On March 11, 2026, the Oceanographic Museum of Monaco set the stage for a singular gathering as the Offroad Club Monaco unveiled its first international scientific and cultural workshop.
Bringing together over 150 guests — from institutional leaders to world-class athletes and entrepreneurs — the event went far beyond a traditional conference. It offered a space where ideas, experiences and perspectives converged, reflecting Monaco’s role as a true hub of innovation and dialogue. Held under the patronage of the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation , the patronage of the Embassy of Italy in Monaco and the partnership of the Municipality of Monaco, the workshop reinforced the Principality’s position at the crossroads of heritage and forward-thinking vision.
The workshop brought together a prestigious panel of researchers and academics from leading Mediterranean and European institutions, reflecting the international and interdisciplinary scope of the event. Among the institutions represented were Sapienza University of Rome, the École des Hautes Études en Sciences Sociales (EHESS) in Paris, the University of Genoa, the University of Corsica Pasquale Paoli, Université Côte d’Azur, the University of Naples L’Orientale, the Polytechnic University of Turin, the University of Salento, the International University of Monaco, the University of Rome “Foro Italico,” the Botanical Garden of Rome, as well as Link University and Barleti University of Tirana in Albania.
Massimiliano Mordenti, Driving a Broader Vision
At the heart of the initiative, Massimiliano Mordenti, CEO and Cofounder of the Offroad Club Monaco along with his wife Erminia Fezia Mordenti, Cofounder and Project Manager, introduced a vision that connects and shares the social, cultural, and ethical values of Monaco, going far beyond the boundaries of sport. For him, “off-road” is not just a practice, but a mindset — a way to step outside established paths, reconnect disciplines and rethink the relationship between performance, people and the environment. He stated :
“This was a deeply emotional moment for me, seeing the first academic and scientific workshop of the O.C.M. Permanent Academic and Scientific Committee come to life so successfully. An outstanding panel of professors, institutional representatives, entrepreneurs and internationally renowned athletes from all around Europe and Monaco came together to share not only their professional experiences, but also the deeper value of sporting and social activities, which represent an important cultural and human heritage.
I hope this moment of exchange will leave a tangible mark reflecting the authentic values of the Principality of Monaco: its heritage, its social, cultural and sporting commitment, as well as its dedication to environmental sustainability. Through this workshop, the Offroad Club Monaco aims to share these values with the world and with future generations.
Massimiliano Mordenti CEO et cofoudner de l’Offroad Club Monaco, Erminia Fezia Mordenti, cofondatrice et project manager de l’Offroad Club Monaco, Maurizio Setti, Patrizia Ricci.
It was also a great pleasure to share the stage with personalities with whom I share a commitment to cultural, social and sporting initiatives that go beyond the purely professional dimension. A commitment inspired by a vision of the ‘sustainable human being’: a person who cultivates physical, cultural, mental and social well-being, and who through their activities encourages encounters between different cultures while respecting the environment that surrounds them.
M. Georges Marsan, Maire de Monaco, Massimiliano Mordenti, Mordenti CEO et cofoudner de l’Offroad Club Monaco, Mme Marjorie CROVETTO, 2ème Adjointe au Maire, M. Arnaud Alessandria, Skieur alpin monégasque, M. Jacques Pastor, Adjoint aux sports à la Mairie de Monaco.
This approach contributes not only to the protection of nature, but also to the construction of a harmonious coexistence between peoples, guided by the values of peace. Whether on land or at sea, these experiences promote both the physical and mental well-being of individuals and the protection of the ecosystems in which they take place.”
A Dialogue Between Institutions, Athletes and Entrepreneurs
The strength of The Wake of Monaco lay in the diversity of its contributors. Institutional figures such as Georges Marsan, Mayor of Monaco, Thomas Brezzo, President of the National Council of Monaco, and Romain Ciarlet , Vice-President and CEO of the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation , highlighted Monaco’s commitment to sustainability and cultural identity, while athletes including Francesco Castellacci, official Vista AF Corse driver in the FIA World Endurance Championship and ambassador of the Princess Charlene of Monaco Foundation and Maxime Nocher , CEO of Team Monaco, twelve-time kitefoil world champion and E1 Series champion, brought a more personal and experiential perspective. Entrepreneurs such as Guido Giovannelli, General Manager of BPM Exclusive and Matteo Mescolini, CEO of EFG Bank Monaco , added another layer to the discussion, exploring themes of time, value and human connection — echoing a shared desire to bring meaning back into contemporary dynamics.
Guido Giovannelli, CEO of BPM Exclusive, and his team, Massimiliano Mordenti CEO et cofoudner de l’Offroad Club Monaco, Erminia Fezia Mordenti, cofondatrice et project manager de l’Offroad Club Monaco.
A Philosophy Rooted in Monaco
More than an event, The Wake of Monaco emerges as a manifesto — a movement that starts in Monaco, extends beyond its borders, and returns enriched by new perspectives. Blending science, lifestyle and environmental awareness, the initiative embodies a new, more transversal way of thinking — fluid, human and deeply connected. With this first edition, the Offroad Club Monaco sets the tone for a new chapter, positioning Monaco not only as a place of excellence, but as a catalyst for ideas shaping the future.
As Erminia Fezia Mordenti – Co-founder, Offroad Club Monaco & Project Manager , explained:
“The Wake of Monaco is not merely a scientific workshop; it is, above all, an expression of vision. It reflects the philosophy of a wake that begins in Monaco and grows beyond its own boundaries through encounters between peoples, united by shared values and respect for the environment. Inspired by the pioneers of history and their legacy, this journey always returns to Monaco, which for the Offroad Club Monaco represents a home — a place that carries and promotes these values of peace.
Through this workshop, O.C.M. aims to encourage the scientific exploration of themes that are particularly close to our hearts. Our ambition is to trace a path that begins with the history and identity of the Mediterranean and leads toward today’s challenges, including sport, sustainable technology and the broader human dimension.
For the Offroad Club Monaco, Monaco represents both a home and a starting point. It is here that we envision new cultural connections, renewed environmental, social and economic responsibilities, and an international community united by the desire to push beyond its limits while respecting natural balances and common sense.”
“The Offroad Club Monaco was created to chart new paths — not only in sport, but also in reflection and collective responsibility. The wake we aim to leave through The Wake of Monaco represents a concrete commitment to building a new alliance between culture, sporting performance and environmental protection.
We are convinced that the Mediterranean can become a true laboratory for sustainable innovation and international cooperation. As the Offroad Club Monaco, we are ready to turn this vision into action by engaging institutions, universities, communities and entrepreneurs in a project focused on the future, while never forgetting its roots.”
