2026 Family Businesses in Italy Trek

Register

During spring break 2026 (March 28– April 4), the Smith Family Business will be leading a student trek to Verona and Parma to explore many significant family businesses, Italian history, and culture.
 

Registration opens for Residential MBAs only: January 16th at 9 am
General Registration opens: January 19th at 9 am
Registration closes: Monday, January 26th, by 5 pm

Why Italy?
In Italy, there are estimated to be around 784,000 family businesses – more than 85% of the total number of businesses – constituting around 70% of employment. Italian family businesses are also set apart by their longevity: of the world's 100 oldest businesses, 15 are Italian and, of these, 5 – Fonderie Pontificie Marinelli (founded in 1000), Barone Ricasoli (1141), Barovier & Toso (1295), Torrini (1369) and Marchesi Antinori (1385) – are among the top ten oldest family businesses still active today. Source: http://www.aidaf.it/en/aidaf-3/1650-2/.

Dates
• Saturday, March 28-Saturday, April 4, 2025

Transportation
• Participants will be responsible for their departing and returning transportation 
• In country, the trek will coordinate all transportation
 

Lodging
• Saturday, March 28 – Saturday, April 4 currently included (7 nights)

Meals
• Some meals are included

Approximate cost
• $3,600 USD, excluding your own arrival and departure travel – details still being finalized
PLEASE NOTE: The trek fee covers essential travel expenses, including hotels, buses, and arrangements made through our travel agency. Due to the nature of these prearranged commitments, we are unable to guarantee refunds if you decide to drop out of the course. However, we understand that circumstances can vary, and we are committed to reviewing individual cases on a case-by-case basis.
 

Matthew Unger Fellowship for Experiential Learning:
Due to an unforeseen donor issue, we are pausing the Fellowship program this year. Please contact Susan Hu at yh789@cornell.edu if you have any questions.

Info Session Recording:

Credit
• This is a 1.5 credit course (NBA-5920-FLD-802)

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