Salone del Mobile, 1,900 exhibitors from 32 countries expected. Focus on major projects

Positive data, however, do not allow entrepreneurs to sleep soundly: the geopolitical context remains unstable and of great uncertainty, with old and new conflicts that render fragile geographies once considered safe and prosperous. Confusion on the trade policy front is at its highest, and not only because of the US administration's continuous and discordant announcements on tariffs, but also because of the uncertainty surrounding the new agreements reached with Mercosur (now suspended due to an appeal by some MEPs) and with India, the points of which remain to be clarified.

"In a geopolitical and economic phase marked by profound discontinuities and new polarities, the Salone del Mobile.Milano reaffirms its role as a global strategic platform and responds to the markets with vision and continuity, presenting itself as a fixed point in an unstable time," says Maria Porro, President of the Salone. A place where industry meets, thought is articulated and the future is planned".

In this international scenario, the Salone also evolves in terms of content and formats, adds Porro: "With the new initiative Salone Raritas we explore the value of uniqueness, the iconic and high craftsmanship, while with the path towards the Salone Contract we open up new design directions dedicated to expanding sectors, hospitality, retail, marine and real estate, with the aim of accompanying Italian companies not only in the definition of competitive and sustainable standards, but also so that they are recognised and chosen as reference partners for the setup of these spaces at an international level".

But the Show is not just a wind and not just a business event: it is a 'cultural and economic infrastructure in continuous transformation,' says Porro. 'An ecosystem capable of producing widespread value, which translates into economic impact, but also into critical thinking, urban regeneration, hospitality and new services.

The Salone therefore also invests in a robust cultural programme, in Talks, installations and exhibition formats, aware that design is no longer just a product, but a tale, a thought, a system. In this system, the president points out, "young people play a key role. With the SaloneSatellite we are renewing our commitment to talents under 35: they are the most lively laboratory of the future, our critical mirror, our sap. In 2026 we took them to Japan, in 2027 we will take them to other emerging design capitals".

Some interesting figures emerge from this year's edition: first of all, there are 227 brands exhibiting at the Show for the first time (161) or returning (66). But above all, the companies exhibiting at the Salone have an export share of 68.9% of their turnover, well above the average for the sector and Italian manufacturing as a whole. A confirmation - if one were needed - that the exhibition is an irreplaceable accelerator for the internationalisation of companies and that even companies that are already structurally present abroad feel the need to participate in the exhibition to further consolidate their international vocation.

This is all the more important in this historical phase of redefining global markets, in which - as we have seen - exports hold up but do not shine. "The data processed by our study centre snapshot a picture in which exports maintain a central role for the supply chain, but which requires companies to have a greater capacity for adaptation, market control and diversification, given the international scenario characterised by high volatility," observes Claudio Feltrin, president of FederlegnoArredo. In this context, I believe that our companies have been able to do their utmost, managing to maintain control even on those markets that are temporarily in difficulty, without ever abandoning them and immediately picking up on the signs of a recovery, as is happening in the German and British markets".