Giovanni Mantovani concludes his mandate as CEO of Veronafiere
After 37 years – and almost 25 at the top – Giovanni Mantovani today concludes his mandate as CEO of Veronafiere.
The President of Veronafiere, Federico Bricolo, commented: “Giovanni Mantovani guided Veronafiere with foresight, expertise and entrepreneurial vision. He has great merit for Veronafiere’s constant growth and the international positioning – from Asia to the United States and South America – of the main supply chains covered by the exhibitions in our portfolio. On behalf of the Board of Directors, employees and collaborators, I express my acknowledgements and gratitude for having helped Veronafiere earn an undisputed role of leadership. This result was also achieved thanks to his positive determination in using all his personal and managerial skills to overcome even the most critical stages Veronafiere had to face through innovative and repositioning projects.”
Born in 1957, he joined Veronafiere in 1985, and was appointed CEO in 1998. Mantovani will remain in the exhibition system as President of Piemmeti S.p.A., a subsidiary of the Veronafiere Group, member of the board of UFI (The Global Association of the Exhibition Industry) and, as of 1 September, Senior Advisor to Top Management of the parent company.
Giovanni Mantovani, President of Piemmeti
“I leave my position with the certainty and satisfaction of having contributed to the development of what is now the fourth trade fair centre in Italy and the first as regards directly organized exhibitions,” said Giovanni Mantovani. After two years of pandemic, the company’s financial indicators are safe again. A result that could by no means be taken for granted that projects Veronafiere towards further growth on the national and international scene, thanks to its most important and historic events – Vinitaly, Marmomac, Fieracavalli, Fieragricola and Samoter. Today, Veronafiere is ready to tackle the new and demanding economic and social challenges on the horizon, without ever forgetting its local area and its home city – for which it will unquestionably continue to be a strategic asset. My thanks and best wishes for continued success go to everyone who shared my long professional and personal career – the presidents and boards of directors who succeeded each other over the years, management and all employees, colleagues and collaborators of Veronafiere.”
In his managerial career, Giovanni Mantovani was closely involved in the evolution of Veronafiere’s modern history. The highlights especially include: membership of Emeca, the organization bringing together the top European exhibition centres (1996); the creation of new-co Veronafiere do Brasil (2012); the implementation of the first pavilion dedicated to Italian wine at Expo Milano (2015); the transformation of Veronafiere into a joint stock company (2016); the new-co Veronafiere Asia Ltd (2019); further development of Vinitaly’s international status; the implementation of major exhibition centre expansion and modernisation projects.
In addition to repositioning and upgrading in terms of innovation, professionalization and internationalization of the main trade fair brands, under Mantovani’s guidance Veronafiere expanded its portfolio of scheduled exhibitions and events with Job & Orienta, ArtVerona, Motor Bike Expo, Progetto Fuoco, B/Open, LetExpo, Asphaltica, the European Outdoor Show, Oil&nonOil and Innovabiomed.