BolognaFiere — Local services in Bologna

After visiting Cersaie 2025, outrage is the only possible reaction. Having attended this exhibition center for more than a decade, it is shocking to see how it becomes more neglected, dirty, and outdated every single year.

Cersaie, presented as the world’s leading trade fair for ceramic tiles and bathroom furnishings has long lost its purpose. Instead of supporting the industry, it feels like a political showpiece. Companies appear forced to participate, even though a significant part of the sector clearly opposes holding the event annually. For an industry in Europe that is already struggling at a historic low, this fair adds nothing but pressure and costs.

The financial burden is enormous and the conditions are unacceptable. Parking has reached €24 per day, the traffic situation around the venue is pure chaos caused by uncoordinated staff and crazy police blockades. Public transport cannot be relied upon, especially with repeated strikes during the fair as witnessed again this year on September 22.

The entrance situation is disgraceful, far too small, permanently overcrowded and unbearably slow. Inside the fairground presents itself in a miserable state. Dirt everywhere, limited and filthy seating areas, bird droppings, food waste and cigarette butts scattered across the grounds. The sanitary facilities represent the absolute low point!!!! By late morning they are so filthy that they can hardly be used anymore. Cleaning appears to take place only once in the morning, after which the toilets remain in an intolerable condition for the rest of the day. It's simply disgusting for everyone!!!

Food and beverage prices inside the grounds are excessive and hotels in Bologna take advantage of the situation with massively inflated rates during the fair. The overall impression is one of exploitation, with both exhibitors and visitors being forced to pay enormous sums while the venue itself is falling apart.

In the end, it gives the impression that this fair exists primarily to generate income for the city of Bologna itself, rather than to serve a battered industry that desperately needs...

!!! ENTRANCE: The pin on the Maps is on the other side of the BolognaFiere site and you will usually not find public access here. There are zero signs towards the entrance and asking locals didn't help either (huh?), despite the fact I joined an Italian gentleman from Rome who could ask for directions in Italian. Literally dozens of people were lost here, which is embarrassing. After 20 minutes, we found out there is an entrance on the opposite side of this entire area - search for "fiera bologna piazza constituzione entrance"

A set of large halls for exhibitions, various business-related festivals and other bigger expos, not very far away from Bologna's centre or the main train station (~15-20 minutes of walking).

The entire look and feel of the space is more factory-like, which fits the industrial atmosphere well (Bologna is the Motor Valley). The amount of halls opened will depend on the event - I attended 3-day long technological WMF (We Make Future), and about half was accessible, which you could walk through in roughly 30 minutes of normal pace. Second floors were closed off. Additionally, there was also a food/music courtyard in between the halls.

Generally, a decent space with enough amenities and slightly confusing navigation due to it's uneven and illogical layout. The poor signage...

Se potessi darei anche meno!!! 8 fiere insieme poco o nulla di ognuna!! Costo del biglietto buttato nel cestino. Non è colpa degli espositori che poracci ci mettono del loro! Ma come si fa a mettere il CREATIVA un pezzo al padiglione 25 ed un micropezzo al padiglione 21 "L' hand made" con solo 2 stand delle creazioni in pasta di zucchero. Oltretutto quest'ultimo padiglione è diviso con il "Giappone" 1 stand di katane, uno di bonsai, uno di creazione di microcosmi vegetali in bolle di vetro, uno di piante nane, uno per lezioni di scrittura giapponese, 2 di chincaglieria ed uno per pubblicizzare il kendo. Nel 22 un pezzo per i lego VUOTO giusto 2 stand di vendita di lego ed uno spazio ristretto di esposizione di 4 creazioni. Nel pezzo del pet pavoni messi in coppia in gabbie troppo piccole, però quest'anno ci sono le colombe, i tacchini, le oche e le anatre. Animali più da fattoria. Nel 31 il cosiddetto reparto vintage è più per il vestiario di seconda mano, qualche fumetto, qualche disco e banchetti pieni di riproduzione di personaggi di varie dimensioni dai puffi a star wars. Ed infine il padiglione dell'elettronica anch'essa abbastanza vuota e loro sono gli unici che vendendo già qualche computer rigenerato possono dire che questa fiera non è stata una rimessa. Non so che dire se non che delusione, resa ancora maggiore perché sono di Bologna e vedere tale...