10 Dec MIBA 2025 Emphasizes Sustainable and Digital Building Transformation
- MIBA 2025 attracted 85,000 attendees from 112 countries, reflecting a 5% increase from 2023
- The event showcased 1,369 exhibitors across four prominent trade fairs at Fiera Milano
- Sustainability, digital advancements, and professional training were highlighted themes
The Milan International Building Alliance (MIBA) 2025 wrapped up on November 22, showcasing record attendance and underscoring the industry’s commitment to sustainable and digital transformation. Spanning from November 19 to 22, the event welcomed 85,000 participants from 112 countries—a 5% rise compared to last year—and featured 1,369 exhibitors representing four major trade fairs: MADE Expo, SMART BUILDING EXPO, SICUREZZA, and the GEE – Global Elevator Exhibition.
Organizers lauded these results as a testament to MIBA’s growing stature as a vital European platform that connects professionals from various sectors including construction, architecture, systems engineering, and security technologies. Observers pointed out that the event’s rich diversity highlighted the increasing interconnectedness between physical infrastructure, energy efficiency, and technological innovation.
Key Themes: Sustainability, Energy Transition, and Professional Training
This year, MIBA concentrated on three significant themes: sustainability, energy and digital transition, and training. These topics are crucial as cities aim for greener and smarter frameworks. Conversations centered around sustainability permeated all four exhibitions, focusing on innovative materials and regulatory measures that align with the European Union’s green building directives.
Niccolò Aste, a Professor at Politecnico di Milano, described MIBA as embodying “the spirit of the New European Bauhaus.” This initiative aims to harmonize sustainability with aesthetic appeal and social responsibility. He emphasized during the Made Sustainable Prize (SusPrize) that innovation can be both beautiful and responsible, signifying a development model that could go mainstream rather than remain niche.
Highlighting Digital Innovation and Safety
In addition to environmental initiatives, MIBA 2025 also accentuated the importance of digitalization and electrification as drivers of transformation. Topics discussed included intelligent energy systems, digital monitoring, and emerging models in building management.
Roberto Martino, President of Prosiel, remarked on the critical challenges in making the building stock efficient and digitally integrated. He noted that MIBA serves as more than just an exhibition; it acts as a hub of innovative ideas. “Safe, digital and sustainable buildings represent not only an environmental imperative but also an economic and social necessity,” he stated.
Moreover, security technology and professional development were significant focal points at the event, which hosted over 100 seminars and conferences. Carlo Hruby, Vice President of the Enzo Hruby Foundation, took the opportunity during the SICUREZZA exhibition to unveil a new Advanced Training Course in Cultural Security Management developed in collaboration with the University of Pavia.
He highlighted the importance of investing in training to maintain safety in cultural spaces, advocating for ongoing communication between security professionals and cultural heritage representatives. “The establishment of this course marks a significant step forward in Italy, defining the role of the Cultural Security Manager, who is trained in cutting-edge technologies for managing and safeguarding cultural sites,” he added.
Looking Ahead: MIBA’s Future
MIBA 2025 concluded with a clear vision of an industry in flux, increasingly influenced by sustainability goals, digital advancements, and the need for evolving skills. With an expanding international footprint and emphasis on multi-sector collaboration, the next MIBA event is set for November 17–19, 2027, at Fiera Milano.
