Play Trade returns: the new B2B event for the games industry
From April 13 to 16, 2026, for the Bologna Children’s Book Fair, Play Trade returns the project by Play Festival del Gioco dedicated to professionals working in the games industry.
Play Trade builds on the experience of the Play team with a clear goal: to highlight board games as cultural products, distinguishing them from toys and recognizing their educational, narrative, and artistic value.
It is a unique B2B event in Italy, designed to connect key players in the gaming world: publishers, buyers, retailers, game designers, and creative professionals.
A bridge between publishing and games
Hosted within the Bologna Children’s Book Fair 2026, Play Trade serves as a true meeting point between children’s publishing and the world of analog games.
During the event, publishing professionals will have access to a dedicated space to:
- present new catalog releases
- explore market trends
- deepen sales and distribution strategies
- share the creative process behind board games and role-playing games
A structured area enriched with training content and networking opportunities, designed to generate concrete business opportunities and foster new collaborations.
Play Trade events are:
International Kids Licensing & Media Days
Licensing Conference Room, Hall 29 – Mall 2, Bologna Licensing Trade Fair/Kids
Monday, April 13 at 3:25 PM
Heroes in Bookstores: Role-Playing Games as a Driver for Reading and Sales
Speaker: Matteo Pedroni, Marketing Manager, NEED GAMES!, Italy
Monday, April 13 at 4:00 PM
The Success of Investigative Games: How to Sell Them in Bookstores Today
Moderated by Andrea Mazzolani, Editorial Director, Magic Store Srl – MS Edizioni, Italy
Speakers: Silvia Fossati, Digital Content Creator, Escilgioco, Italy; Stefano Stievano, Author and Content Creator, House of Games, Italy
Tuesday, April 14 at 12:40 PM
Board Games and Licensing: Games as a Lever for IPs
Speakers: Andrea Chiarvesio, Designer and Co-Founder, Try a Game Srl, Italy; Silvio Negri Clementi, CEO, Pendragon Game Studio, Italy; Luca Cattini, Country Manager, Asmodee Italia, Italy; Massimo Bianchini, Country Manager, Asmodee Italia, Italy
