The Ticino industrial world is preparing to gather in Lugano for one of the most important association events of the year. On Thursday, May 21, 2026, the Palazzo dei Congressi will host the 64th Ordinary General Assembly of ITI, the Association of Ticino Industries, called to take stock of the economic, production and social challenges that await the sector in the coming years.
The meeting will be divided into two distinct parts. The first part will be reserved for association members and will include the approval of the 2025 financial statements, as well as the presentation of the strategy and lines of action that will guide AITI for the four-year period 2026-2029. The president will outline the future objectives. Nicoletta Casanova, called to outline the association's role in a historical phase characterized by economic transformations, geopolitical tensions and increasingly rapid technological changes.
The public session of the assembly, scheduled for 5:00 PM, will focus on a topic that has gained increasing importance in recent years, both in the business world and in society: "collaboration as a strategic resource for courageously addressing crises, transforming them into corporate and human value."
This topic will be approached from different perspectives, combining healthcare and industry. The panel will feature two guests from different fields, each sharing experience in managing complex situations and leading organizations required to respond quickly to change.
In fact, the speakers include Paul Merlani, FMH specialist in intensive care medicine, medical director of the Lugano Regional Hospital and medical director of the critical care department of theCantonal hospital authorityDuring his career, Merlani was also a member of the National Ethics Commission and is the cantonal representative and member of the foundation board of Swisstransplant, in addition to participating in the relevant ethics commission.
He will speak next to him Nicola Roberto Tettamanti, entrepreneur active in the industrial sector and CEO of Tecnopinz, a Ticino-based company specializing in the production of precision components. Tettamanti also holds the position of president of Swissmechanic, the national association of SMEs in the metalworking and electrical industries, representing approximately 65 jobs in Switzerland.
The goal of the discussion will be to highlight how cooperation between different skills can become a decisive tool not only for addressing emergency situations, but also for strengthening organizational resilience and building new development models.
In recent years, the issue of crisis management has become central to the Swiss and Ticino economic fabric. From the pandemic to the challenges of international supply chains, to energy uncertainties and the evolution of global markets, many companies have found themselves having to rethink their processes, strategies, and internal and external collaboration methods.
In this context, AITI intends to propose a reflection that goes beyond the purely economic dimension, also focusing on human and organizational aspects. The dialogue between the healthcare and industrial sectors therefore presents an opportunity to highlight shared approaches in managing critical situations, improving decision-making capacity, and empowering people.
After the discussion with the guests, the evening's program will continue with the traditional ceremony dedicated to the anniversaries of AITI member companies, a symbolic moment that each year highlights the continuity and deep roots of Ticino's entrepreneurial fabric.
