Successful Conclusion to Wasser Berlin International 2017
After four days packed with events last friday Wasser Berlin International 2017 (WBI) came to an end. At its conclusion, the trade fair and congress reported satisfied trade visitors, significant numbers of international exhibitors and visitors as well as high participation in the supporting programme of events.
450 exhibitors from 26 countries presented their latest water infrastructure and wastewater technology, products and services on the Berlin Exhibition Grounds.19,273 visitors representing business, politics and science took part in the event.
”International participation in this year’s Wasser Berlin International was very high. The fact that 25 per cent of exhibitors were from abroad and delegations from 20 countries took part showed that the capital is the ideal trade fair venue for global water industry companies. The best example of this was the Iran Conference, which took place for the first time. It represented a successful start to Iran’s future cooperation with Germany, Europe and the world“, said Matthias Steckmann, director at Messe Berlin GmbH and responsible for Wasser Berlin International.
Iran Conference supports economic cooperation
The Iran Conference at Wasser Berlin International set the tone for cross-border cooperation. According to Iran’s Deputy Energy Minister Rahim Meidani, because of the growing challenges of climate change his country had begun a number of water industry projects worth billions. Meidani invited German investors to participate. In addition to prominent political figures from abroad the fair welcomed business delegations from Egypt, Iran, Costa Rica, Ghana, Kenya, Nicaragua, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Croatia, Montenegro, Macedonia, the Netherlands, Lebanon, Iran, Hungary, Russia, China, Japan and Korea.
International trade fair atmosphere
Exhibitors and trade visitors praised the international atmosphere at the fair. Foreign exhibitors and trade visitors were both represented in large numbers. One in four visitors came from abroad. The majority came from Europe, followed by Southeast Asia, the Middle East, Africa and the Americas.
Exhibitors and trade visitors highly satisfied
According to a representative trade visitor survey more than 90 per cent of those polled gave a ’good’ to ’very good’ assessment of Wasser Berlin International. 84.3 per cent of trade visitors were satisfied with their overall results at the fair and more than 10 per cent said they had concluded business deals.
What was significant was that many visitors attended in a decision-making capacity. One in two trade visitors said they had a major influence on their company’s buying and procurement decisions. 87.5 per cent of trade visitors would recommend a visit to Wasser Berlin International to their colleagues and business associates.
Wide-ranging and outstanding supporting programme of events
The Congress, the main event at WBI, and the numerous symposiums were very well received. This applied in particular to the International Ozone Conference and the Membrane Technology Forum, both of which were new supporting events organised by Wasser Berlin International this year. The reactions to the Well Construction Symposium and the German-Dutch Flood Management Symposium were very positive.
The Blue Planet Berlin Water Dialogues, the political platform of WBI which was organised by the German Water Partnership and took place in a packed auditorium, placed the spotlight on efficient wastewater management. The EU Commission, UNESCO and the International Water Association all took part. Speakers included Gunther Adler, permanent secretary to the Federal Ministry of the Environment(BMUB) and Christian Rickerts, permanent secretary to the Berlin Senate Department for Economics, Energy and Public Enterprises.
WASsERLEBEN
This year WASsERLEBEN, the interactive show for the public, once again lived up to its name. Around 6,000 pupils turned Hall 6.2 into Berlin’s biggest and liveliest classroom on the subject of water. Around 40 companies, institutions and schools from the Berlin/Brandenburg region presented themed projects and invited visitors to take part in biological, chemical and physics experiments.
Schaustelle Wasser
Schaustelle Wasser was an equally resounding success. The various excursions to construction sites in the capital gave some 600 trade visitors from all parts of the world a concise overview and unique insight into how well the latest technologies perform. Berliner Wasserbetriebe were the co-organisers of the event.
During the fair numerous exhibitors already registered for stands in 2019. A 15 per cent discount on the stand area is available to those who register by 15 January 2018.
Wasser Berlin International 2019 will take place from 26 to 29 March 2019.
Source: Messe Berlin GmbH
