The 2026 edition of the Veneto Festival runs from 25 May to 20 September and features a rich programme inspired by the theme “Music, art and architecture from Veneto to the world”. This phrase captures the spirit of the festival: a musical journey starting in Padua and reaching some of the most significant artistic and cultural venues in Italy and Europe, from the Auditorium Pollini to the Basilica of Saint Anthony, from the Teatro Olimpico in Vicenza to the Sale Apollinee at Teatro La Fenice in Venice, as well as Pirano, Rimini and Constanța.

The programme includes twenty concerts, ranging from Baroque and Classical music to the twentieth century, alongside special projects that bring together music, theatre, memory and architecture. Highlights include the opening concert in Padua with Lilly Jørstad, the tribute to the 80th anniversary of the Italian Republic at the Teatro Olimpico in Vicenza, the three modern-day premiere performances of Baldassare Galuppi’s Mundi Salus, the “Musica degenerata” concert at La Fenice and “Grammelot musicale”, marking the centenary of Dario Fo’s birth.

The cultural significance of the Festival is further strengthened by the history of I Solisti Veneti, the orchestra founded in 1959 by Claudio Scimone and now led by Giuliano Carella. Over more than 65 years of activity, the ensemble has brought the music of Veneto to over 90 countries, performing more than 6,000 concerts, recording over 350 albums, CDs and DVDs, and receiving major international awards, including a Grammy Award in Los Angeles.

For Verlingue, supporting this initiative means embracing a shared vision: protecting the future is not only about helping companies, professionals and social organisations manage risk, but also about preserving the cultural heritage that gives communities their identity. For over forty years, Verlingue has supported businesses and organisations by developing tailored insurance solutions. Its sponsorship of the Veneto Festival is part of this same approach, strengthening the connection between business, culture and social responsibility.

What does an insurance agent do? 
An insurance agent represents one or more insurance companies. Their role is to distribute the insurance products of the insurers with which they have a mandate, helping clients choose from the solutions available within that specific range.
This model can be effective when the insurance requirement is clear, limited in scope and aligned with the offering of the insurer represented. An agent has in-depth knowledge of the products provided by their principal and can support the client during policy placement and management.
For a business with more complex risks, however, the limitation lies in the market perspective. The analysis tends to focus on the solutions offered by the represented insurers, rather than on the wider insurance market.

What does an insurance broker do? 
An insurance broker acts on behalf of the client. Their role is to analyse risks, identify insurance needs, compare solutions available across the market and negotiate with insurers to secure the most suitable terms.
For a company, this means working with an adviser whose starting point is not the product, but the risk profile. That difference is significant. A manufacturing business, a service company, an international group or a public body does not simply need to “buy a policy”: it needs to understand which exposures should be transferred to the insurance market, which should be retained, and which should be mitigated through organisational, contractual or technical measures.

Mandate, client interest and advisory role 
The main difference between a broker and an agent lies in whose interest the intermediary represents.
In summary:
- an agent acts in the name of, or on behalf of, one or more insurance companies;
- a broker acts on the client’s instructions;
- an agent offers solutions linked to the mandate received from insurers;
- a broker searches the market for cover that best matches the client’s needs;
- both are regulated intermediaries and must be registered with the RUI.
The Single Register of Intermediaries is publicly accessible and allows clients to verify whether an individual or firm is authorised to carry out insurance distribution activities in Italy.

Why a broker is strategic for corporate risk management 
For businesses, the choice between a broker and an agent should not be based solely on the cost of the policy. Premium is an important factor, but it is not the whole picture. Cover that is not aligned with the company’s actual risk profile may lead to gaps, overlooked exclusions, insufficient limits or overlapping policies.
This is where the broker plays a key role: assessing the risk before assessing the policy. A broker can support the company in analysing exposures relating to civil liability, cyber risk, property, D&O, fleets, transport, credit, employee benefits and international programmes. The value lies not only in comparing offers, but in building an integrated insurance strategy.

Verlingue: insurance advisory services for businesses 
In a market where risks are evolving rapidly, from cyber security to business continuity, from directors’ liability to asset protection, the broker’s role is becoming increasingly advisory.
Verlingue is an Italian insurance broker and part of international insurance broking group Verlingue, a company of the Adelaïde Group. It supports businesses through risk management and risk assessment services, developing tailored insurance programmes to meet their specific needs. The objective is to help companies make more informed decisions, turning insurance from a simple requirement into a tool for protection, stability and growth.

The partnership reflects Verlingue’s strong ties with the Brescia area and with the organisations that contribute to its social and community life. Volleyball embodies values such as teamwork, preparation, responsibility and long-term commitment, which are equally relevant in professional and business environments.

At the end of the season, Atlantide Pallavolo Brescia presented Verlingue with a commemorative shirt as a gesture of thanks and recognition for the support provided.

The statuette is a token of appreciation awarded to companies that support the Foundation’s work and the projects developed by young people within the Enactus network, with the aim of generating a positive social and environmental impact.

The presentation reinforces the value of the partnership between Verlingue and Enactus Italia and reflects their shared commitment to nurturing the talent of younger generations, helping them turn today’s challenges into opportunities for development and innovation.

Designed to be displayed in the company’s premises, the “Enactus statuette” symbolically conveys to employees and visitors Verlingue’s decision to support initiatives that bring together skills, entrepreneurship and responsibility towards the wider community.

The growing integration of ERP systems, connected machinery, cloud platforms and supply chain networks has made cyber security a core element of business continuity. In this context, cyber risk is no longer just an IT issue: it is an operational, financial and reputational risk.

Ransomware, credential theft, phishing, software vulnerabilities and supply chain attacks are now concrete threats for businesses of every size. According to ENISA, ransomware, supply chain attacks and phishing remain among the main concerns for European organisations, with SMEs still showing uneven levels of preparedness. The Verizon Data Breach Investigations Report also highlights the central role of ransomware in cyber breaches, particularly within industrial sectors.

The first step: identifying critical assets

Effective cyber risk management starts with understanding what needs to be protected. Manufacturing SMEs should begin with a clear mapping of their critical assets: management systems, connected machinery, customer databases, orders, technical drawings, access credentials, backups, IT suppliers and cloud services.

Practical measures to reduce exposure

Managing cyber risk requires a structured approach based on prevention, monitoring and response capability. Key priorities for manufacturing SMEs include:

- regularly updating software, systems and industrial devices;
- securing access through multi-factor authentication;
- separating IT and OT networks wherever possible;
- training employees to recognise fraudulent emails and phishing attempts;
- implementing frequent, isolated and tested backups;
- establishing an incident response plan;
- assessing the cyber exposure of critical suppliers.

Technology alone is not enough. Governance is equally important: who makes decisions during an attack? Who communicates with customers, suppliers, legal advisers, IT specialists and insurers? How long can production remain offline before the damage becomes critical?

Answering these questions in advance helps reduce downtime, financial losses and reputational impact.

The role of cyber insurance

Within this framework, cyber insurance can play a role, provided it forms part of a broader risk management strategy.

An appropriate policy can support businesses in the event of:

- business interruption;
- system recovery costs;
- crisis management;
- third-party liability;
- data breaches;
- specialist incident response services during the critical first hours after an attack.
For this reason, companies should look beyond premiums and policy limits alone. Deductibles, exclusions, incident response services, minimum security requirements and alignment between coverage and actual business exposure all deserve careful assessment.

Protecting the ability to operate

For manufacturing SMEs, cyber risk should not be treated solely as a technical issue delegated to the IT department. It is a business-critical operational risk.

Addressing it effectively means protecting not only data, but also the company’s ability to manufacture, deliver and maintain market trust. In a sector where continuity, reliability and responsiveness are essential competitive factors, cyber risk management has become an integral part of industrial strategy.

Insurance broking: specialisation and new models 
One of the key themes to emerge was the evolution of insurance broking towards increasingly specialised models, able to combine technical expertise, underwriting capability, technology and in-depth risk knowledge.
In this context, the broker’s role is no longer limited to placing insurance solutions. Brokers are increasingly called upon to help companies understand more complex risks, design appropriate insurance programmes and identify solutions that are aligned with market developments.
The WIN Convention 2026 highlighted how the evolution of the sector requires greater integration between insurance expertise, data, digital processes and analytical capabilities.

MGAs: a model to watch 
Among the topics discussed, particular attention was given to the role of Managing General Agents, known as MGAs, and to the use of captive insurance structures.
Under the traditional model, an MGA distributes and underwrites policies on behalf of an insurance company, usually assuming only a limited share of the risk. Integration with a captive changes this structure, allowing the organisation to participate more directly in the underwritten risk and in the technical performance of the portfolio.
In some cases, the model involves the use of a fronting carrier, which issues the policies and transfers part of the risk to the captive through reinsurance. This structure can offer greater flexibility in the design of insurance products, particularly in niche or highly complex markets.
At the same time, it is a model that requires careful consideration from a regulatory, capital and actuarial perspective. Direct participation in risk requires robust underwriting standards, appropriate control processes and a structured approach to compliance.

Technology, AI and insurance process management 
The transformation of the insurance market is also being driven by technological innovation. During the WIN Convention 2026, participants discussed the potential impact of artificial intelligence on insurance processes, with particular focus on opportunities to improve efficiency, data analysis and operational support.
For brokers, technology is becoming an increasingly important factor in information management, risk assessment and dialogue with insurers and clients. However, the adoption of digital tools must be supported by strong technical expertise and clear process governance.

M&A, leadership and integration 
Another key topic was the impact of M&A activity on the broking sector. Acquisitions and integration processes can expand expertise, geographical presence and service capabilities, but they also require appropriate leadership models and careful management of organisational integration.
In this context, the ability to lead change becomes a central factor. Processes, people, technologies and corporate cultures must be coordinated consistently in order to generate value and preserve service quality.

The event brought together some of the leading international insurance brokers, including AON, Marsh, WTW, Howden, Edge, Lockton and Wide, creating a valuable forum for exchanging insights and sharing best practices in the management of multinational insurance programmes.

Over the two-day programme, participants explored a range of topics shaping the international corporate insurance market. Through interactive sessions and technical discussions, attendees examined the key features of multinational programmes, the ongoing development of Zurich’s digital capabilities through the MyZurich platform, and the importance of a strong international network in delivering coordinated solutions that comply with local regulatory requirements.

Particular attention was also given to Captive Fronting solutions and to the growing importance of business resilience, with dedicated discussions on the impact of climate change and the increasing sustainability expectations facing organisations worldwide.

Beyond the technical content, the Academy provided an excellent opportunity to connect with professionals from different markets and business environments, reinforcing the value of collaboration between insurers and brokers in developing effective solutions for companies operating across multiple countries.

Participation in initiatives of this calibre reflects Verlingue’s ongoing commitment to maintaining the highest standards of expertise and professional development. By continuously investing in knowledge and international best practice, Verlingue aims to support Italian businesses in managing their insurance and risk management needs on a global scale.

To explore these challenges, Verlingue will participate in the webinar "Cyber Risk: How to protect your business, data and operational continuity from emerging digital threats", organised by Apindustria Mantova and Confimi Mantova.

The online event will take place on Wednesday 24 June 2026, from 2.30 pm to 3.30 pm. Among the speakers will be Maurizio Zucaro from Verlingue, alongside Simone Galbiati and Gianmarco Luiso from Chubb.

The webinar will provide a practical overview of today's most significant cyber threats and the potential financial and operational consequences of a cyber incident. Key topics will include:

- the growing cyber risks associated with digital transformation;
- the main protections offered by cyber insurance policies;
- the factors that influence insurance premiums;
- how to select the most appropriate level of cover for a business.
The discussion will also highlight the importance of risk assessment, preventive measures and a careful evaluation of policy limits, deductibles and exclusions.

In an increasingly connected business environment, cyber risk management is no longer just an IT issue. It is a strategic element in protecting data, operations and corporate reputation. Through its participation in this initiative, Verlingue reaffirms its commitment to helping businesses strengthen their resilience and develop a more informed approach to risk management.

Registration is now open: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSc-k3qUs6EwutnX5mijeH1IPnn6U8ZnGsur-aDVzYg1pHWAuQ/viewform?usp=header