Dezeen promotion: Bathroom furnishing and surfaces expo Cersaie returns to Bologna this September, offering the chance for visitors to meet designers, contractors and retailers in the industry.

Described as "the foremost international event for ceramic, other surface coverings and bathroom furnishings", Cersaie attracts key industry players from around the world.

It runs from 23 to 27 September in a 161,000 metre-square Fiera di Bologna exhibition space in the central Italian city of Bologna.

Last year the exhibition attracted more than 111,000 visitors, with almost half of these coming from outside Italy, and many from Europe and Asia.

Attendees were able to view the collections of more than 800 exhibitors, with the same number expected to show their latest products this year.

"Each year, architects, designers, contractors, retailers and Italian and international exhibitors converge on the exhibition to get up to speed with the latest developments in the industry while building high-level professional relationships and exploring the innovative products and projects showcased by leading Italian and international companies," said the event organisers.

Products on show include ceramic tiles, other non-ceramic wall and floor coverings, and a broad range of bathroom furnishings, as well as materials and tools for installation, showroom mock-ups and technical services.

Four newly built halls will host a wellness salon with large meeting space flooded with natural light.

The exhibition will be bolstered by a cultural programme, including the Building Dwelling Thinking series of architectural meetings with a keynote speech by Chilean architect Felipe Assadi and other unannounced speakers.

Cersaie Business missions for international architects will take place during the exhibition, as well as the opportunity to meet with magazine publishers at design and lifestyle meetings in the Press Cafes.

For the more practically minded, Tiling Town, a training space that will host demonstrations of how to become a master tile layer. Special attention will be paid to the host nation's expertise in ceramic surfaces with the Italian Style thematic shows.

The exhibition coincides with Bologna Design Week that takes place from 23 to 28 September, with more than 200 events across the city.

Cersaie runs at Fiera di Bologna from 23 to 27 September. Free registration is available on Cersaie's website.