by Maximiliano Crocamo
Interviews: Mario Anzil, Deputy Governor and Regional Councilor for Culture and Sport of Friuli Venezia Giulia; Fabrizio Brancoli, Deputy Director of NEM Nord Est Multimedia newspapers; Andrea Razzi, CEO of Trieste Campus
The capital of Friuli Venezia Giulia, the city of Trieste, will host the opening stage of the Sport Business Forum on May 28–29, bringing together leading figures from sport, media and business for a series of public events and discussions.
Speaking at the presentation on Thursday, regional vice governor Mario Anzil described Trieste as “a city of the sea, of borders and of encounters,” adding that sport helps create “places where it is better to live” and can translate ideas into action through broad collaboration between public and private actors.
The forum is organized by Nem Nord Est Multimedia, with support from the Friuli Venezia Giulia regional government and PromoTurismoFVG, in collaboration with Trieste Campus. Banca Generali is a partner, alongside the Fondazione Sit.
Among the headline guests are former cyclist Vincenzo Nibali, former football striker Christian Vieri, and American basketball coach and commentator Dan Peterson. All events are free, with advance booking recommended.
The program opens Thursday afternoon at the regional government palace in Piazza dell’Unità d’Italia with an event titled “Trieste in Movement: Sport as Civil Infrastructure,” featuring regional governor Massimiliano Fedriga and Nem deputy editorial director Fabrizio Brancoli. Sessions will address topics including sports physiology, infrastructure, access to sport, and a case study on Leicester City’s unexpected Premier League title.
Later that evening, Vieri will appear at the Politeama Rossetti theatre. Nibali is scheduled to close the first day’s program, while Peterson will speak on Friday afternoon at Trieste Campus.
Friday’s program also includes a morning session at the Bianchi swimming facility focused on “longevity pathways,” featuring activities such as swimming, dance, posture training, Nordic walking, qi gong, sound baths, and adapted equestrian experiences.
Supported by regional funding, the forum will also include additional stops in Gemona del Friuli, which will host a closing stage later in the year focused on sport as a tool for resilience and community rebuilding. Future editions will expand to Treviso and Belluno.
