On April 14, 2025, the AIA Seminar entitled “Good music inside and outside public entertainment venues and outdoors” was held in Catania, at the Aula Magna “Oliveri” of the University of Catania, promoted by the Acoustical Society of Italy (AIA) and the Department of Electrical, Electronic and Computer Engineering (DIEEI) of the University of Catania. The organization was curated by Gaetano Licitra, Lucilla Aiello, Gianpiero Evola and Antonio Gagliano, with the patronage of the Italian Association of Industrial Hygienists (AIDII) and ASSOACUSTICI.

The Seminar covered the latest innovations in the soundproofing and soundproofing of venues intended for public entertainment and areas that host noisy activities of various kinds, analyzing the initiatives of local authorities and the resulting control activities. Numerous national experts of various geographical origins and professional skills, ranging from research centers to companies and freelancers, intervened to share knowledge and experiences, exploring operational solutions and discussing disputes that arise from poor planning and management of venues and events that generate noise emissions into the surrounding environment.

The morning session was introduced by institutional greetings and coordinated by Gaetano Licitra, director of ARPA Toscana. Jacopo Fogola (ARPA Piemonte) and Dr. Francesca Neri (Municipality of Catania) illustrated the experiences and authorization and control activities implemented in the cities of Turin and Catania; then, Prof. Antonio Gagliano (University of Catania) presented some research experiences related to acoustic modeling and noise mitigation in nightlife areas. Finally, Lucilla Aiello (Freelance Professional, Acoustics Specialist) and Sergio Luzzi (President of AIDII) discussed the role of the Technical Consultant in legal disputes, and the most recent regulatory updates related to this figure.

In the afternoon, the second session was coordinated by Prof. Antonio Gagliano. The first speech by Prof. Gianpiero Evola (University of Catania) illustrated the current legal requirements and the related verification procedures for noise in public entertainment venues, followed by Sergio Luzzi (President of AIDII), Roberto Bianucci (President of Assoacustici) and Basilio Mangano (Freelance Professional, Acoustics Specialist) who presented case studies and possible technical solutions for the mitigation of the disturbance produced by sound diffusion systems in restaurants and indoor and outdoor venues. In the last speech, Andrea Cicero (Freelance Professional, Acoustics Specialist) spoke about the calibration of electroacoustic systems in venues, presenting practical applications.

The event concluded with a lively debate involving the numerous participants.

Two of the AIA Supporters for 2025 participated in the event: AESSE Ambiente and Svantek Italia. Three exhibiting companies contributed to the event with their stands: among them two local companies (REDSOUND and Innorec srl), in addition to AESSE Ambiente.

A special thanks to all those who made this event possible, from the conception to the successful realization. The collaboration of all the figures involved has demonstrated that AIA events are able to combine scientific and professional interest, providing a stimulating but at the same time friendly environment for Competent Technicians and for all those who intend to increase their skills in Acoustics.