Maker Faire Rome The European Edition: VII Edition this Year 100% Carbon Free

We recently got speaking with Maker Faire Rome: The European Edition organisers about this years annual event run in Rome each year and learned more about what this years is bringing.

When is it on?

Maker Faire Rome – The European Edition will be held from 18-to 20 October 2019 in Rome at Fiera di Rome (Rome Exhibition Centre)

How many years has it been going?

This year it’s the seventh Edition, an accomplishment for which we thank all those who believe in the event, makers and partners above all

What was the inspiration to start it?

In March 2012 we were spreading the culture of innovation by organizing conferences on different topics. We decided to dedicate one of these conferences to the maker movement. The chosen day for the event – which was for free – was a tragic one (general strike, a storm never seen before) and we feared no one would have shown up. On the contrary the hall was so crowded that we were obliged to rent another hall. That same day we started to plan the first Maker Faire Rome- The European Edition for mid of October 2013 for which we estimated and audience of 20k people. At the end 36k visitors enjoyed the first edition and since then the growth of people and exhibitors has been unstoppable. In 2018 we reached 115k visitors, 700 projects and prototypes and the blessing of many Institutions European and Italian as supporters and Italian and International sponsors.

What exciting things can people look forward to for the 2019 version? Who will be speaking etc?

This is ongoing and we are going to announce everything at the Press Conference that will be held in mid-September but – rest assured – people will be amazed and exhibitors will have plenty of visibility and networking and business opportunities. Brand new topic this year: art and sport.

MakerArt is a project that aims to investigate the relationship between contemporary art and new technologies, through the creation of paths that connect makers and international artists. The objective is the realization of a real exhibition of interactive installations within the event, involving the public and representing the many and different ways of interpreting the culture of technological innovation. As usual there will be plenty of conferences and workshops spanning from kid’s digital education (an entire pavilion dedicated to the youngsters from 4 to 15 years old filled with laboratories from coding to IoT and robotics) to sustainability via digital manufacturing, 3D printing and whatever you can imagine (Health, Green Tech, Circular Economy).

This year Maker Faire will be 100% carbon free  according to a specific set of a 10 points guidelines which include the prohibition of the use, within the exhibition area and by the organization, of all containers made of polyethylene or other plastic materials and the production (in the preparation and display phases) of renewable energy to achieve full coverage of the energy needs of the structure. For this achievement we really prod ourselves.

What is your own background and your interests?

The event is organized by a public body the Rome Chamber of Commerce  and its internal agency Innova Camera. The Rome Chamber of Commerce is an institution which, by adopting the “Culture of Doing” has actively promoted the implementation of a decisive process of modernisation aimed to create both employment and wealth.

What opportunities are on offer for (startups) and companies attending your event?

By cooperating with Embassy, Venture Capitalist, Business Angels  thanks to the partnership with the  Italian Trade Agency and  the Minister of Economic Development  Maker Faire Rome is becoming a platform  where to be for networking, business opportunities and – above all – gather big data and feedback from an audience of potential customer and professionals. Moreover the partners of the event (Eg such as  Sanofi  and Arrow)  are involved in the process of sharing knowledge and opportunities eg The case of Talking Hands by Limix.

A novelty of the 2019 edition is Ask me Everything, a space dedicated to the digital culture orientation for SMEs, with which we want to encourage networking among all the part involved- Experts will respond to the proposed questions, according to a set slot schedule, and will be available to  guide maker, startups and  wanna-be entrepreneurs towards whatever they maybe looking for.

What tips would you give to people attending to get the most out of it?

Our advice is to start following our social media and the web site www.makerfairerome.eu and subscribe to the newsletter to get exactly what they are looking for ( from fun to business). To the exhibitors (No matter if they are makers or startup or SME’s selected by the Calls) we recommend that you fix your goals in advance and to use Maker Faire to gather big data and feedback. It is fun event but also an incredible opportunity, so make sure you plan ahead and develop a team to support and bring aling..

How can people book tickets / when does it usually sell out? 

The ticket sales start in August with the early bird/blind tickets available online until the 1st of September at half the whole price which is €12 (again surfing the web site or our social profiles or subscribing to the newsletter is the best way to stay tuned). The venue is huge with more than 100 sqm so we are able to host loads of people. The average time spent at the faire is in between 4 and 6 hours. We suggest Friday afternoon for visiting the booth and Saturday morning for attending workshops and conferences in doing so, one may book a very unusual weekend in Rome mixing up archaeology, cutting-edge technologies and – of course – Rome.

Anything else you’d like to add?

Some suggestions:

To the general audience: book on line when the early bird sell starts, visit the Maker Faire website and write to us for any enquiries: no bot on our side. Despite being an innovative event, first and foremost we are an interactive event. People do matter to us and we are always ready to get back to those who ask for information.

Maker Faire Rome is a wonderful event for everyone especially for those who want to glimpse into the future.

Maker Faire Rome is the perfect place to ignite children’s curiosity for all sciences: no watching but learning by doing with the activities scheduled in the dedicated pavilion.

To makers, startups wanna-be startup : there is no other place where to be to test your prototype,  your organization and capability to deal with  the international market. It’s really a dress rehearsal (practice run) towards your future where you can relate with great corporation.

To schools: it’s really fun.

To Universities and Research Centres: Get out from your laboratories: let the world be aware of the future in the making you are working on.