centre stage, drawing them ever closer to the world of aerospace."

BEX will cover the entire supply chain: from components and launch systems through to orbital stations (upstream), encompassing non-traditional industrial sectors discovering new commercial opportunities in space, and extending to satellite data-based services already transforming agriculture, mobility, energy and security (downstream). Significant focus will also be dedicated to the development of autonomous multi-domain systems (space, aeronautics, underwater, terrestrial), both as operational solutions and as test platforms for technological and industrial innovation.

The event will also feature a cross-sector area – the Open Innovation District – dedicated to start-ups, universities, research centres, government agencies, venture capital, incubators and business accelerators, reflecting the commitment to engaging the entire innovation ecosystem. BEX will also be home to The Astronaut's Home, a project with a completely original perspective: the fundamental needs of life in space – sleeping, eating, exercising, healthcare, getting dressed – as a driver of industrial innovation. In space, every everyday function becomes an engineering challenge requiring radically new solutions. Those same solutions, once developed, can unlock concrete opportunities for terrestrial industries.

In support of BEX's international reach, IEG has opened discussions with the Ministry of Enterprises and Made in Italy (MIMIT), the Ministry of Economy and Finance (MEF), the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation (MAECI), the National Research Council (CNR) and the Presidency of the Council of Ministers (PCM). The Italian Space Agency (ASI) and the Italian Air Force have already confirmed their patronage, joining the leading governmental, regional and sector trade associations.

BEX thus positions itself as a strategic platform to catalyse the future of the space economy in Italy and across Europe, integrating sectors, players and visions within a genuinely interdisciplinary and forward-looking perspective.

PRESS CONTACT IEG

head of media relation & corporate communication: Elisabetta Vitali; press office manager: Marco Forcellini, Pier Francesco Bellini; press office coordinator: Luca Paganin; press office specialist: Mirko Malgieri; press office assistant: Julia Andreatta media@iegexpo.it;

MEDIA AGENCY BEX - BEYOND EXPLORATION EXPO: MEP S.r.l.

Leonardo Vivard - leonardo.vivard@mep.it - mob. +39 3897652135
Valentina Impellizzeri - valentina.impellizzeri@mep.it - mob +39 3806366514

This press release contains forecast elements and estimates that reflect the management’s current opinions (“forward-looking statements”), particularly regarding future management performance, realization of investments, cash flow trends and the evolution of the financial structure. For their very nature, forward-looking statements have a component of risk and uncertainty, as they depend on the occurrence of future events. The effective results may differ (even significantly) from those announced, due to numerous factors, including, only by way of example: food service market and tourist flow trends in Italy, gold and jewellery market trends, green economy market trends; the evolution of raw material prices; general macroeconomic conditions; geopolitical factors and evolutions in the legislative framework. Moreover, the information contained in this release does not claim to be complete, and has not been verified by independent third parties. Forecasts, estimates and objectives contained herein are based on the information available to the Company as at the date of this release.

·       At KEY – The Energy Transition Expo (Rimini, 4–6 March 2026), a preview of Italian Exhibition Group's first event dedicated to the space economy

·       The event, which will make its debut at Rimini Expo Centre from 23–25 September, will be introduced to the energy transition community through a dedicated desk and a conference on the synergies between space and green technology

·       Announced: collaboration with ASI, which has granted its patronage to the event, for a university hackathon

Rimini, 27 February 2026 – BEX – Beyond Exploration Expo, Italian Exhibition Group's new event dedicated to the space economy, will be present at KEY – The Energy Transition Expo 2026 with a dedicated desk and a conference on the points of convergence between space technologies and the energy transition. A preview that anticipates by six months the official debut scheduled in Rimini from 23 to 25 September 2026.

Space technologies are today a strategic asset for the energy transition: satellite data enable real-time monitoring of energy infrastructure, optimisation of distribution networks, high-precision weather forecasting for the management of renewable energy plants, and support for agrivoltaics through Earth observation. An intersection of expertise and markets that BEX intends to develop by building a bridge between the space industry and sectors with high application potential.

The conference "Energy for Space or Space for Energy?", organised with ASI – Italian Space Agency, ENEA and with the participation of ESA – European Space Agency, scheduled at KEY on 4 March 2026 (3:00–4:00 PM, RENEWABLES HUB, Pavilion A7, in media partnership with Rinnovabili.it), will explore the bidirectional relationship between energy and space, highlighting technological challenges, concrete business opportunities and emerging business models where public and private actors can collaborate. The session will be moderated by Matteo Spagnolo, CEO of Rinnovabili.it. Speakers will include Girolamo Di Francia, Head of the Energy and Data Science Laboratory at ENEA, and Simone Pirrotta from the Science and Innovation Directorate at ASI. The programme will also feature a presentation of business opportunities for companies by Beatrice Barresi of the ESA ACCESS Programme, and a contribution from Elena Bonacini of BEX on the new hub dedicated to the Space Economy.

The presence at KEY will also be the occasion to announce a significant collaboration with ASI – Italian Space Agency, which will contribute to the organisation of a hackathon for university students, with the aim of stimulating the development of innovative solutions at the intersection of space and sustainability.

"The space economy is not an isolated sector, but a cross-cutting ecosystem that generates value for industries that are only apparently distant," says Alessandra Astolfi, Global Exhibition Director of IEG's Green & Technology division. "KEY represents the ideal context in which to introduce BEX to energy transition operators. Satellite technologies and geospatial data are already indispensable tools for those working in renewables, energy efficiency and environmental monitoring. The conference we are organising will be an opportunity to bring these worlds into dialogue and build concrete business opportunities."

BEX – Beyond Exploration Expo is Italy's first trade show entirely dedicated to the space economy. Scheduled in Rimini from 23 to 25 September 2026, BEX positions itself as an international reference hub for the meeting point between the traditional space industry (upstream), downstream applications and non-space sectors interested in the opportunities offered by space technologies. The event features exhibition areas, conferences, technical workshops, matchmaking sessions and a dedicated area for start-ups, universities and research centres.

PRESS CONTACT IEG

head of media relation & corporate communication: Elisabetta Vitali; press office manager: Marco Forcellini, Pier Francesco Bellini; press office coordinator: Luca Paganin; press office specialist: Mirko Malgieri; press office assistant: Julia Andreatta media@iegexpo.it;

MEDIA AGENCY BEX - BEYOND EXPLORATION EXPO: MEP S.r.l.

Leonardo Vivard - leonardo.vivard@mep.it - mob. +39 3897652135
Valentina Impellizzeri - valentina.impellizzeri@mep.it - mob +39 3806366514

This press release contains forecast elements and estimates that reflect the management’s current opinions (“forward-looking statements”), particularly regarding future management performance, realization of investments, cash flow trends and the evolution of the financial structure. For their very nature, forward-looking statements have a component of risk and uncertainty, as they depend on the occurrence of future events. The effective results may differ (even significantly) from those announced, due to numerous factors, including, only by way of example: food service market and tourist flow trends in Italy, gold and jewellery market trends, green economy market trends; the evolution of raw material prices; general macroeconomic conditions; geopolitical factors and evolutions in the legislative framework. Moreover, the information contained in this release does not claim to be complete, and has not been verified by independent third parties. Forecasts, estimates and objectives contained herein are based on the information available to the Company as at the date of this release.