Marmomacc, the Italian international stone exhibition held each year in Verona, and Abitare il Tempo, an exhibition of interior design and furniture, will be held together this year in Verona 24-27 September.

Veronafiere says holding the two fairs at the same time will benefit the international professional and trade  audiences of both, which include designers, architects, clients and contractors.

Marmomacc says it will integrate experimental proposals in terms of products, design and furnishing in the hospitality segment, while Abitare il Tempo will broaden its target in terms of exhibitors and visitors alike.

In 2013, Marmomacc attracted 56,992 visitors, up 8.8% on the previous year, with more than half of them coming from outside Italy and representing 143 countries in total.

The top ten greatest number of visitors from individual countries, in decending order, were Germany, India, Spain, Turkey, France, USA, UK, China, Russia and Brazil.

There were more than 1,400 exhibitors from nearly 60 countries, with companies from Singapore, Slovenia and Ireland exhibiting for the first time. There were 16 international group attendances, with the return of Palestine and the debut of Tunisia, and 44 official trade missions from 44 countries.

Marmomacc says holding the two fairs together this year will bring about innovations. In Hall 1 there will be Inside Marmomacc & Abitare il Tempo cultural exhibitions, events and conferences.