From September 23 to 25, 2026, the Rimini Expo Centre hosted the first highly anticipated edition of BEX – Beyond Exploration Expo, the international event promoted by Italian Exhibition Group and conceived as a meeting point between the space industry and terrestrial technology sectors.
In this global context, the Emilia-Romagna ecosystem has played a leading role thanks to the collective presence of AeroHub, the strategic inter-cluster project born from the synergy between Clust-ER MECH (lead organization), Clust-ER INNOVATE, Clust-ER HEALTH, and Clust-ER AGRIFOOD, and funded with the support of European funds allocated to the Emilia-Romagna Region (PR FESR 2021–2027).
Inside Pavilion C1 (Booth 084), AeroHub welcomed international operators, industry delegations, and researchers, presenting itself as a single, integrated supply chain ready to seize the multimillion-dollar opportunities of the New Space Economy.
The Exhibition Space: 7 Pillars of Innovation and a Unified Supply Chain
The concept behind the AeroHub collective booth was designed to highlight the complementary nature of regional expertise, organized into seven strategic pillars:
- Skills & Talents: Developing Human Capital and Specialized Training.
- Advanced Materials & Lightweighting: lightweight materials, high-performance composites, and surface treatments for extreme environments.
- Avionics & Embedded Systems: sensors, advanced avionics, and embedded electronics.
- Advanced Components: precision mechanics, hydraulics, and advanced components.
- Drones, Mobility & Exploration: industrial drones, autonomous mobility, and aerial/orbital exploration.
- Earth Observation & Space Data: satellite data processing, environmental monitoring, and telecommunications.
- Tech Transfer & Innovation Ecosystem: Technology transfer between academic research and the industrial sector.
Alongside the regional clusters, some of the network’s most dynamic industrial companies and research centers participated in a joint exhibition: Fondazione Democenter-Sipe, JSP Injection Moulding Solutions, T3Lab, MEEO, Egicon, REDOX, and FAV—Fondazione Aldini Valeriani.
A Diary of 3 Days at BEX 2026
The opening of the first day of BEX 2026 featured the official inauguration of the AeroHub group booth. Starting early in the morning, the space in Hall C1 saw a large influx of qualified visitors and investors.
After a second day of meetings and networking, the final day served as the centerpiece of the conference organized by the AeroHub network, which brought the Emilia-Romagna Region’s institutional booth to life with a packed schedule of four highly technical panel discussions:
- 12:00 p.m. | Advanced Technologies for Aerospace: A focus on applied research, materials, and testing systems, featuring presentations of key local projects:
- HEATBETA: thermal solutions and materials for extreme conditions;
- LA2COM: structural health monitoring (condition monitoring) of light aircraft using digital twins and multimodal data fusion;
- SpaceLAB: Design and testing of strategic environmental test benches for the qualification of space components.
- 1:00 p.m. | Transition to the Space Economy: Business Stories: A pragmatic discussion moderated by the AeroHub team, during which SMEs and leading technology companies explained how to retool or expand their manufacturing businesses to take on space-related contracts.
- 2:15 p.m. | Training and Skills for Aerospace & Defense: A workshop focused on lifelong learning and the evolution of the professional profiles needed to support the sector’s growth, leveraging the funding channels of the ESF+ Program.
- 3:30 p.m. | Opportunities in Microgravity: Research and New Business Models: A closing session focusing on the industrial prospects offered by microgravity: from the synthesis of new materials and biological macromolecules to manufacturing in low Earth orbit (In-Space Manufacturing).
The trade show concluded with a networking reception at the AeroHub booth. We would like to thank all the partners involved!
A decisive boost for the regional ecosystem
AeroHub’s strong presence at BEX 2026 brought an intense three-day event to a close with tangible results: dozens of new business contacts established, strengthened partnerships between laboratories in the High-Tech Network and private companies, and renewed visibility for the entire regional manufacturing cluster.
Emilia-Romagna, already a global leader in the Motor Valley and in automated packaging, is once again demonstrating that it has the know-how and vision to play a leading role in the new era of exploration and technological convergence between Earth and Space.
