PMI DAY is the National Day of Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises promoted by Confindustria.
Since 2010, it has opened the doors of Italian companies to students and teachers. Its goal is to bring younger generations closer to the world of business, its values, and its career opportunities through direct, hands-on experiences inside companies.
During this day, students have the opportunity to visit an Italian SME, learn about its history and goals directly from entrepreneurs, and observe how a real production activity is created and developed. It is a practical career orientation experience designed to build a strong connection between schools and the business world.
PMI DAY is made possible through collaboration between companies, schools, and institutions, engaging hundreds of businesses and thousands of students every year across different areas of the United States. Visits may also include local officials and journalists, helping strengthen the relationship between business communities and local territories.
In the U.S., the initiative is supported by the Miami Scientific Italian Community, in collaboration with ABROAD TO – the network of Italian companies abroad, the California Scientific Italian Community, the Consular-Diplomatic Network participating in the initiative, RetImpresa (Confindustria’s agency for business networks and aggregations), and ODLI (Organization for the Development of Italian Studies), which coordinate the organization and partner selection.
The next edition will take place on November 20, in conjunction with Confindustria’s Business Culture Week. The initiative is also part of the European SME Week promoted by the European Commission.
The theme of PMI DAY 2026 is “Growing.”
Growing is not just about becoming bigger. For young people, it means building their identity and learning to make informed decisions about their future, while developing their talents and skills. It is a journey where education and competencies become tools to turn passions and goals into future careers. For businesses, growth is part of their DNA. Today, it means facing the challenges of digital technologies and sustainability while engaging with global markets without losing connection to local communities. It is a continuous learning process that keeps people at the center.
For both students and companies, curiosity, investment in knowledge, and the courage to embrace change are the keys to meeting the challenge of growth and becoming active contributors to development.
Through PMI DAY, we have built a bridge between schools and businesses. We intend to keep crossing it together.
Gianni Tardini, Coordinator of PMI DAY Worldwide
