Giorgio Castagnera

Giorgio Castagnera is the CEO of Herelæb and the founder of DOCA World Exhibitions.

Starting in 1999, he focused on major musicals and live events, featuring global artists like Bruce Springsteen and Paul McCartney, along with large-scale ceremonies such as the Turin 2006 and Rio 2016 Olympics (hereleb.com). In 2009, he shifted toward immersive experiences, presenting prominent shows including BODY WORLDS, Van Gogh Alive, The Art of the Brick, and Game On throughout Italy and Europe.

Castagnera led Gateway to Space in collaboration with the U.S. Space & Rocket Center and later created Life in Space with ESA, featuring space flight simulators, reconstructed orbital stations, and interactive media, touring throughout Europe.

Recently, his leadership in PHENOMENA: The Exhibition—organised by Herelæb and Dala Projects with partners such as AHHAA and Extramuseum—demonstrates his expertise in immersive design.

Covering 5,000–10,000 sq m, the exhibition features large projection galleries, mirror mazes, rotating vortex tunnels, VR explorations of Escher’s universe, and optical illusion displays, such as the Ames Room and Zero Gravity Room. It first opened in Calgary, attracting public and media interest by highlighting scientific curiosity through light effects that produce illusions.

Under Herelæb, Giorgio Castagnera manages end-to-end exhibition production — from conceptualisation and design to fabrication, installation, AV integration, immersive media, VR, video mapping, and lighting. He sets the standard for merging advanced technology with compelling storytelling.

"Giorgio Castagnera doesn’t just produce exhibits—he engineers immersive realities that educate, entertain, and elevate the touring exhibition field," said one nominator.