An annual international trade fair and festival held in Bologna, bringing together companies, startups, investors, and institutions from more than 90 countries to address artificial intelligence, digital innovation, robotics, entrepreneurship, and emerging technologies across 90 training stages and a dedicated mainstage.
We Make Future (WMF) is a certified international trade fair and festival held annually at BolognaFiere in Bologna, Italy. It addresses artificial intelligence, digital marketing, robotics, e-commerce, govtech, edutech, and the startup economy, among other technology-adjacent disciplines. The event combines an innovation expo, structured training, keynote programming, and a dedicated startup competition track, positioning it as a multi-format gathering for practitioners, founders, investors, and institutions across the digital and tech sectors.
We Make Future is structured around the intersection of artificial intelligence and applied digital innovation. The event draws on a broad sectoral spread, from data analytics and fintech to journalism, gaming, esports, and space economy, making it one of the more thematically diverse technology gatherings on the Italian and wider European circuit. With 700 exhibitors, 90 training stages, and an attendance figure of 70,000 (self-reported), it operates at a scale suited to both high-level strategic exchange and practical skills development. The hybrid format extends access beyond the Bologna venue. Programming is conducted in both English and Italian, reflecting a dual audience of Italian-market professionals and international delegates from more than 90 countries.
The event addresses a wide range of disciplines, including:
The full speaker lineup for the 2026 edition is still being announced. The event is expected to feature more than 1,000 international experts in AI, technology, and digital innovation across all stages, according to the organiser.
Prior edition data beyond the 2026 announcement is not publicly disclosed as of verification.
| Attendance | 70,000 (organiser figure) |
| Exhibitors | 700 |
| Training stages | 90 |
| Countries represented | 90+ |
| Duration | 3 days |
| Expected speakers | 1,000+ (organiser figure) |
We Make Future is a certified international trade fair and festival. It combines an exhibition floor with structured training, keynote and concert programming, startup competitions, and B2B matchmaking, operating as a hybrid in-person and digital event for three consecutive days each June in Bologna.
Programming is delivered in both English and Italian. This bilingual approach reflects the event's positioning as both a flagship Italian technology gathering and an internationally oriented conference attracting delegates from more than 90 countries.
Artificial intelligence is the primary thematic anchor, but the programme spans a notably wide range of disciplines including digital marketing, robotics, fintech, journalism, govtech, gaming, and space economy. Attendees from across the digital and technology sectors will find relevant content.
We Make Future occupies a distinct position on the European technology calendar, combining the scale of a certified trade fair with a festival-style programme across 90 stages; its bilingual, multi-sector approach makes it the most prominent Italian gathering at the intersection of AI, digital marketing, and startup activity.
Registration for We Make Future 2026 is open. Two primary ticket tiers are available:
People with disabilities and one accompanying family member or caregiver are admitted free of charge.
Registration is available at the official ticketing page listed in the Resources section below.
We Make Future supports structured professional networking through several mechanisms. B2B matchmaking meetings allow delegates to pre-schedule one-to-one meetings with other attendees, exhibitors, and investors ahead of the event. Advance scheduling functionality is available to facilitate this process. Replay access is offered following the event, allowing registered participants to review session content after the live dates. An official networking app is not publicly disclosed as of verification.
The call for speakers for We Make Future 2026 is open. Applications are accepted via the official call page. The submission deadline is 12 March 2026.
Topics being considered include: artificial intelligence, digital marketing, coding, communication, advertising, data analytics, search, health, fintech, journalism, work, entrepreneurship, and innovation.
Submissions can be made at: https://en.wemakefuture.it/call/speaker/
We Make Future 2026 includes three awards programmes:
Award deadlines are not publicly disclosed as of verification. Further details and applications are available at: https://en.wemakefuture.it/call/startup-competition/
Yes. The Standard Visitor ticket is complimentary and provides access to the exhibition floor and the mainstage. A Full Delegate ticket at EUR 179 (early bird rate until 29 May 2026) provides broader access to training stages and additional programming.
The early bird rate of EUR 179 for the Full Ticket closes on 29 May 2026. Pricing after that date is not publicly disclosed as of verification.
People with disabilities are admitted free of charge, and one accompanying family member or caregiver is also granted complimentary access under the stated policy.
BolognaFiere is a major convention and exhibition centre located at Viale della Fiera, 20, Bologna, Italy. It serves as the established home for We Make Future and accommodates the event's multi-hall exhibition format, including the 14 thematic innovation districts and 90 programme stages. Bologna is accessible by high-speed rail from Milan and Rome, and the venue is served by public transport from Bologna Centrale station.
Search On Media Group S.r.l. is an Italian conference producer and media group based in Bologna, founded in 2007. The company operates across four business units covering consulting, training, event management, and digital communications, with a focus on digital marketing, AI technologies, and innovation. It works to support Italian entrepreneurial communities and their international connections, and manages both in-person and hybrid event formats.
In addition to We Make Future, Search On Media Group produces Bologna Tech Week, AI Festival, Social Media Strategies, and Search Tech, making it one of the more active independent organisers of technology and digital marketing events in Italy. Further information is available at https://www.searchon.it/.
| Official website | https://en.wemakefuture.it/ |
| Register | https://en.wemakefuture.it/ticket/ |
| https://www.linkedin.com/company/wmf-we-make-future/ | |
| Programme | not disclosed |
| Call for speakers | https://en.wemakefuture.it/call/speaker/ |
| Awards and startup competition | https://en.wemakefuture.it/call/startup-competition/ |
| Organiser website | https://www.searchon.it/ |