Around 1,000 delegates from the global science centre and museums community have gathered at MUSE in Trento, Italy, for the Annual Ecsite Conference, which started yesterday (Thursday).

Over the course of three-day conference at the Renzo Piano-designed science museum, 350 speakers from 50 countries will be sharing their knowledge and experiences with their peers.

Incumbent Ecsite president Rosalia Vargas said: "The conference is a showcase for the growing importance of museums and science centres in facilitating debate on themes of critical societal importance and creating an environment that fosters informed, evidence-based decision making and action."

On Wednesday, the Ecsite Annual General Conference announced the election of the organisation's incoming president, Michiel Buchel. Buchel is the CEO of NEMO science centre, the largest in the Netherlands. He will serve a two year term, starting at the end of Ecsite 2015.

The conference this year has taken the theme: "Food for Curious Minds." It began earlier in the week with pre-conference workshops, also held at MUSE, and the event is accompanied by a trade show – the Business Bistro – with almost 60 exhibitors.

Topics up for debate at this year's Annual Conference range from corporate partnerships and travelling exhibitions, to audience development and interaction, visitor tracking, gaming and the popularity of the Maker Faire.