SAMAB 2027 brings fashion technology to Milan on 25–27 May.
Dates
25–27 May 2027
City / country
Milan, Italy
Venue
Fiera Milano Rho
Are you the organiser of this event?
Event overview
SAMAB – Textile & Fashion Technologies Event 2027 runs 25–27 May 2027 at Fiera Milano Rho in Milan, Italy.
The biennial exhibition connects manufacturers of machinery, systems, accessories and equipment for garment and sewn-product production with qualified fashion-manufacturing buyers.
The 2025 first edition drew more than 3,000 visitors, 70 exhibiting companies and 21 international buyers, alongside over 50 conferences, workshops and talks.
TL;DR
See working machinery and software for cutting, sewing, pressing and finishing, compare suppliers side by side and sit in on conference sessions on automation and sustainability. The 2025 edition hosted 50+ conferences and 21 international buyers, so buyers can combine sourcing with a focused look at where garment production technology is heading.
SAMAB puts equipment and software in front of qualified fashion-manufacturing buyers in Italy, one of Europe’s largest apparel production bases. The move to Fiera Milano Rho provides the space and technical infrastructure for heavy machinery, and the curated layout keeps exhibitors visible to a targeted audience rather than a general public crowd.
Attendees, exhibitors & solutions
Visitor profile
Typical attendee groups you can expect to meet.
Exhibitor profile
Main supplier and exhibitor segments present at the show.
Product categories
Key solution areas showcased across the event.
Location & Facilities
Halls & areas
1Fiera Milano Rho – Strada Statale Sempione, 28, 20017 Rho, Milano, Italy
Entrances & gates
Main visitor entrances
Enter via the main Fiera Milano Rho gate shown on your pass; allow time for badge checks.
On-site paid parking is available at Fiera Milano Rho; use the fieramilano motorway exits and follow signs to the visitor car parks.
The fairground is step-free; accessible toilets and lifts serve the halls. Ask at the main reception desk for assistance.
Food options
Fiera Milano Rho food courts, Central concourse cafés, Hall self-service restaurants, Business lounge catering
On-site diningParking: Fiera Milano Rho has on-site paid car parks; follow the fieramilano exit from the A50/A4/A8/A9 motorways.
Gate: Metro M1 stops at Rho-Fieramilano and Trenord S5/S6/S11 at Rho Fiera, both next to the fairground.
Attend
Ticket info
Badge collection
Bring the online admission pass and a photo ID; badges are issued at the visitor registration desks.
Ticket notes
Visitor admission is by online pass requested through the event website. No 2027 ticket price is published.
What's on
ITA – Italian Trade Agency(ITA)
Institutional trade-promotion partner · Italy
How the last edition performed
Last edition
2025
Visitors: 3,000
Exhibitors: 70
Edition #: 1
This edition
2027
Visitors: 3,500
Exhibitors: 90
Next edition
Not announced yet
Growth over time
Edition recap
The first SAMAB edition in 2025 brought more than 3,000 visitors and 70 exhibiting companies to Milan, with 21 international buyers and over 50 conferences, workshops and talks. The 2027 edition moves to Fiera Milano Rho.
New this edition
Move to Fiera Milano Rho
The 2027 edition moves from Superstudio Maxi to the larger Fiera Milano Rho fairground.
SourceStronger international focus
The organiser plans to expand international participation among both exhibitors and visitors.
SourceSpace for heavy machinery
The new venue provides the space, infrastructure and technical facilities needed for machine exhibits.
SourcePhotos
Impact
The 2025 debut proved demand for a dedicated fashion-technology show in Italy, drawing 3,000+ professionals and 70 exhibitors in a curated venue. The 2027 move to Fiera Milano Rho gives the event room to host heavier machinery and a larger international exhibitor base without losing its focused, trade-only character.
Audience quality
Visitors are production, technical and sourcing professionals from apparel and sewn-product manufacturing rather than general consumers. The organiser hosted 21 international buyers in 2025, indicating a buyer programme that supports export-minded exhibitors, though the 2027 audience mix is not yet published.
Exhibitor outcomes
Best suited to machinery and software suppliers that can demonstrate equipment live and qualify leads on the stand. A 70-exhibitor debut gives early exhibitors visibility, but with a projected 90 companies in 2027 the show is still compact enough for focused meetings; ROI depends on pre-booked appointments with Italian manufacturers.
Intelligence
Key market insights, trends, news and related events to help you understand the bigger picture.
Why it matters
Italy hosts one of Europe’s densest apparel and textile manufacturing clusters, and SAMAB sits inside that supply chain rather than beside it. A vertical show for production technology lets machinery makers meet factory owners, technical directors and sourcing teams who are investing in automation, digital design and lower-impact processes.
Key trends shaping this market and its wider industry.
Automation against labour shortages
Apparel factories across Europe are automating cutting, material handling and sewing-setup tasks as skilled operators become harder to recruit.
What it changes: Machinery suppliers that can show measurable throughput gains are the strongest draw for production managers.
Digital product creation and 3D sampling
Brands are pushing 3D design and virtual sampling into supplier workflows to cut physical prototypes and shorten development cycles.
What it changes: CAD/CAM and PLM vendors can use SAMAB to reach pattern makers and technical teams at Italian manufacturers.
Traceability and lower-impact production
EU fashion buyers increasingly ask for material traceability, energy-efficient finishing and circular production options.
What it changes: Sustainability is becoming a purchasing criterion, giving lower-impact technology and material suppliers a clear story.
Adjacent shows a fashion-technology buyer would consider in the same planning cycle.
Spring 2027
Back-to-back European sourcing trips are feasible in May.
Circuit dates are planning estimates from public show calendars; verify each before booking.
Plan your trip
Choose from the following airports, with convenient access to the event and venue.
Milan Malpensa
Main intercontinental gateway; Malpensa Express trains run to Milan Cadorna and Centrale.
about 45 km
to venue
45–60 minutes
by car
Milan Linate
Closest airport for European flights; Metro M4 links Linate to the city centre.
about 22 km
to venue
25–40 minutes
by car
A range of accommodation options near the venue and across key areas.
USD 110–150 / night
Simple airport-style hotels within a short drive or bus ride of the halls.
USD 180–240 / night
Business hotels with easy metro or train access to Rho-Fieramilano.
USD 300–420 / night
Five-star options for senior teams; allow 30–40 minutes by car or metro.
Get around the city with these convenient transport options.
Metro
Fastest route from the centre; trains every few minutes at peak.
Regional train
Useful from Cadorna, Garibaldi and Centrale; the station is beside the fairground.
Taxi
Fixed-ish metered fare; allow extra time in morning traffic.
Plan your trip
Check the latest visa requirements and entry guidelines before travelling.
| Type | Who needs it | Fee | Processing | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Schengen short-stay business visa | Visitors from countries without a Schengen visa-waiver agreement | $90.00 | Typically 15 calendar days; apply up to six months ahead |
EU/EEA citizens and many waiver countries can enter visa-free for short business trips; check the Italian foreign ministry list before booking.
Italy accepts ATA carnets for temporary import of machinery and exhibition goods; list equipment values accurately and have the carnet stamped at customs.
Official visa pageWeather
Late May in Milan is mild and often showery: expect 14–24°C, with rain on some days and warm afternoons in the halls.
Plan for the climate
Check temperatures and pack accordingly
Venue connectivity
Italian SIMs and eSIMs are cheap; Fiera Milano Rho has Wi-Fi in the halls and business areas. Mobile coverage is good throughout.
Ride-hailing
Taxis
Public transit
Car rentals
Useful information to help you have a smooth and respectful visit.
Milan business pace
Meetings start on time and are usually short. Exchange business cards, confirm follow-ups in writing and allow for the August holiday slowdown.
Dress and dining
Smart-casual business dress works for the show. Lunch is later than in northern Europe, and aperitivo around 18:30–20:00 is the usual networking slot.
Practical guides
Everything needed to arrive prepared, navigate the event, and make the visit productive.
Destination: MXP – Milan Malpensa
Book 6–10 weeks ahead; May is a busy trade-show month in Milan, so fares rise close to the dates.
Book flightsSchengen rules apply. Many nationalities need a short-stay visa; EU/EEA visitors do not.
Estimated cost: €90 visa fee plus service charges where applicable
Processing: About 15 calendar days; apply early in peak season
Carry an invitation letter, hotel booking and return ticket. Check the Italian embassy site for your nationality.
OfficialPartnerGet to the venue and around the city with these options.
Airport → venue: Malpensa Express to Cadorna or Centrale, then Metro M1 to Rho-Fieramilano; or a 45–60 minute taxi.
Hotel → venue: Use Metro M1 to Rho-Fieramilano or Trenord S5/S6/S11 to Rho Fiera.
Ride-hail: Uber and FreeNow operate in Milan; taxis are metered and readily available at the airport and stations.
Public transit: ATM metro and Trenord regional trains cover the fairground; buy tickets at machines or via the ATM app.
Parking: Paid on-site car parks at Fiera Milano Rho; pre-book for busy show days.
Plan and pack for the event climate.
Month: May
Temperature: 14–24°C
Seasonality: Spring showers are common; some days are warm and humid in the halls.
Packing: Light layers, a compact umbrella and comfortable shoes for long days on concrete floors.
Plan your trip
Best day to visit: Day 2 (26 May 2027)
Day two usually has the fullest conference programme and calmer aisles than opening morning, so buyers can hold longer supplier meetings.
Register for an online admission pass and book flights — Check passport validity and Schengen visa needs.
Book a hotel in Rho, Pero or central Milan — May is busy; confirm free cancellation.
Download the exhibitor list and shortlist 10 suppliers — Note stand numbers and product categories.
Plan conference sessions and request meetings — Leave gaps between halls; the site is large.
Check travel disruption, pack badges and business cards — Metro M1 is the most reliable route to the fairground.
Registration and badge collection
Main visitor entrance, Fiera Milano RhoMachinery halls: cutting, sewing and pressing demonstrations
Exhibition hallsLunch and informal supplier meetings
Hall food courtConference session on automation and sustainability
Conference areaFollow-up meetings and exhibitor stand visits
Exhibition hallsMilan Duomo and Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II
City Landmark
35–45 minutes by Metro M1
Easy half-day add-on for first-time visitors to Milan.
Lake Como
Day Trip
About 1 hour by train from Milano Centrale
A relaxed post-show day trip; book a late return.
Aperitivo bars in Brera
Evening networking
Central Milan, 25–35 minutes by metro from the fairground.
Fiera Milano Rho business lounges
On-site meetings
Quieter tables for follow-up conversations during the show.
Trade-show leads decay quickly; a 48-hour response while the show is still running keeps SAMAB conversations warm.
Budget
Shell scheme
EUR 140–190 / m²
Raw space
EUR 220–300 / m²
Standard booth
9 m²
Indicative Italian trade-fair bands for 2027; the organiser has not published a tariff. Confirm with the sales team.
sourceAdjust the inputs below to create a directional event budget.
This is a directional estimate. Please verify live rates before booking.
Official cost items and estimated ranges for exhibitors.
shell_scheme
exhibitor · 9 sqm
USD 1440–1980 / per booth
hotel
both · mid
USD 180–240 / per night
per_diem
both · standard
USD 60–90 / per day
flight
both · economy from Europe
USD 150–260 / return
visa
visitor · Schengen short stay
USD 90–140 / per person
insurance
both · travel and medical
USD 40–90 / per trip
| Item | For | Tier | Estimated range | Status | As of |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| shell_scheme | exhibitor | 9 sqm | USD 1440–1980 / per booth | estimate | 2026-10-31 |
| hotel | both | mid | USD 180–240 / per night | estimate | 2026-10-31 |
| per_diem | both | standard | USD 60–90 / per day | estimate | 2026-10-31 |
| flight | both | economy from Europe | USD 150–260 / return | estimate | 2026-10-31 |
| visa | visitor | Schengen short stay | USD 90–140 / per person | estimate | 2026-10-31 |
| insurance | both | travel and medical | USD 40–90 / per trip | estimate | 2026-10-31 |
Decision
Six quick questions to decide whether to visit, exhibit or skip SAMAB 2027.
QUESTION 1 OF 6
What is your main reason for attending SAMAB 2027?
Compare participation options side by side to choose the best fit for your objectives.
visit
You have a live equipment or software project and want to compare suppliers.
Best for
Production managers, technical directors and sourcing teams evaluating machinery or software
Min. budget
$500.00
Timeline
1–2 days on site; book 3–4 weeks ahead
Risks
May travel prices
Large venue, long walks
exhibit
You can demonstrate equipment live and have a follow-up sales process.
Best for
Machinery, automation, CAD/CAM and materials suppliers targeting Italian manufacturers
Min. budget
$4,000.00
Timeline
3–6 months of planning and stand build
Risks
Compact show with 70–90 exhibitors
Heavy machinery logistics
skip
Your work is unrelated to apparel production technology this cycle.
Best for
General consumers, job seekers and teams with no fashion-manufacturing remit
Timeline
Not applicable
Risks
Missed networking
No direct commercial fit
Book with
Fiera Milano
Operator of the Fiera Milano Rho fairground hosting SAMAB 2027.
Venue named on the official SAMAB site.
ITA – Italian Trade Agency
Italian agency promoting Italian companies abroad and inbound trade visitors.
Logo appears among the event’s institutional partners.
Confindustria Moda
Italian federation representing the fashion and textile supply chain.
Logo appears on the official SAMAB site.
SEA Milan Airports
Operator of Milan Malpensa and Linate airports, the main gateways for visitors.
Public airport operator; not an official SAMAB sponsor.
Recommended providers
Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs – visa portal
Official Schengen visa information and appointment links.
Compare Rho, Pero and central Milan hotels; book with free cancellation.
Direct flights to Milan Linate and Malpensa from major European and intercontinental cities.
International exhibition freight with customs and ATA-carnet support.
Schengen-compliant travel medical insurance; check the minimum cover required.
Book Milan city and Lake Como day trips with flexible cancellation.
Badge-scanning and lead-capture app with CSV/CRM export.
FAQs & glossary
Frequently asked
Glossary
Also known as
Alternate names and search phrases for this event.
4 more alternate names hidden
Trust footer
2
References
1
Publishers
2
Date checked
SAMAB / Senaf
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