Meet the CPHI Milan event team:

Bojena: "Hi! I’m Bo, Marketing Executive for CPHI Milan. I have been working on Milan for the past 4 exciting months and am based in our London office. In my spare time I like to nerd out on films – especially Star Wars! And read as much as possible. When I’m not engrossed in a book, you’ll find me spending time with my dog!"

Kershia: "Hi! I'm Kershia, Senior Marketing Executive for CPHI Milan. Three years ago, I packed my bags and made the Netherlands my new home. I love to cook and try out new recipes; it's my stress buster. Fun fact: I've been on a very popular reality TV show. Come find me and I'll tell you all about it!" 

Alexis: "Hi, I’m Alexis, Marketing Manager for CPHI Milan. I’m originally from Mexico, work from our Amsterdam office, and have lived in four different countries. 

I’m a big sports person and love a good challenge. Whether it’s a marathon, Hyrox or an Ironman 70.3, I’m usually signing up for something that pushes me a little further!"

CPHI Milan is just around the corner. What are you most excited about for the 2026 edition of pharma's largest networking event? 

Alexis: "After months of planning and preparation, what excites us most about CPHI Milan 2026 is seeing everything come together in that incredible moment when the doors open and attendees flood the halls. We've worked tirelessly to create an experience that goes beyond a trade show. What really gets us buzzing is knowing we're facilitating the human connections that happen on the show floor, the startup that finds its first major investor, the researcher who discovers the perfect manufacturing partner, or the spontaneous conversation that sparks the next pharmaceutical breakthrough. There's this electric energy at CPHI Milan that you just can't replicate anywhere else, we can't wait to witness the magic unfold and see our pharma community come alive in Milan once again!"

For someone who has never been to a CPHI, what advice would you give them to make the most of their time here?

Bojena: "Your first CPHI Milan can be a little overwhelming! Luckily, we have put together a helpful guide for first time visitors which you can access here. To make the most of your time with us, get our Event Planner app to help you schedule meetings before you get onsite, build your agenda and identify exhibitors you want to meet. And don’t forget comfortable shoes!"

What are the new features we should be looking out for this year? 

Kershia: "We believe the most powerful innovations happen when we come together, this year we bring you a whole host of new networking events designed to facilitate the connections and conversations driving the future of pharma. Experiences such as our exclusive Duomo after-hours tour and organ concert and Leadership Summit are features to look out for."

I heard we’ve added new zones, what can you tell me about them? 

Kershia: "Exciting news! This year we are adding 4 new zones. These span from AI & Tech to Cold Chain & Logistics, plus, Labelling and Contamination Control. These specialist zones bring together cutting-edge technologies and expertise to help you tackle digital transformation, regulatory challenges, and supply chain complexities."

Famously, CPHI is big, but just how big is it in square metres? 

Bojena: "345,000 square metres, comfy shoes are a must!"

What kind of numbers are we expecting for attendees, exhibitors, etc.? 

Alexis: "The numbers for CPHI Milan are honestly pretty impressive! This year we are expecting to welcome 62k attendees and 2,900+ Exhibiting companies, it’s set to be our biggest CPHI Milan to date. Alongside the attendees and exhibiting companies, we will also be hosting 250+ Expert speakers and 130+ Content sessions, bringing you insights from across the globe. CPHI Milan brings everyone together to form a gathering like no other, though the numbers are incredible, it’s about the energy and conversations happening in every corner. Those “aha!” moments that spark the next breakthrough!"

There are four different passes for this year’s show. Why do we offer so many ticket types, and what are the advantages of each? 

Alexis: "We offer four pass types because every attendee has different goals! The Standard Pass gets you in to explore suppliers and content. Explorer Pass adds early access and networking perks. Leader Pass delivers VIP treatment with fast-track entry and premium lounges. Networking Leader Pass is the ultimate experience, think concierge service, facilitated connections, and exclusive events. Choose what matches your networking ambitions!"

Sustainability is such a huge topic for everyone. What does CPHI have planned to address this important aspect of our industry? 

Bojena: "Sustainability is front and centre at CPHI Milan, we're hosting a dedicated Sustainability Summit, a two-day collaborative platform bringing together pharma professionals committed to sustainable transformation. Through 20+ roundtables and interactive discussions, industry experts lead action-oriented sessions focused on real problem solving. It's where sustainability stakeholders and decision makers will connect for meaningful dialogue and strategic alignment."

Milan is, of course, an historic city with a great reputation for art, fashion, and food. If our community has time to explore downtown, where should they eat, and what’s a must-do tourist activity? 

Kershia: "To make the most out of your stay in the stunning city of Milan head over to our plan your visit page for insider travel tips and essential logistics. But here's our advice: carve out some time to wander through Milan's iconic treasures like the breathtaking Duomo (seriously, those Gothic spires are something else), get lost in the elegant glass-vaulted Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, or step back in time at the exquisite Villa Necchi Campiglio. An evening stroll through Milan's charming streets might just be the perfect way to decompress after an exhilarating day on the show floor!"

When the show wraps up, I imagine you’ll get straight to work on CPHI Frankfurt for 2027. Can you already share any insights or tips about next year’s show? 

Kershia: "You know us too well, we're already deep in planning mode for CPHI Frankfurt 2027! While it might seem far off, the truth is that creating an event of this magnitude requires us to stay way ahead of the curve."

A few early tips for 2027: 

Bojena: "Book early – seriously, exhibitor space is filling up faster than ever, and prime locations go quickly!  

Start planning your content strategy now – if you're interested in speaking or hosting sessions, get your proposals in early.

Think about your networking goals – Frankfurt attracts a slightly different crowd than Milan, with strong representation from Northern Europe and North America." 

Is there anything else you’d like to mention? 

Alexis: "Absolutely! Just a few final thoughts, don't underestimate the power of those spontaneous conversations that happen at happy hours or over coffee, because some of the best partnerships are born in those unplanned moments. Make sure to download the event app before you arrive so you can navigate the 2,900+ exhibitors strategically (and trust us, bring comfortable shoes, you'll be covering serious ground!)."

"While it's smart to have your must-see list ready, keep an open mind and explore beyond your usual focus areas, because the cross pollination of ideas across different pharma sectors is often where the real magic happens."