A huge digital innovation project has been launched by International Exhibition Group (IEG) at its Rimini Expo Centre.
IEG has partnered with US giant Ruckus and all-Italian SAMU, to upgrade the network infrastructure at the venue and cites an Imperial College of London study that found 10% more use of mobile broadband results in an increase in global business of up to 2.8%.
Rimini Expo Centre has now become a gigantic hot spot, with 25km of fibre optic cable and new digitalised facilities that include automation, video surveillance systems and geolocation services, provided by a cabled network capable of handling 160Gb/s.
Use of the number and data tracking capabilities will fully respect privacy regulations, the venue management confirmed.
The new system will also be able to accommodate 5G technology from 2021.
The first test of the new network system at Rimini Expo Centre took place in January with SIGEP 2019, the international artisan confectionery expo.
The official launch coincides with RiminiWellness (30 May - 2 June) which in 2018 hosted 250,000 attendees, 20,000 trade visitors and 400 companies.
Rimini Expo Centre, designed by Studio GMP of Hamburg, was born ‘digitalised’ back in 2001 and made ready for the installation of future cabling.
IEG is now also preparing for digital innovation at Vicenza Exhibition Centre, also owned by the Group.
IEG organises events in five categories: Food & Beverage; Jewellery & Fashion; Tourism, Hospitality & Lifestyle; Wellness and Leisure; Green & Technology. In recent years, the company has actively pursued foreign expansion, by means of joint ventures, initially in the United States, Arab Emirates and China.
IEG ended the 2018 financial year with a total consolidated turnover of €159.7m, and a net consolidated profit of €10.8m.
In 2018, IEG held 53 exhibitions in its facilities in Rimini and Vicenza. www.iegexpo.it
