EIMA International, the exhibition opens the turnstiles
From 6 to 10 November, Bologna will once again be the world capital of agricultural machinery for five days. Over 1,700 exhibitors (600 from abroad) are expected to occupy the entire surface area of the exhibition center at this year's EIMA International event. Internationalization, innovation and breadth of range are the strengths of the trade fair
The wait is over. The turnstiles are open to the 46th annual EIMA International event, the exhibition of agricultural machinery and gardening technologies from around the world, which, until November 10 will showcase more than 50,000 models of machinery and components in an exhibition area covering some 122,000 square meters. The event is back in Bologna following its extraordinary success in 2022, which saw the event break all-time records in terms of attendance. Two years ago, approximately 330,000 visitors (57,000 of whom came from abroad) crowded the pavilions of the Bologna exhibition center to explore the new product ranges being offered by manufacturers from all over the world. The aim of the FederUnacoma organizers is to match the attendance of the last event and, if possible, even set a new record. After all, the conditions would all seem to be there, given the extraordinary enthusiasm with which the exhibiting industries and operators in the sector have shown their anticipation for EIMA 2024 since the opening dates for sending in participation applications in November of last year. According to the latest (still provisional) data released by the manufacturers' association, this 46th trade fair will see the presence of at least 1,700 exhibiting manufacturers, including 600 from 50 different countries.
From agricultural machinery to gardening technologies: Bologna has it all. There is soil working equipment, irrigation systems, tractors, and weeding machines. And more: electronic control units, drive shafts, lawnmowers, chainsaws, drones and computer applications. The construction solutions exhibited in the pavilions of the Bologna Fair cover 14 product sectors and are presented according to an exhibition “itinerary” that includes, among others, five thematic halls (EIMA Green, EIMA Components, EIMA Energy, EIMA Hydrotech, and EIMA Digital) conceived by the organizers of FederUnacoma to optimize an exhibition program that includes several new features and many old favorites. First of all, there is the new REAL area, a 32,500 square meter space organized in the Digital hall and dedicated to demonstrations of autonomous agricultural robots. Two other demonstration areas – Garden E-motion and the Tractor of the Year arena where tests of robotic systems for gardening and the show of the tractors finalists for the “Tractor of the Year” award are held, respectively – mark a long-awaited return after their debut at EIMA 2022.
Innovation and internationalization. The extent of the range is not the only strong point of the Bologna event. In fact, EIMA International has always been characterized by its focus on the themes of innovation, research and training, and on internationalization. The latest generation technologies are, as per tradition, the undisputed focus of attention at the Quadriportico exhibition area, where the 68 models that have received recognition for their Technical Innovation or Honorable Mentions in the “Technical Innovations” competition are presented. The spotlight will also be on “next gen” machines at the stands of the exhibiting companies that will be launching their latest innovations in various product ranges. Foreign delegations, on the other hand, will be assigned a special area inside the Palazzo dei Congressi. This is where business-to-business meetings between exhibiting companies and foreign delegations will be held. According to the organizers' forecasts, approximately 6,000 business meetings should be held during the five days of the event, which will be attended by approximately 400 foreign delegates whose incoming is organized in collaboration with the Italian Trade Agency (ICE). In addition to the official delegations, representing over 80 countries, buyers, operators and technicians from all over the world are also expected in Bologna.
An increasingly “social” trade fair. Another welcome return to EIMA International is that of the Agri influencers – 30 of them will be in Bologna, 20 Italians and 10 foreigners – who will be present at the fair on 8, 9 and 10 November with specifically dedicated events. But the real novelty of the 2024 edition is the EIMA Social Award to honor the best “social” communications of the exhibiting companies making use of the great agricultural mechanics event as their theme. Award categories will include: best YouTube video, best Instagram reel and best Facebook post, with awards going to the most exciting and engaging content.
