During the press conference unveiling the next edition, the organisers also marked a significant milestone: the tenth anniversary of the event. This achievement highlights a decade built on vision and collaboration, bringing together companies, institutions, research organisations, international buyers, specialists, and professionals from every corner of the world. Founded in 2015 as a highly specialised trade fair, IVS has since become the reference point for the entire industrial valve supply chain. Over ten years, the Summit has expanded in size, scope, and influence, strengthening both the competitiveness of Italy’s manufacturing districts and the international reputation of the Italian industrial sector.
The upcoming 2026 edition represents a further leap forward in this growth path. The exhibition area will be enlarged with the addition of two new halls, while the event itself will extend over three full days open to visitors. What was once a two-day showcase will now evolve into a full-scale “Valve Week.” Starting on Tuesday 19 May, the scientific programme will commence alongside the opening of the exhibition halls, welcoming the global valve community to Bergamo. This transformation reflects the organisers’ determination to respond to the increasing demand for advanced content, networking opportunities, and high-level dialogue. Early registration figures already confirm this momentum: after the record results of the 2024 edition – which hosted 15,000 participants from 69 countries (+25%) and 325 exhibitors (+13%) from 14 nations, with international attendance doubling compared to 2022 – the sixth edition is set to raise the bar even higher. Hundreds of leading companies from across the world are expected, further testifying to the industry’s trust in IVS, despite today’s complex global landscape.
The scientific programme of IVS 2026 will once again benefit from the expertise of VALVEcampus, the association dedicated to the training of industrial valve manufacturers and a long-standing partner of the Summit. The agenda will place particular emphasis on frontier technologies and growth opportunities in emerging application areas such as hydrogen, water management, and liquefied natural gas – all strategic domains for the sector’s future. Six core topics will guide the sessions: standardisation and standards development; digital technologies applied to valves, actuators, and control; valve design and materials for severe services; advanced sealing solutions for industrial valves; AI applied to mechanical design, procurement and manufacturing; and additive manufacturing.
In addition, four specialised round tables will delve into some of the most challenging issues in the field: subsea valve deployment in deepwater projects; choke valve applications in high-pressure systems; the performance and reliability of control valves in critical environments; and advanced surface treatments to counteract erosion and corrosion. A concluding session, entitled “The Future of Energy”, will feature prominent voices from the entire valve value chain in a strategic discussion on key market trends and long-term perspectives.
International partnerships remain central to the event’s growth. Through these collaborations, delegations of institutional representatives, entrepreneurs, decision-makers, speakers, and highly qualified professionals will take part in IVS 2026. Furthermore, the organisers are arranging the presence of leading buyers from major end users and EPCs, ensuring unique opportunities for meaningful exchanges across the global energy landscape.
