In short
Cersaie is Italy's ceramic tile and bathroom fair, and its stands are architecture in themselves. Designers want to see tile at full scale, under good light, in a realistic room. A stand here should show large surfaces, offer a sample library and give architects a place to sit. Start a custom stand about 9–12 months ahead and confirm dates, height limits and rules in the exhibitor manual.
Key points
- Where and when: Bologna, annual in Bologna, usually in the autumn.
- The audience is mostly architects.
- Full-scale surfaces.
- Real room settings.
- Plan a custom stand about 9–12 months before the show.
Cersaie for exhibitors
Tile makers from the Sassuolo district and beyond show their new collections. Large-format slabs have changed how stands are built, with big surfaces mounted on frames.
| Cersaie | |
|---|---|
| City | Bologna |
| Venue | BolognaFiera |
| Sector | Ceramic tile and bathroom furnishings |
| Cycle | Annual in Bologna, usually in the autumn |
| Main stand activity | Product display and orders |
| Custom stand lead time | 9–12 months |
Who you are designing for
Architects, interior designers, distributors and contractors.
What matters most on a Cersaie stand:
- Full-scale surfaces.
- Real room settings.
- Sample libraries.
- Architect-friendly data.
Layouts for product display and orders, by stand type
Most Cersaie exhibitors build around product display and orders. How that works depends on how many sides of your plot are open. If you are unsure which type you have, see exhibition stand types.
| Stand type | Open sides | What works |
|---|---|---|
| Row (inline) | 1 | A shop-like display wall with a counter for orders, leaving the floor clear to browse. |
| Island | 4 | A gallery route around a central feature, with order desks and buyer seating along one side. |
Stand ideas for Cersaie
- A slab wall with one continuous vein.
- A complete bathroom set.
- A sample drawer system that visitors can browse.
Planning, approvals and logistics
Tile is heavy. Check floor loads and handling, and mount panels so they can be taken down safely.
Allow about 9–12 months for a custom stand. The exhibitor manual sets height limits, open-side rules and service deadlines; see venue approval and technical drawings.
Where the budget goes at Cersaie
Installing real tiles for a few days is costly, and heavy. Use large-format panels on frames, to get the same look with less wet work.
Mistakes we see at Cersaie
- Small sample boards at a show about scale.
- Harsh lighting on glossy surfaces.
An example Cersaie brief
An 8 × 8 m stand with full-height tile walls, a bathroom corner, a sample rack and a seated table for architects.
Replace the size and the zones with your own. The plot and height limit come from your contract and the exhibitor manual.
Try your Cersaie layout in 3D
ExhibitionBase Studio turns your plot size, open sides and a brief about product display and orders into an editable 3D stand for 5 credits, renders it and exports a plan for your builder. New workspaces get 5 free credits.
Frequently asked questions
01Where is Cersaie held?
At BolognaFiera, in Italy, annually.
02How do I show large tiles?
On frames, so you need less wet work and removal is easier.
03How early should I start designing a Cersaie stand?
For a custom stand, about 9–12 months ahead: long enough for design, organiser approval, production and shipping. Shell scheme stands can be planned in weeks.
04Can I reuse my Cersaie stand at other shows?
Often, if it is modular. Design the core (walls, counters, product display and orders area) to work on several plot sizes, and swap graphics per show. See [modular vs custom stands](/guides/modular-vs-custom-exhibition-stands).
Put it into practice
From a client brief to a 3D stand concept in minutes
An editable 3D exhibition stand concept from a written brief and the brand's website, at your exact size.
Guidance here reflects common practice. Venues, organisers and countries set their own rules: always check the exhibitor manual and work with a qualified stand builder and engineer for structures.
