KEY – The Energy Transition Expo 2026 Hosted Buyers Programme
Rimini EXPO Centre, Italy | 4-6 March 2026
Join ItalCham’s hosted delegation to KEY – The Energy Transition Expo 2026, a fast-growing global platform where companies, institutions and innovators drive the future of clean energy and sustainability, organized by IEG – Italian Exhibition Group.
After our first delegations in 2024 and 2025 – with the notable participation of SAPVIA (The South African Photovoltaic Industry Association) in 2025 – we are now recruiting South African companies to join KEY 2026 and take part in B2B meetings with exhibitors from across the clean energy sector.
Here’s what KEY 2025 looked like:
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Over 1,000 exhibitors, 30% of which international
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90,000 m² of exhibition space across 20 halls
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350 hosted buyers and delegations from more than 50 countries
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More than 160 events, conferences and workshops
Why Join?
At KEY, the future of energy takes shape!
Connect with the global clean energy community, discover innovative technologies, and explore new business opportunities.
KEY’s unique format brings together seven exhibition sectors, each dedicated to a strategic area for the future of energy:
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SEC – Solar Expo & Conference: the hub for solar innovation, from residential and industrial solutions to large-scale projects and agrivoltaics.
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WEM – Wind Expo for Med: onshore, offshore, and mini-wind: the full spectrum of wind energy and its role in shaping renewable communities. WEM includes the exhibition Su.Port – ports as energy hubs: electrification of docks, emission reduction, and offshore wind development.
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KSE – Key Storage Expo: advanced storage technologies – from electrochemical to thermal and hydro – ensuring flexibility and stability in renewable-based energy systems.
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HYPE – Hydrogen Power Expo: production, storage, distribution and applications: hydrogen as a key vector for decarbonizing industry and mobility.
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EFFI – Energy Efficiency Expo & Sustainable Building District: cross-sector solutions for smarter energy use, plus sustainable construction in collaboration with Green Building Council Italia.
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eME – eMobility Expo: electric mobility at the centre: charging infrastructure, fleet electrification, batteries, and the evolving mobility ecosystem.
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Sustainable City: a laboratory for tomorrow’s cities: smart grids, digital services, clean transport, urban regeneration, and citizen well-being.
Buyers Programme – What’s Included:
Selected companies will receive the following benefits:
• 3-night hotel accommodation (B&B treatment, 4-start hotel) for 1 representative per company
• Cash reimbursement of maximum € 300,00 as partial coverage of the flight ticket for 1 representative per company
• Transfers Bologna Airport – Hotel / Hotel – Bologna Airport
• Daily transfer from the hotel to the expo venue, and back
• Free entrance ticket
• Lunch at the exhibition centre
Applicants will have to undertake:
• To schedule at least 10 B2B meetings with KEY exhibitors using the online “My Agenda by IEG” platform. These 30-minute meetings will take place on March 5. If the quota is not met in advance, additional appointments must be arranged directly at the expo;
• To submit the appointment diary, duly completed and signed by all exhibitors met;
• To complete an online satisfaction survey at the end of the meetings;
• To return to the exhibition on March 6 to explore additional companies of interest.
Limited spots available – applications will close as soon as the delegation reaches full capacity.
The company representative who will attend KEY must be a decision maker.