iMEAT 2026 will take place from October 11 to 13 at BolognaFiere, one of Europe’s leading exhibition centers, marking a new phase for the B2B fair dedicated to butchers, delicatessens, Ho.Re.Ca., meat processing and small to medium-sized artisanal food companies.
The move to Bologna represents a strategic step in the fair’s development, offering larger spaces, advanced services and a stronger international platform to support the sector’s growth.
Future editions will be organized by Ecod Extra Srl, a new company owned by BolognaFiere and ECOD Srl, the publishing and organizing company that created and developed iMEAT.
This partnership combines ECOD’s editorial expertise and market knowledge with BolognaFiere Group’s international reach and organizational experience.
The goal is to strengthen iMEAT’s global profile, attract foreign buyers and operators, and consolidate its role as a reference point for the meat and related products supply chain.
Luca Codato, founder and creator of iMEAT, states: “Selling meat is no longer enough; companies must be able to offer solutions. From butcher-restaurants to steakhouses, from the growing role of cooking departments to ready-to-eat products, the key to success lies in the ability to stand out.”
Beyond technical expertise, iMEAT 2026 aims to promote knowledge, innovation and added value, positioning itself as a prestigious showcase in a phase of major transformation. In this evolving scenario, professional cooking is increasingly emerging as the connecting link between retail and HoReCa.
The thematic areas of iMEAT:
• Food and cooking: premium food products and high-quality meats, together with professional cooking equipment and methods.
• iBarbecue Professional: an indoor and outdoor area dedicated to equipment, technologies and new solutions for professional flame cooking.
• Technology and industry: technologies, equipment, machinery, flavourings and ingredients for processing and preservation.
• iFISH: a show within the show dedicated to the seafood sector. This is a significant new feature, as meat and fish share strong synergies, and iMEAT also offers innovative solutions for seafood restaurants and fishmongers.
