SIDE EVENTS

#WMF2026

Exclusive events, vertical meetings, parties, and immersive experiences:

during WMF, Bologna becomes a widespread ecosystem of innovation.

What are side events

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

How to participate

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

Organize a side event

Bring your brand into the official program: organize a Side Event and connect with the WMF global community.

The experience beyond the fair: why participate

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.

Companies

Generate strategic relationships, organize events and position within the WMF ecosystem

qualified leads | positioning | custom events

Professionals

Access exclusive events and networking moments with speakers, companies and innovators.

exclusive access | concrete networking

Startups & Innovators

Meet international investors, VCs, partners and stakeholders in high-quality environments.

visibility | investor access

Special WMF Events in the city- Bologna

Special Partner NightDAMA Technopole – Bologna
Special Partner Night
DAMA Technopole – Bologna
📅 June 23, 2026
🕒 18:00 - 22.00

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.”

Innovation NightPalazzo Pepoli - Bologna
Innovation Night
Palazzo Pepoli - Bologna
📅 June 24, 2026
🕒 20:00

The event dedicated to the meeting between founders and investors, where you can share ideas and have fun creating new relationships. The perfect opportunity to network informally and enjoy an inspiring and festive atmosphere.

WMF Official Community Party

📅 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!

Partner events in the Exhibition Area

Discover the first confirmed events
24, 25, 26 JUNE - BOLOGNAFIERE
Press Conference PERFETTO + aperitif June 24th | 11.00 - 13.00 AM
Press Conference PERFETTO + aperitif
June 24th | 11.00 - 13.00 AM

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.

Course AI - Flowerista June 24th
Course AI - Flowerista
June 24th

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

Startup Day XI editionUNIBOJune 24th | Stage + Expo
Startup Day XI edition
UNIBO
June 24th | Stage + Expo

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.

CLUSTER INNOVATE Future-Conscious InnovationJune 24 - 25 - 26
CLUSTER INNOVATE
Future-Conscious Innovation
June 24 - 25 - 26

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

CLUSTER TOURISM | CLUSTER AGRIFOODAI for Smart TerritoriesJune 24 - 25 - 26
CLUSTER TOURISM | CLUSTER AGRIFOOD
AI for Smart Territories
June 24 - 25 - 26

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

Aruba AcademySoon Online
Aruba Academy
Soon Online

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

CNR IITJune 24 - 25- 26Exhibition Area
CNR IIT
June 24 - 25- 26
Exhibition Area

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 - La via del Digitale per le imprese italianeJune 25th | 10:00 - 12:30 am
Assintel - La via del Digitale per le imprese italiane
June 25th | 10:00 - 12:30 am

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.

ITSSIJune 24-25-26 | 10:00 - 12:30 amExhibition Area
ITSSI
June 24-25-26 | 10:00 - 12:30 am
Exhibition Area

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

Orti Lunari - ITS PiemonteJune 24 - 25 - 26 Exhibition Area
Orti Lunari - ITS Piemonte
June 24 - 25 - 26
Exhibition Area

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.

Social Media StartegiesSUMMER EDITIONJune 24 - 25 - 26
Social Media Startegies
SUMMER EDITION
June 24 - 25 - 26

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

Search Tech EVENTJune 25-26 | 11:50 am - 17:50 pm
Search Tech EVENT
June 25-26 | 11:50 am - 17:50 pm

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

Politecnico di Torino - AI nell'ingegneria civileJune 25th | 11:30 am - 16:00 pm
Politecnico di Torino - AI nell'ingegneria civile
June 25th | 11:30 am - 16:00 pm

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

PROPOSE YOUR EVENTContact us to organize it with the support of the WMF team
PROPOSE YOUR EVENT


Contact us to organize it with the support of the WMF team

Speakeasy

Discover the first speakeasies announced inside the WMF: networking events reserved for startups and investors
Invitalia
Investor Day
June 24th

B2B Area

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

Nana BiancaJune 24th
Nana Bianca

June 24th

Confidential event by invitation - more information online soon.

Arsenalia Date Soon Online
Arsenalia

Date Soon Online

More information online soon.

ZEST - Innovation aperitif June 25th
ZEST - Innovation
aperitif
June 25th

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.

SPECIAL EVENTS AT THE EXHIBITION AREA
June 24, 25, 26 BOLOGNAFIERE
Opening CeremonyCONCERT PATAGARRIJune 24th | 9:30 amMainstage
Opening Ceremony
CONCERT PATAGARRI

June 24th | 9:30 am
Mainstage
Jet Suit Flight DisplayJune 25th | 13:00 amExternal Area
Jet Suit Flight Display

June 25th | 13:00 am
External Area

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.

DronesoccerJune 24-25-26 | 9:00 am-19:00 pmMall
Dronesoccer

June 24-25-26 | 9:00 am-19:00 pm
Mall

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.

Test Drive24-25-26 giugno | 10:00 - 18:00Area esterna Test Drive
Test Drive

24-25-26 giugno | 10:00 - 18:00
Area esterna Test Drive

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!

Edimotive - Perché comprarla LIVEJune 24-25-26 | 10:00 am - 18:00 pmExternal Area Test Drive
Edimotive - Perché comprarla LIVE
June 24-25-26 | 10:00 am - 18:00 pm
External Area Test Drive

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.

RACE4FUTUREAutomotive ShowJune 24-25-26 Exhibition Area
RACE4FUTURE
Automotive Show

June 24-25-26

Exhibition Area

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.

Videomapping June 24-25-26Mall
Videomapping

June 24-25-26
Mall

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.

VR ExperienceJune 24-25-26Exhibition Area
VR Experience

June 24-25-26
Exhibition Area

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.

Playing fieldsJune 24-25-26 | 9:00 am - 19:00 pmExhibition Area
Playing fields

June 24-25-26 | 9:00 am - 19:00 pm
Exhibition Area

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.

One Love Band MachineJune 24-25-26External Area
One Love Band Machine

June 24-25-26
External Area

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.

Want to make your event at WMF2026?

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


FULL TICKET AVAILABLE
FOR JUST 179€+VAT UNTIL 05/29