UPI4EXPO

UPI4EXPO is a project developed by Unione Parmense degli Industriali (UPI, from now on), arising from the need to have a model faithfully, concisely and effectively representing those companies that are members of UPI during the Expo 2015, putting into the limelight the hallmarks of Parma's economic fabric: Excellence, Innovation and Tradition.

Parma and its territory are a brand recognized worldwide. The high value of its products and the services of its companies, as well as the constant research for quality they implement in their day-to-day activity, have created a wealth of unique products, both in Italy and in the rest of the world, generating a virtuous circle that has brought benefits to the entire territory. Some tangible examples of this are the many prizes that its companies continue to be awarded in the international arena, as well as the good quality of life characterizing this province.

Parma and its territory are a model of good industry and excellent services, also because of the continuous research, innovation and training, something happening both inside and outside its companies. These elements, themselves distinctive of the best businesses the world over, need to be exposed to the widest possible audience, especially during Expo 2015 so that "Feeding the Planet" may not remain just a declaration of intent, but rather become an achievable goal through research and development.

Parma and its territory are strongly linked to the tradition their products and processes. Such a healthy "tree" has strong "roots" sinking in the history of companies, people and a whole region always involved in industry and in the creation of value and wealth. In such a context, innovation does not mean forgetting or denying the past, but rather strengthen it and update it to be up to the challenge of a changing world. Expo 2015 wants to inform and educate its visitors on these values, and Parma has much to tell on the matter.

UPI4EXPO wants to be a method to communicate this heritage, itself still partially unexpressed, enhance the brand of Parma and of its surrounding area, while offering new opportunities to show how companies can create wealth in so virtuous a way. UPI4EXPO exchanges information through an official standard, namely protocol E015, set up and defined by EXPO2015, Politecnico di Milano and Cefriel.

UPI4EXPO is a showcase of excellence, where the companies associated to the UPI are presented under a uniform standard, while maintaining the distinctive features of each company.
The real challenge of today is in fact to understand what kind of information is relevant and how it can be provided in the most simple and direct way. The effectiveness of the UPI4EXPO project is focused in this aspect: to ensure immediate contact between companies and their territory with interested stakeholders, then provide the essential information clearly, through an intuitive and simple user-friendly interface.
Using UPI4EXPO, Expo visitors can implement a search by sector of activity of any given Parma-based company, or through more specific elements. The search returns those companies linked to the specific sector or element characterizing the search query, presenting the essential information and location of the searched company or companies in a few lines, so as to present their main features and contact information in a simple and straightforward, in order for stakeholders or interested actors to learn more about them or create business opportunities.
There is also something more. UPI4EXPO is not configured to be born and die within the confines of Expo 2015 but after the conclusion of Expo 2015, it will continue to be an open link with those the business excellences of Parma's area, proudly and continuous represented by UPI since 70 years and onwards.