Acimall, the Italian Woodworking Machinery and Tools Manufacturers’ Association, confirmed the dates for the next biennial show as May 13-17, 2014.
Xylexpo exhibition director Paolo Zanibon told TTJ that Acimall had consulted members about the future of Xylexpo, including the viability of moving to another location, and held talks with rival Rimini-based show Technodomus.
"The decision from our board was to organise Xylexpo in Milan," said Mr Zanibon. More than 80% of Acimall membership was in favour of Milan.
Other options assessed were believed to be moving the event to Bologna, Verona or Rimini.
An independent study had also demonstrated that exhibitor costs were largely similar whether the event was in Milan or Rimini.
"We have not reached any agreement with Technodomus and we do not know if they will have a show or not," said Mr Zanibon.
He said Acimall had a good level of communication with SCM, Biesse and Cefla – who boycotted Xylexpo 2012 in order to support Technodomus.
"We hope and believe they will be with us in 2014."
Mr Zanibon said he hoped an agreement would still be reached with Technodomus for the latter to hold its exhibitions in uneven years so as not to clash with Xylexpo. "This is a solution which can be supported by us."
He said the "war" between the two shows had not been created by Xylexpo but by Rimini Fiera’s decision to hold its last show just three weeks before Xylexpo.
Xylexpo 2012 recorded an official attendance of 43,295 – down from 51,480 in 2010 – with exhibiton space totalling 32,178m2 (2010: 42,500m2).
