MILANOMADEINDESIGN is a travelling international exhibition, organized and managed by the Milano Metropoli Development Agency. In 2006 and 2007 the Agency used the exhibition to promote the companies, artisan workshops, training colleges and research centres that lie behind the complex chain of the design industry that has placed Milan firmly on the worldwide design map.

The exhibition tried, in fact, to explain how the link between area and design arose and developed, from production to projects, from research to the market and to the distribution chain. MILANOMADEINDESIGN offered visitors not only a select display of design objects, but above all the chance to come into contact with the whole industrial network of Milanese firms that manufacture innovative design products. The exhibition developed 12 theme sections in which 173 products were presented, along with 121 companies. No fewer than 36 correlated and collateral events were also organized.

The exhibition was part of the Agency's key commitment to promoting and enhancing Milan's entrepreneurs and creative talent and to re-affirming Milan as a centre of excellence in international design. Heightening awareness of the creative flair and craftsmanship of the local SMEs, artisan workshops and training colleges that generate design helps to give them a competitive edge on the global economic scene and to attract foreign investors.

Key features and results of the exhibition

• A joint approach, shared by the local authorities
  MILANOMADEINDESIGN was the result of institutional cooperation, but the main value of the initiative was that it served to develop a shared strategic approach to promoting the local Milanese and Lombard system. The exhibition was promoted by the Province of Milan, Milan City Council and the Milan Chamber of Commerce in cooperation with the Lombard Region and the Milan Triennale, with the patronage of the Ministry for Foreign Affairs and the Ministry for Economic Development and with the support, in their capacity as sponsors and partners, of numerous mass media and Italian companies.
  
  
• 72,000 visitors in 6 legs
  New York Milk Gallery, 19 May -10 June 2006 (23 days)
  Toronto Design Exchange, 22 September-12 November 2006 (51 days)Tokyo Shiodomeitalia Creative Center, 21 March-22 April 2007 (33 days)Tokyo "Lohas Design Award",12-20 May 2007 (8 days)
  Pechino Beijing Today Art Museum, 5-17 July 2007 (14 days)
  Shanghai Duolun Museum of Modern Art, 10-27 November 2007 (18 days)
  
  
• New communication instruments to promote design
  The exhibition helped to create new communication instruments for promoting design internationally. These include two publications: MILANOMADEINDESIGN DIRECTORY (Italian - English) and CATALOGO Territorio, Uomini, Idee (Italian - English - Chinese) plus  the web site
  http://www.milanomadeindesign.com/ (Italian - English - Chinese)

For further information visit www.madeindesign.it and the Surveys and Publications (Design Directory) section.