The green future of logistics in Verona
Veronafiere hosts the States General of inter-modal logistics with LetExpo, the event organized in partnership with ALIS, scheduled 8-11 March 2023. Five show halls occupied for a total show area of 60,000 square metres, with 310 exhibitors and more than 100 appointments – including conferences and workshops – where the future of the transport and related services sector will be outlined in terms of economic, environmental and social sustainability.
Italy alone handles around 65 million tonnes of goods every year. This ‘final’ figure is the tip of the iceberg for a fundamental asset and a dynamic, constantly evolving activity. LetExpo fits into this context and also recalls the need for innovative investment policies to achieve the objectives set by the Green Deal and Fit for 55 projects, which seek to reduce climate-changing gas emissions to zero by 2050.
This event, in addition to business, also confirms its central role for debate between all stakeholders in this supply chain: companies, trade associations, professionals, ministries and local authorities.
The inauguration of the second edition of LetExpo received a message of greetings from the President of the Republic, Sergio Mattarella, who recalled how “the transport and logistics sector is an essential element in growth and an indicator of the quality of life” and that “mobility is one of the characteristics of global civilization and its sustainability is a measure of its effectiveness in protecting the ecosystem.”
The ribbon-cutting ceremony was attended by the Minister of Infrastructure and Transport, Matteo Salvini, who took part in one of the talk-shows which, over the four days of the event, will see the Minister of Agriculture, Food Sovereignty and Forestry, Francesco Lollobrigida, the Minister for Civil Protection and Marine Policies, Nello Musumeci, the Minister for Disabilities, Alessandra Locatelli, the Minister of Tourism Daniela Santanchè, the Minister of Enterprise and Made in Italy, Adolfo Urso, and the Minister for Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Antonio Tajami, take the stage in Casa-Alis or join video calls.
“LetExpo,” said Federico Bricolo, President of Veronafiere, “addresses highly topical issues at the heart of political debate, as demonstrated by attendance at the Show by no less than seven ministers of the Republic. The challenges on the horizon in this sector can no longer be postponed: goods transport and distribution models must be made greener, more resilient and digital in order to compete on international markets. Just like logistics, even in the trade fair world sustainability today is no longer a choice but the only successful strategy for growth. A vision that bonds us with the standpoint of Guido Grimaldi, President of Alis, encouraging us to strengthen our partnership to consolidate and develop this exhibition format together.”
Federico Bricolo, president of Veronafiere
LetExpo has found the ideal location and partner for development in Verona, considering Veronafiere’s organisational experience and facilities, combined with the specific vocation of a local area that is already home to the second largest interport in Europe and the crossroads of two major trans-European transport corridors.
A central role also confirmed at LetExpo by the Memorandum of Understanding “States General of North-East Logistics” signed by the President of the Veneto Region, Luca Zaia, together with his colleagues from Lombardy, Emilia-Romagna, Friuli Venezia Giulia and the Autonomous Provinces of Trento and Bolzano, as well as the Ministry of Infrastructure. The document lays the foundations for creating a more effective logistics system in the North-East macro area, with the aim of improving traffic flows for goods and people, not the least with a view to the 2026 Winter Olympics.