SMART BUILDING EXPO: Focus on Dual Digital and Energy Transition of Buildings and Cities

SMART BUILDING EXPO, the international trade fair dedicated to home and building automation and technological integration, organized by Fiera Milano and Pentastudio, is looking ahead to its fifth edition – taking place at Fiera Milano (Rho) from November 19 to 21, 2025 – with great optimism. This confidence stems from a rich exhibition offering and a comprehensive training and professional development program, designed in collaboration with key industry stakeholders.

For the home and building automation sector – a network of companies and professionals poised to play a leading role in the decarbonization of buildings and the implementation of EPBD4 (Energy Performance of Buildings Directive 4) in the coming years – SMART BUILDING EXPO 2025 is set to be the benchmark event for the industry. The time is right, and the EU-mandated deadlines are fast approaching: while the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive aims to decarbonize Europe’s building stock by 2050, EU Member States must transpose the directive into national law by May 2026. This will require the development of national building renovation plans to ensure that both public and private real estate assets undergo the necessary upgrades to become zero-emission.

In this challenging yet opportunity-rich landscape, SMART BUILDING EXPO 2025 will outline a future that is already becoming reality, emphasizing the importance of a high-level networking and knowledge-sharing platform for all industry players involved.

With eight months to go until the event, the results already achieved confirm that the 2025 edition will be the largest and most comprehensive ever,”

Luca Baldin, Project Manager of SMART BUILDING EXPO

“We are witnessing firsthand the urgency for companies to create a system and establish a productive dialogue with institutions. Over the years, SMART BUILDING EXPO has become a key reference point for home & building automation in Italy, serving as both a strategic showcase for the sector and an opportunity to share a vision that must translate into a coherent industrial plan – one capable of turning green policies into opportunities rather than obstacles for the country. With eight months to go until the event, the results already achieved confirm that the 2025 edition will be the largest and most comprehensive ever.” – explains Luca Baldin, Project Manager of SMART BUILDING EXPO. “However, the most significant aspect is the recognition of the project by the industry’s major players, who appreciate its value and consider it an unmissable event”.

The associative world and competence centers are also rallying around SBE, further underscoring the growing role the exhibition is playing in the market. As of today, the event’s partners include: Smart Buildings Alliance, an Italian organization dedicated to promoting the smart buildings sector within the Digital City by bringing together all key stakeholders; AIBACS (Italian Association of Building Automation and Control Systems), which promotes initiatives aimed at advancing technologies, expertise, and sciences related to automation and building system management; The Energy Managers Association, which unites professionals in the energy and plant engineering sectors; KNX Italia, a key reference for manufacturers, system integrators, universities, and research centers that have adopted the KNX standard for home automation and intelligent building automation; Prosiel, focused on the ongoing electrification process and the related safety aspects; Rinnovabili.it, a specialized publication with which SBE will develop discussions on the ongoing energy transition.

In addition, Politecnico di Milano and Cresme, the scientific partners of MIBA – Milan International Building Alliance – the format that brings together SBE, MADE Expo, SICUREZZA, and GEE – Global Elevator Exhibition – will support the exhibitions with market analyses and industry reports.

THE 2025 EDITION

SBE 2025 will once again serve as a unique platform for discussion on all the innovations and developments enabling the smart evolution of buildings and cities, covering key areas such as renewable energy, control and management platforms, network infrastructure and connectivity, home and building automation, electrification of systems and buildings, smart lighting, and e-mobility infrastructure.

At the forefront of discussions, creating a common thread throughout the event, will be the European Green Homes Directive and its implementation plan. The goal is to provide decision-makers with an opportunity to embrace a widely shared vision within the industry regarding the necessary direction to take and the importance of equipping all buildings with intelligent monitoring and management systems. These are seen as a prerequisite for achieving the 2030 and 2050 sustainability goals.

As in 2023, the event format will once again include dedicated “Innovation Hubs” throughout the exhibition area. These hubs will feature insightful discussions and expert talks covering a range of topics – from technological building architecture to system integration, with a particular focus on energy-related issues.

Alongside these hubs, several high-profile special events will further enrich the program, including the third edition of the Milano Smart City Conference, which will explore the crucial relationship between buildings and the urban environment in the context of digitalization.

SBE will host the second Mediterranean Data Center Meeting, addressing the pressing issue of sustainability for these increasingly energy-intensive technological infrastructures. Milan and its metropolitan area have emerged as Italy’s key hub for data centers, making this discussion especially relevant.

There will also be organized the second National Smart Installer Meeting, bringing together a network of top-tier technical professionals, recognized for their high service quality and certified skills. This event will also host the launch of the European LIFE-SKEMA project, aimed at reskilling technical personnel involved in the energy transition process.

MIBA: CONTINUING SYNERGY

With the aim of fostering business opportunities for exhibitors and visitors – and following the great success of the 2023 edition – SBE 2025 reaffirms its participation in MIBA – Milan International Building Alliance. This initiative by Fiera Milano brings together four leading trade fairs, each representing markets that, in various ways, are key players in the evolution of buildings and cities: MADE expo, Italy’s leading international event for innovative and sustainable construction solutions; SICUREZZA, one of Europe’s top security and fire protection trade shows and the leading event in Italy; GEE – Global Elevator Exhibition, dedicated to horizontal and vertical mobility solutions, and, of course, SMART BUILDING EXPO.

The synergy between these events reflects the increasing need for cross-sector collaboration in developing buildings that are efficient, secure, connected, and inclusive. This format offers industry professionals a comprehensive marketplace where they can explore innovations from top-tier companies across eight exhibition halls.

Visitors to SBE 2025 will also benefit from an integrated experience: with a single ticket, they will have access to all four trade fairs, allowing them to explore cutting-edge solutions and attend training events across each of the co-located exhibitions.