Manaly and ITS Red Academy: when education meets industry
On March 26, Manaly enthusiastically took part in a valuable educational event organized by ITS Red Academy in collaboration with Confindustria Vicenza and Confartigianato Imprese Vicenza. The initiative, held at the Antonio Canova Institute in Vicenza, involved fifty students from the “Marketing Manager - Furniture System” course, who worked on real projects commissioned by seven companies in the sector, including ours. Keep reading to find out more!
A workshop connecting young talent and local businesses
The event aimed to build a direct bridge between education and the professional world. Divided into teams, the students presented digital and sustainable marketing strategies they had developed in the weeks prior, based on briefs provided directly by partner companies. It was a practical opportunity to tackle real market challenges and to experience working side-by-side with industry professionals.
Along with us at Manaly, participants included companies such as FBE Woodliving, LegnoPan, Ongaro Serramenti, Pozza 1865, Adeptev, and Baggio Felice. The initiative received the support and presence of prominent local figures, including Cristiano Perale, President of ITS Red Academy; Elisa Barausse and Paola Zanotto, Presidents of the Wood-Furniture sections of Confindustria and Confartigianato Vicenza respectively; and Member of the European Parliament Elena Donazzan. A clear demonstration of how high-level technical education today represents a strategic value for the local economy.
Manaly’s experience with ITS Red Academy
For Manaly, this collaboration was a valuable opportunity for openness and exchange. The students were welcomed to our headquarters to get a closer look at our company, explore the different production departments, and understand our work philosophy. They analyzed who we are, what we do, and how we communicate our brand, bringing a fresh and curious perspective to all of our activities.
We asked them to work on a communication project not directly tied to our core business — the design and creation of custom exhibition spaces — but related to an innovative idea we are developing internally: a line of sustainable pre-assembled stands. The project aims to combine functionality, aesthetics, and environmental responsibility. Although still in its early stages, the students approached it with great enthusiasm, delivering effective and stimulating communication and marketing proposals.
The experience was beneficial for us as well: it allowed us to see how the new generations interpret values such as sustainability, innovation, and communication. It was a genuine exchange, from which we gained valuable insights to continue improving.
Education, business, and sustainability: a shared vision
The event organized by ITS Red Academy perfectly reflects what Manaly believes in: a constant dialogue between education and business, where learning is never an end in itself, but a driver of growth for the entire production system. The practical and hands-on approach of ITS programs, developed in close synergy with companies, prepares young professionals who are truly ready to meet market demands.
Our involvement in this initiative reaffirms how important it is to invest in the future. Even the parallel project the students worked on stems from a real need: reducing the environmental impact of the trade fair sector by introducing more mindful, modular, and reusable solutions.
Manaly will continue to support projects that prioritize education, sustainability, and innovation, with the belief that true progress comes from listening to and involving the new generations.
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If you're considering building a custom trade show stand or would like to learn more about sustainability in exhibition setups, the Manaly team is here for you. Contact us!
The importance of an innovative trade show booth: practical tips to make a difference
Participating in a trade show is not merely about occupying an exhibition space; it’s a unique opportunity to present yourself to the public in a memorable way. Our role, as specialists in trade show booth setups, is to transform your vision into a space that attracts, engages, and converts visitors. Below, we share some practical guidelines to design a winning booth and maximize the potential of every trade show event.
A design that speaks for you
A trade show booth isn’t just an area to showcase products or services—it’s your brand’s business card. A well-thought-out design should reflect your company’s identity in an original way, combining aesthetics and functionality. Why is design so important?
- Customization: Your booth should tell who you are and what you do at a glance. Every element, from colors to materials, must align with your brand image.
- Technological Innovation: Tools like augmented reality, touch screens, and interactive applications are not mere gadgets but powerful tools for creating genuine connections with visitors.
- Sustainability: Using recyclable materials and modular solutions communicates a strong commitment to the planet, a value increasingly appreciated today.
Have you ever thought about creating an immersive experience? Check out the immersive booth we designed for the Veneto Wood Consortium at the Progetto Fuoco 2024 event. Click here!
Location matters!
Not all exhibition spaces are created equal. The location of your booth can mean the difference between being noticed or overlooked. How do you choose the ideal spot?
- Strategic Location: Aim for a space near main entrances, high-traffic areas, or next to booths of complementary and related brands.
- Appropriate Size: A booth proportionate to your message and budget is more effective than a space that is too large or too small. Balance is key.
- Smooth Layouts: Design an intuitive internal layout that guides visitors through your booth without causing confusion. A well-planned flow helps tell your story and highlight your products.
When it comes to selecting the location and designing the layout, relying on a professional can make all the difference. Expert advice ensures every element is optimized to maximize your booth’s impact.
Planning: the secret to success
Behind every successful trade show booth is careful and targeted planning. Every detail counts, and nothing should be left to chance. Here are our tips:
- Clear Objectives: Before you start, define what you want to achieve from your participation. Is it generating leads, increasing brand awareness, or launching a new product? Every decision should be guided by these objectives.
- Targeted Promotion: Don’t wait for the day of the trade show to make an impression. Use social media, email marketing, and advertising campaigns to announce your presence and invite potential customers to your booth.
- Team Training: Your staff is the heart of your booth. Ensure they are well-prepared, informed, and motivated to represent your brand at its best.
Creating a trade show booth is not just about building a structure—it’s about crafting an experience. We handle everything: from ideation to design, from production to logistics and on-site assembly. Our goal is to ensure that your booth is not only visually appealing but also effective.
Take a look at our projects by clicking here!
Participating in a trade show is a significant investment, but with the right strategy, you can turn this opportunity into a great success. Trust professionals who can interpret and bring your vision to life.
Contact us to design your next trade show success together!
Custom-made stands: carpentry at the service of exhibition design
In the world of exhibition setups, customization is a key factor in standing out and leaving a lasting impression on visitors. Creating custom stands doesn’t just mean choosing colors or materials, but designing solutions that reflect a brand’s identity and are perfectly functional for the event or trade show.
The carpentry workshop plays a crucial role in this process, offering the ability to create tailor-made projects with artisanal precision and technological innovation.
Keep reading to discover how carpentry enables the creation of custom stands for trade shows and events!
The role of carpentry in creating custom stands
In the context of exhibition setups, carpentry is a key element in the creation of custom stands. Every project starts with an idea or vision, and the carpentry workshop’s job is to translate these ideas into physical structures that capture the essence of the brand on display.
Thanks to woodworking, it’s possible to build display elements that not only draw visual attention but are also functional and durable. Wood offers design flexibility that few other materials can match: it can be shaped into unique forms, finished with fine textures, and combined with other materials like metal, glass, or fabrics to create innovative designs.
This ability to craft custom wood pieces allows carpenters to meet every specific customer request. If the brand wants to convey a modern, minimalist image, clean and linear structures can be created; if the goal is to create a warm, welcoming environment, natural woods can be used, perhaps with matte or rustic finishes.
In this context, environmental sustainability is essential for us at Manaly. Where possible, we use PEFC-certified wood and Veneto Wood, ensuring that the materials come from responsibly managed forests. This commitment allows us to guarantee full traceability of the wood, from the forest to the finished product, offering solutions that respect the environment and promote sustainable management of natural resources. Click here to learn more!
How CNC technology is revolutionizing carpentry for trade shows and events
In the field of carpentry for exhibition setups, the use of computer numerical control (CNC) machinery has taken customization to the next level. CNC machines allow wood to be cut, shaped, and engraved with precision that is impossible with traditional manual techniques. This type of technology not only speeds up production processes but also enables extremely complex work to be performed with perfect repeatability, ideal for creating custom stands.
Thanks to CNC technology, carpenters can create custom components perfectly adapted to the client’s design needs.
Another advantage of using CNC machines is the ability to produce rapid prototypes, which improves communication between designers and carpenters, as it allows for changes to be made before final production, ensuring the result fully meets expectations.
Synergy between designers and carpenters: the key to successful stands
Creating a successful custom stand requires close collaboration between designers and carpenters. While designers conceive the layout and visual appearance of the stand, carpenters are tasked with turning these ideas into real structures. This synergy between creativity and technical skill is essential to ensure that the stand is not only aesthetically appealing but also functional and structurally sound.
Our designers work closely with our carpenters to select the most suitable materials, define construction solutions, optimize the display space, and control costs and production times, without compromising on quality or creativity.
In a competitive industry like exhibition setups, the ability to create custom stands is a strategic advantage that can make all the difference in capturing attention and leaving a lasting impression on visitors.
Did you find this article on custom stands helpful? If you also need to create yours, you’re in the right place! Contactc us to bring your project to life!
The evolution of the Salone del Mobile: from the furniture fair to the international design hub
Born in Milan in 1961 with the aim of promoting Italian exports of the furniture industry and its accessories, the Salone del Mobile has become an international reference event for the design and furniture sector. With over sixty years of history, the Salone has been able to evolve and adapt to the needs of the market, each year representing a unique opportunity to discover the latest trends and the most interesting protagonists of the sector.
But how has it evolved over the years? Read on to find out more about the Milan Furniture Fair!
Salone del Mobile in Milan: the story
Italy emerged from the Second World War with a strong push towards building reconstruction to face the heavy marks that the long conflict had left on the cities and on the national territory. It was necessary to build new houses and large buildings that also required furniture.
In 1960, the historic Cologne exhibition dedicated to home and furnishings, "Koelnmesse", reopened in Germany, giving inspiration to Italian entrepreneurs. The following year, in 1961, the first edition of the Salone del Mobile was inaugurated in Milan, with the participation of 328 companies and 12,100 visitors, of which 800 came from abroad.
Since then, the Salone Internazionale del Mobile has become the international reference event for the furniture and design sector, going beyond national borders since 1967 and becoming the first salon in the world in 1994.
The Salone del Mobile today
The Salone del Mobile in Milan is an event that takes place every year in April together with other biennial exhibitions such as Euroluce, EuroCucina and the International Bathroom Exhibition and annuals such as the International Furnishing Accessories Exhibition and Workplace3.0.
FTK (Technology For the Kitchen) and S.Project are collateral events dedicated to design products, decorative solutions and furnishing techniques.
In the FieraMilano district in Rho, these events occupy a net area of almost 210,000 square meters and each year represent over 2,300 of the most dynamic and creative companies on the world market.
Since 1998, the SaloneSatellite (better known as FuoriSalone) has also become a springboard for young designers and a point of reference for companies looking for new talent.
How did the 61st edition go?
The Salone del Mobile in Milan has now left the pandemic behind, given the success of this latest edition (April 2023). In fact, it attracted 307,418 visitors in six days, a 15% increase compared to 2022 and a gradual return to pre-Covid levels. More than 2,000 exhibiting brands were present, with 34% coming from 37 different countries, including 550 young designers from 31 countries and 28 design schools and universities from 18 countries. China once again became the first host country of the event after Italy, followed by Germany, France, the United States, Spain, Brazil and India on equal merit.
These numbers demonstrate the international importance of the Milanese event, which is a point of reference for the world of design, as also stated by the president Maria Porro.
In conclusion, we can say that the success of the Milan Furniture Fair derives from the solid industrial network at its base, combined with the quality of the projects that promote sustainability and excellence of form and content. Furthermore, it stands out for its ability to create a system, train young people and take advantage of the exceptional integrated mechanism of communication and culture that characterizes the Ambrosian metropolis and the surrounding area.
We at Manaly were proud to have followed projects both at the Salone and at the FuoriSalone and we can't wait for the next edition in 2024!
