A project promoted by Fondazione Destination Florence will give national and international associations the opportunity to establish a local presence, facilitating event organization and supporting the growth of scientific communities.
Florence takes a decisive step toward the future of the meeting industry by launching a new development model for the congress sector. The Florence Association Centre is the first hub of its kind in Italy, designed to attract and support both Italian and international associations wishing to establish an operational base in the city. The goal is to streamline event organization there, while fostering the growth of local scientific communities.
Promoted by Fondazione Destination Florence, in collaboration with the City of Florence and the Metropolitan City of Florence, the Florence Association Centre will offer incoming associations financial incentives, advanced services, and access to a high-level relational ecosystem. These include a one-time contribution for business development and communication projects, operational support from a dedicated team, business development activities, incentive plans for events, and use of venues at Firenze Fiera.
The project also includes institutional networking opportunities with the University of Florence, local research centres and hospitals, as well as access to the City’s Advisory Board, a network of prominent institutional and academic leaders who act as international “ambassadors”.
This initiative is the first of its kind in Italy and leverages the city’s exceptional ability to engage its academic and scientific fabric to attract high-profile conferences. The city boasts a 90% success rate in securing international congress bids.
A clear example is the involvement of Fondazione Destination Florence Ambassador Prof. Rino Rappuoli, a world-renowned microbiologist and pioneer in vaccine research. He was among the key promoters of the conference “Microbial Biodiversity as a Tool to Face the Challenges of the Global Era,” held in the city. During the event, the first association to join the Florence Association Centre was established: the ICYGMN Society (International Conference on Yeast Genetics and Molecular Biology) – the oldest and most prominent global scientific community focused on microbiology, cell biology, and yeast genetics. Due to recent funding cuts from the U.S. administration, the association has chosen to relocate its headquarters from Washington to the Italian city.
Congress industry figures
In 2023, Florence hosted nearly 11,700 congress-related events involving over 800,000 participants. The city secured 17 successful bids for upcoming events scheduled through 2028, with an estimated economic impact of 38 million euros (+17% from 2023), involving approximately 16,000 delegates. These figures confirm that the congress sector is a strategic driver of the city’s economy and innovation, positioning the city as a world-class scientific hub.
Jacopo Vicini, Councillor for Tourism, Fairs, and Congresses of the City of Florence, commented: “With the Florence Association Centre, Florence strengthens its international vocation and gains a strategic tool to attract knowledge, innovation, and excellence networks. Congress tourism not only contributes to the economy but leaves behind skills, relationships, and long-term opportunities. This project stems from a shared vision: a city that invests in knowledge and collaboration between institutions, academia, research, and businesses. It’s a step forward toward a more connected, attractive, and globally relevant Florence.”
“Our Foundation is launching a pioneering program in Europe that further establishes Florence as a crossroads of culture and knowledge. With in-depth knowledge of the local context, constant dialogue with public-private stakeholders, and an extensive international network, we act as a privileged observatory. The Florence Association Centre is part of this mission. Through this initiative, we welcome national and international associations of excellence, aiming to create a dynamic ecosystem that connects skills, institutions, and communities. Florence thus becomes an open lab of innovation and knowledge. This is a concrete step toward a high-quality, high-value-added tourism model.” says Laura Masi, President of Fondazione Destination Florence.
Carlotta Ferrari, General Director of Fondazione Destination Florence, said: “For years, our Foundation has invested in the congress sector to promote a sustainable, high-quality, and informed tourism model. Congress tourism is predictable, manageable, and respectful of the city. It’s also an extraordinary opportunity to showcase Florence’s scientific, academic, and cultural capital. More importantly, it helps shift the city’s promotional narrative – from a cradle of art to a destination of knowledge. This sector strongly connects science and business and supports major research projects and academic growth. Through initiatives like the Florence Association Centre, we focus on legacy and congress acquisition aligned with Florence’s development goals, working synergistically with stakeholders – from the University to research hospitals and institutes. We hope to receive strong support to keep enhancing the project.”
Duccio Cavalieri, Full Professor at the University of Florence and President of AISL, said: “The Florence Association Centre marks a historic moment for Florence and for Italy, offering an innovative model to attract associations from across the globe. I am honoured to be the first to join this project with the International Association for Research on Yeast Genetics and Molecular Biology (AISL), the most established and important scientific community focused on yeast microbiology, cell biology, and genetics. This decision strengthens Florence’s role as an international hub for microbiology and enables the transfer of cutting-edge research into Tuscany’s productive sectors – wine, agri-food, and vaccines – contributing to the creation of a high-tech economic ecosystem across the region.”