WIM 2025 Closes with High Impact, Unveiling a Data-Driven Vision for the Future of the Private Event Industry

The seventh edition of WIM Event, the most important Italian gathering for the Private Event Industry, was held in Florence from November 19-21, 2025. The event successfully cemented Florence's role as the recognized cultural and professional hub for a cross-cutting sector that powerfully unites hospitality, design, craftsmanship, catering, technology, creativity, and tourism.

The setting was Italy's oldest theatrical venue, Teatro Niccolini, which was transformed into the vibrant epicenter of the sector. The three-day event, organised by Corsini.Events and Cogito Strategies, saw a record participation of over 400 professionals from more than 20 countries, establishing it as the most significant meeting in the Italian market and one of the most authoritative internationally. 

Groundbreaking Research Reveals Massive Economic Footprint

A major highlight of the opening day was the presentation of the first-ever scientific research on the private events sector in Italy, conducted by the Department of Business and Legal Studies at the University of Siena and unveiled by the new Observatory, WIM Insights.

Professor Lorenzo Zanni, Scientific Director of the WIM Insights Observatory, stated that "Private events are an economic and social reality, but not yet a theory." The research provided definitive metrics for this complex and highly interdependent industry:

• Core Companies: Approximately 50,000 directly operational companies, composed of over 90% Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs).
• Primary Economic Value: The sector generates economic value of nearly 20 billion euros.
• Extended Supply Chain: The total supply chain involves over 300,000 companies, with the total estimated impact reaching just under 40 billion euros.

This vast industry includes destination weddings, private celebrations, experiential corporate events, and new, relationship-focused forms of MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions). The study also identified the rapid emergence of new job roles, such as digital specialists, experience curators, and event data analysts, reflecting the digital evolution and internationalization of the market.

Tommaso Corsini, CEO & Founder of WIM, emphasized that the sector "is an engine that activates the best of 'Made in Italy', generating economic activity that remains entirely within the country." He highlighted its profound national benefits, including:

• Supporting dozens of local businesses with every event.
• Significantly contributing to the de-seasonalization of tourism.
• Distributing value across various territories.
• Institutional Support and Strategic National Partnership

The event received a key intervention by the Italian Minister of Tourism, Ms. Daniela Santanchè, who joined through a virtual call. The Minister recognized WIM's role in giving identity, structure, and vision to a rapidly growing and often fragmented sector. Minister Santanchè made a crucial announcement saying: "Today, I am pleased to announce that WIM will become an official partner of the Italia.it portal, the international platform for the promotion of Italian tourism. This strategic collaboration will lead to the creation of dedicated content for the Private Event Industry and the enhancement of a sector still little known to the general public."

The Minister also emphasized the unique role of Italian venues: "villas, palaces, historical villages, historic residences, and public and private cultural assets are not just simple backdrops, but a living part of the Italian cultural heritage, which is preserved, experienced, and enhanced through events."

This move is regarded by the Italian industry as a great recognition of the important role that Tommasso Corsini is playing to elevate the wedding and events industry in Italy. 

Media Leaders Panel: Global Shifts and Industry Future

Italy's status as an aspirational dream for couples, driven by its timeless romance, rich heritage, and world-class luxury craftsmanship, was unanimously reaffirmed by a distinguished media panel. This group, which included top Italian bridal houses (Elle Spose, Sposi, LoveNozze, White), London-based Weddings & Honeymoon, and Arabia Weddings, met to discuss strategies for Italy to remain at the forefront of global wedding destinations.

"It was a true honor to join such a distinguished media panel alongside top bridal and wedding publications here in Italy. Italy is already a popular choice and a dream destination for many couples. I was delighted to pass on the vital perspective of Arab couples, for whom a destination wedding here represents a profound reflection of status and aspiration. We look forward to seeing Italy continue to evolve its offerings to become an even more culturally attuned choice for luxury celebrations from the MENA region," said Samar Shawareb, CEO/Founder of Arabia Weddings. 

 

Launch of WIMForPRO

To directly address the Italian industry’s main challenges, namely: lack of data, absence of representation, and fragmentation, WIM launched WIMForPRO -  the first professional digital platform dedicated to private events. This revolutionary tool is equipped with the world's first agentic AI specifically designed for the event industry. WIMForPRO is envisioned as a digital accelerator built to empower micro and small enterprises by:

• Connecting the supply chain.
• Creating shared industry standards.
• Facilitating seamless collaboration.
• Supporting growth and internationalization efforts.
• Offering advanced technological tools that small businesses could not develop alone.

The enthusiastic public response to the platform saw over 500 users register in the first two days, confirming the industry’s readiness to structure itself and embrace digital growth.

Looking Ahead

WIM Event 2025 served as more than just an annual event; it was a manifesto - the place where an industry recognized itself, was studied, and began to structure itself. It marked the formal starting point of a journey toward building a common vision for the Private Event Industry.

• Next Event: Pre-registrations are already open for WIMEvent26, scheduled to return to Florence from November 18 to 20, 2026.
• Networking Tour: WIM announced the WimTour26, a new tour of 15 networking events across Italy and abroad, including Dubai in collaboration with Arabia Weddings, with dates to be revealed in the coming weeks. 

Photos by: Righi Studio