SAIE’s Pathways are leading threads in many scheduled special initiatives that guide visiting professionals and better focus content. They provide an integrated overview of the most effective and innovative solutions in the world of construction through demonstration areas, special initiatives and squares of excellence.
They make the trade show experience dynamic, allowing visitors to discover key market trends, immerse themselves in the real projects of participating companies and make the most of business activities, concrete product applications and equipment use with the involvement of suppliers, designers, contractors and installers.
During SAIE, the most relevant topics of the supply chain are discussed in depth: construction site, energy efficiency, digitalization, NRP, building-installation integration, energy transition, regeneration and redevelopment of buildings, cities and territory.
To best address these topics, SAIE has designed four specialized pathways, within which individual special initiatives are developed:
Espositori
SAIE Infrastructures
The thematic itinerary in which, thanks to the collaboration with strategic corporate partners and industry associations, the excellence of Italian projects in bridges, viaducts, ports, rail networks, tunnels, roads and highways will be shown. Several initiatives are planned:
Special Initiatives 2026
SAIE Infrastructure Arena
A space for technical discussion where various institutional and corporate representatives will take turns to share their points of view, the progress of construction sites, and technological innovations useful for project development. Topics to be explored include: the main issues facing Italian infrastructure, the impact of climate change and solutions for safety and maintenance, digital evolution throughout the life cycle of infrastructure projects, and the prospects for sustainable infrastructure, including innovative materials, the circular economy, and new public-private financing models.
SAIE InCalcestruzzo Arena and Demo Area
The exhibition dedicated to innovation in the concrete supply chain, involving all players who use concrete in construction.
National Forum of Screeds and Floors
Conpaviper in cooperation with Senaf organized at SAIE Bologna the 4th edition of the National Forum Massetti e Pavimenti, the reference event for the continuous flooring industry.
SAIE Sustainability
Pathway dedicated to the environmental and sustainability requirements related to the design, construction and property management activities of buildings. The link between construction and energy efficiency of buildings will be explored in depth, to provide an overview of environmentally sustainable materials, improved indoor and outdoor well-being, and solutions for the protection of the built environment in all its parts.
Special Initiatives 2026
A.I.M.I. Plant Square
A.I.M.I. (Associazione Italiana Manutentori Installatori) participates in SAIE with a space in which mini-conferences are carried out with a focus on the world of thermohydraulics and on the integration between buildings and plants: from the novelties introduced by the new standards, to leak tests, to radiant systems. A rich panel of content, thanks to the collaboration with some partner companies, which also exhibited some products on the topics discussed.
Ceramic and Brick Square – Confindustria Ceramica
Collective exhibition promoted by Confindustria Ceramica, representing brick and tile products, which, even with significant technological advances, remain timeless in building applications thanks to their unmistakable quality and reliability. The exhibition spaces present construction solutions for the entire building, from the most established to the most innovative, in order to respond to the great challenges of the “ecological and digital” transitions of our times.
ISI Seismic Square
An exhibition and technical analysis area entirely dedicated to seismic engineering, organized and managed in collaboration with ISI – Italian Seismic Engineering and its associates. An initiative that promotes seismic engineering through the presentation of outstanding products, projects, and case histories.
Restoration Yard Square
SAIE and Assorestauro forged a partnership to bring new expertise and discover innovations dedicated to architectural redevelopment and restoration to the fair.
SAIE Windows and Doors Square
The thematic area that enhances and highlights the best of the production of those working in the industry dedicated to the world of windows, frames, doors, and related technological solutions.
Wood Square
Piazza Legno is the themed area dedicated to the growing use of wood in construction, a symbol of innovation and sustainability. Here, companies in the sector present the latest technological solutions, high-performance materials, and outstanding case histories, offering a comprehensive overview of the potential of this extraordinary material.
SAIE People at the Centre
The path that focuses on the person and the development of the skills of building and construction operators. Thanks to the collaboration with strategic corporate partners, associations, national bodies and training schools, moments of demonstration, training, awarding and sharing of excellence in the Italian territory will be organized to broaden the vision of the construction world by making culture on construction issues.
Special Initiatives 2026
Ediltrophy with FORMEDIL
Ediltrophy, the masonry competition involving the best construction schools in Italy, organized by FORMEDIL (National Agency for Professional Training in Construction) in collaboration with IIPLE and SAIE. The national final will take place at SAIE on Saturday, October 10, 2026, where the winners of the junior (apprentices) and senior (masters) categories will be awarded.
The award that the construction workers’ social security fund system gives annually to companies, workers, and consultants who are ambassadors of positive values for the bilateral construction system.
SAIE Innovation
The track dedicated to insights on: digitization, technological innovation, parametric design, digital transformation and artificial intelligence: key factors for the future of construction.
Special Initiatives 2026
ASSOBIM Digitization Square
An exhibition area dedicated to the topics of digitization and BIM featuring companies coordinated by ASSOBIM.
ASSOBIM runs a series of technical insights with its members to promote the spread of BIM. Relevant topics include: integration between BIM and advanced surveying and data processing technologies; BIM for project computation; interoperability between different software platforms; and BIM for design: infrastructural, plant engineering, structural, and architectural.
AIST Technical Software Square
AIST, the Italian Technical Software Association organized a series of conferences and technical insights at SAIE with the involvement of member companies. Educational moments dedicated to: designers, engineers, construction companies, public agencies and industry technicians.
Contest BIM&DIGITAL Award
The contest promoted by Clust-ER Build in collaboration with SAIE and ASSOBIM to take stock of innovation and digital transformation of the built environment. The primary objective of the award is to raise awareness of projects and works that take advantage of digital innovations (BIM but not only BIM); to reward industrial and university research as well as designers, companies, start-ups, and enterprises that have promoted new digital tools for the built environment.
Piazza DIARS
Codis is organizing the 2026 edition of DIARS, the event dedicated to diagnostics applied to restoration and structural renovation, as part of SAIE. Exhibition spaces, technical training, and practical demonstrations will be offered at this event, which will explore technical issues related to structural diagnostics with all categories involved in the design and implementation of interventions on existing buildings.
Piazza Clust-ER BUILD
A space where the Emilia-Romagna Region’s Clust-ER Building and Construction Cluster presents innovations in the fields of infrastructure, cultural heritage, and building sustainability.
SAIE Machinery and Equipment
The exhibition area to meet the new demands generated by the opening of construction sites financed by the PNRR and construction BONUS, dedicated to manufacturers and distributors of machinery, equipment and technologies for the construction site: from earthmoving to lifting, from demolition to drilling, from quarry site equipment to road vehicles.
