What are side events
Exclusive events, meetings, and formats distributed throughout the city, extending the WMF experience beyond the trade fair grounds.
Exclusive events, vertical meetings, parties, and immersive experiences:
during WMF, Bologna becomes a widespread ecosystem of innovation.
Exclusive events, meetings, and formats distributed throughout the city, extending the WMF experience beyond the trade fair grounds.
Private networking events | Industry meetups | Investor dinners | Tech showcase |Cultural & entertainment experiences
Check the calendar, discover the events, and take part: some are open to all, while others are by invitation only or have limited seating. *more information will be added daily
Bring your brand into the official program: organize a Side Event and connect with the WMF global community.
During the days of WMF, innovation spreads throughout the entire city: Side Events involve companies, startups, institutions, and communities in a widespread calendar of appointments, creating new opportunities for networking, business, and cross-contamination.
Generate strategic relationships, organize events and position within the WMF ecosystem
qualified leads | positioning | custom events
Access exclusive events and networking moments with speakers, companies and innovators.
exclusive access | concrete networking
Meet international investors, VCs, partners and stakeholders in high-quality environments.
visibility | investor access

An appointment reserved for a selected audience of stakeholders, institutions, corporates, and innovation leaders, hosted inside the DAMA Technopole, one of the most advanced centres in Europe for supercomputing and data research. In this location of excellence, the heart of the Italian AI and high-performance computing ecosystem, the event will offer a unique context for strategic discussion on the main technological and industrial scenarios.
In program: speech and discussion panels and business aperitif.
A high-value opportunity to foster qualified relationships, targeted networking moments, and high-level discussions on AI, data economy, and digital transformation, with the goal of generating concrete connections between research, business, and institutions, and contributing to the development of the “Business of Tomorrow.”

📅 June 24 - from 19:30 pm
📍 Piazza San Francesco, Bologna
FREE ENTRY
The official WMF party arrives in Piazza San Francesco in Bologna! An evening of pure fun with music and DJ Set.
Guests already announced: Pau [Negrita] with a 90s-themed DJ set to rock out to the most beloved hits.
New guests will be announced soon, in the meantime, mark your calendar and don't miss the WMF Official Party 2026!

The press conference of the Italian network of Technology Transfer Offices (TTOs) in the Life Sciences sector. A company that provides services, innovative tools, and resources to promote a culture of technology transfer by enhancing Italian research. The event is restricted access.

An interactive lab dedicated to prompt engineering and creative applications of artificial intelligence. The event is restricted access.

Regional ecosystem event dedicated to innovation and research, focusing on youth entrepreneurship and deep-tech projects to promote ecological transition and social inclusion. There will be two stages and an exhibition area dedicated to startups.

An event dedicated to the discussion on the development of innovative services and ICT technological research, powered by Clust-er Innovate.

An event dedicated to exploring innovations in land, tourism, and agritech powered by Clust-er BUILD, Clust-er Tourism, and Clust-er Agrifood.

Official presentation and opening day of the 5th edition of the Aruba Digital School, with training and discussion among professionals.

Registro.it (CNR) explores the impact of AI on online search, transforming behaviors, keywords, and visibility. A meeting will discuss these changes, offering networking and an aperitif.

Assintel's business roadshow features data, case studies, and networking to delve deeper into artificial intelligence as a lever for competitiveness and growth in the Italian digital market. The event is For Associates Only.

The training event, with moments of discussion and dialogue, dedicated to SMEs carried out by the Istituto Tecnico Superiore Servizi alle Enterprise.

The presentation of an innovative solution for home cultivation that integrates an advanced environmental control and growth system, optimizing lighting and parameters. "Orto Lunare" provides fresh food and cleanses the air, contributing to sustainability.

A training event dedicated to social media marketing and web marketing. Three days of training interventions and discussion with experts and creators.

An advanced training event, with national and international experts, to discover how search is evolving in the age of artificial intelligence and beyond.

A thematic stage entirely dedicated to the discovery of artificial intelligence applied to civil engineering.

An opportunity for Invitalia to meet with businesses to present startup support tools, active calls for proposals, and new development and innovation opportunities.

An exclusive networking aperitif, with music, for the innovative ecosystem: startups, investors, and VCs together for a business evening.
The event is confidential and by invitation.


A spectacular powered human flight, with gravity-defying performers in front of the Festival audience. A mix of adrenaline and technology not to be missed.

During the next edition of the WMF, the first European Dronesoccer Championship, the innovative drone esport, will take place exclusively: in addition to watching the competition, you will be able to experience the thrill of this innovative eSport firsthand.

During the three days of the WMF, you can enjoy the unique experience of driving a Tesla thanks to the dedicated Test Drive Area. An exclusive opportunity to test firsthand the performance and technology of electric vehicles that are revolutionizing the future of sustainable mobility. Book your slot and get ready to board!

Motor1's experiential area on electric mobility, with live talks and test drives to delve deeper into the energy transition through discussions with journalists and on-road vehicle testing.

Race4Future will animate the WMF with a rich program dedicated to sustainable mobility and the technologies of the future. For three days, the Mall will host the Automotive Show, an experiential area featuring electric vehicles, green innovations, and smart solutions.

Thanks to the site-specific immersive tunnel - designed for WMF 2025 by Aelion - you will be able to traverse an 8mt immersive environment and enjoy unique multisensory experiences.

With the Vitruvian simulator, you can enjoy unique and engaging immersive experiences thanks to the total freedom of movement at 360° which guarantees levels of coherence and fluidity that prevent motion sickness.

From Busker to BSKIN, from handball to volleyball to Country dancing, via flight simulators and driving to WMF, interactive areas await you to try traditional sports and immersive activities. In collaboration with Vero Volley, FIGH, EISI, FIPAV, and the GRD - genitori ragazzi down, In.Da.Co., Western Academy, and Aero Club pavullo associations, you can try your hand at real or virtual challenges, including movement, fun, and technology.

Music, robotics, and sustainability merge with One Love Machine, the band of robots made entirely from recycled metal materials. In a spectacular musical tech show, the robots will perform live at the WMF 2026 trade fair area, an unconventional experience, combining rhythm, technology, and creativity.
Fill out the form : our team will get back to you to understand how to support you in the realization of your event.
24 · 25 · 26 June 2026
Bologna Fiere
WMF - We Make Future