Two days of meetings and discussions focused on the key issues shaping the world of pasta and its supply chain, from the international durum wheat scenario and the global pasta market to the evolution of consumer preferences, new nutritional and sustainability demands, and the role of technology, innovation and modern retail in influencing the market and the relationship with consumers.
A comprehensive event designed to engage with industry experts, exchange ideas, build new relationships and give rise to concrete projects.
World Pasta Day takes place at the Fiere di Parma exhibition centre (Viale delle Esposizioni 393a, 43126 Parma, Italy), within Hall 2 of Cibus Tec exhibition.
Program
Moderator of World Pasta Day 2026: Greta Mauro
Journalist – author and radio TV presenter
Registrations & Welcome Coffee
Opening Remarks
Franco Mosconi
President, Fiere di Parma
Thomas Rosolia
President, Koeln Parma Exhibitions
Margherita Mastromauro
President, Pastai Unione Italiana Food and UNAFPA
Carl Zuanelli
President, IPO International Pasta Organization
Fabrizio Lobasso
Deputy General Director for the Promotion of Italy and Economic Internationalization (MAECI)
Worldwide Durum Wheat Market
Introduction: Jaume Mas
Technical Director, Grupo Gallo
Carlotta De Pasquale
Commodity Market Analyst, Areté – The Agri-food Intelligence Company
Global Pasta Market
Moderator: Margherita Mastromauro
President, Pastai Unione Italiana Food and UNAFPA
Pasta Market Presentation:
Matteo Bonù,
Food Industry Leader, NielsenIQ
Contributions by:
Carl Zuanelli
CEO, Nuovo Pasta
Federica Grassi
Vicepresident, Italmopa
Massimiliano Giansanti
President, Confagricoltura
Light Lunch
Pasta and Food Biodiversity
Moderator: Silvia Migliaccio
Full Professor of Nutrition Science, Sapienza Università di Roma – President, SISA
Silvia Migliaccio
Full Professor of Nutrition Science, Sapienza Università di Roma – President, SISA
Luca Piretta
Gastroenterologist and nutritionist, Università Campus Bio-Medico di Roma – Board Member, SISA
Michelangelo Giampietro
Adjunct Lecturer, School of Specialization in Sports and Exercise Medicine, Università Sapienza-Roma
Elisabetta Bernardi
Nutrition biologist, university lecturer and science communicator, University of Bari Aldo Moro
Pasta: Technology and Innovation
Moderator: Roberto Ranieri
Founder, Open Fields Srl
Karim Ammar
Principal scientist and head of durum wheat and triticale breeding, CIMMYT
Robert Mitchell
Head of Food Science, Bühler Group
Emidio Mansi
Italy Commercial Director & Global Marketing Director, Pastificio Lucio Garofalo SpA
Davide Di Nunno
Senior Director Innovation Manager, Gea Extruded Food Technologies
Renato Dall’Agata
Technical & R&D Director, Fava SpA
Michele Amigoni
Chief Research, Development and Quality Officer, Barilla Group
Antonio Gagliardi
New Ventures Technology Innovation Senior Technologist, Barilla Group
Welcome Reception and Farnese Theater Visit (**)
The Welcome Reception will take place at I Voltoni del Guazzatoio.
I Voltoni del Guazzatoio and the Farnese Theater are both located within the Complesso Monumentale della Pilotta (Piazza della Pilotta 5, Parma).
Pasta Party at I Voltoni del Guazzatoio (**)
* To be confirmed
** For participants who booked official hotels through our platform, and for all those whose badge shows the shared city transfer service, the following transfers are included:
27 October
17.00/17.30: from Fiere di Parma (World Pasta Day venue) to hotels
19.00: from hotels to the Welcome Reception venue
23.30: from Pasta Party venue to hotels
Participants travelling independently by car are advised to use the Toschi Car Park – address: viale IV Novembre, Parma.
Shared transfers are also included from hotels to Fiere di Parma on the mornings of 27 and 28 October, and from Fiere di Parma to hotels on the afternoon of 28 October.
Moderator of World Pasta Day 2026: Greta Mauro
Journalist – author and radio TV presenter
Registrations & Welcome Coffee
Pasta Without Borders
Moderator: Simone Cinotto
Professor of Contemporary History, University of Gastronomic Sciences of Pollenzo
Davide Cassi
Scientist, University of Parma
Alessandro Massi
Publisher, ItaliaSquisita – Vertical Srl
Lorenzo Cogo
Chef
Pasta Cares
Tom Quinn
President and COO, Nuovo Pasta
Pasta Food: New Challenges And Balances In The Large-Scale Retail And Food Service Trade
Opening Remarks – World Pasta Day: The Value of an Iconic Made in Italy Category
by Gruppo Food
Market Insight – Pasta Today: Consumption, Sales and Emerging Trends
Gruppo Food
Retail Forum – The Pasta Category: Innovation, Assortment and Value
Gianluca Cianci
Senior Category Manager, Altasfera Italia Cash and Carry
Federico Cimini
Marketing Director, Altasfera Italia Cash and Carry
Filippo Marano
Grocery Purchasing Director, Multicedi
Coop (*)
Global Perspectives – Is Italian Pasta Still the Star of Tables Around the World?
Carlo Aquilano
Marketing Director, De Cecco
Maria Trapani
Senior Food Buyer, Selfridges
Roberto Losito
Inasa Import Madrid
Ivo Petroff
IP Retail Consult
Beyond Retail – Foodservice: The New Growth Driver for Pasta
Manfredo F. Camperio Ciani
COO & Treasurer, Rubicon Capital Ventures
Closing Takeaways – Key Priorities for Growing the Value of Pasta in the Years Ahead
by Gruppo Food
Closing Remarks
Margherita Mastromauro
President, Pastai Unione Italiana Food and UNAFPA
Carl Zuanelli
President, IPO International Pasta Organization
Antonio Cellie
CEO Fiere di Parma – Koeln Parma Exhibitions
Light Lunch
* To be confirmed
** For participants who booked official hotels through our platform, and for all those whose badge shows the shared city transfer service, the following transfers are included:
27 October
17.00/17.30: from Fiere di Parma (World Pasta Day venue) to hotels
19.00: from hotels to the Welcome Reception venue
23.30: from Pasta Party venue to hotels
Participants travelling independently by car are advised to use the Toschi Car Park – address: viale IV Novembre, Parma.
Shared transfers are also included from hotels to Fiere di Parma on the mornings of 27 and 28 October, and from Fiere di Parma to hotels on the afternoon of 28 October.
Translation of World Pasta Day conferences is just a smartphone away!
Bring it with you together with your earphones. Scan the QR code at the entrance of the conference room, select your preferred language (Italian/English) and get straight into the session without missing a single minute of the event!
