GW News: Ms Horn, how sure are you that glasstec 2022 will really take place as an in-person event?
Birgit Horn: As can be seen everywhere in Germany at the moment, the trade fair sector is in the process of restarting. After a break of just under half a year, life is now returning to the Düsseldorf exhibition centre - with a tightly packed trade fair calendar. One highlight will be glasstec from 20 to 23 September. The legal framework conditions, which correspond as far as possible to the situation before the pandemic, will ensure a smooth start to the trade fair. In order to offer all participants additional protection, we will also voluntarily adhere to hygiene and infection protection measures. After a long pandemic period, we are now looking forward to the upcoming events. We are again creating presentation and networking platforms in the proven form to facilitate successful business.
GW News: What is the latest on exhibitor numbers?
Horn: We are on a good path as far as registration numbers are concerned. We will certainly not reach the best level of 2018 in autumn, but we cannot even realise this expectation due to the pandemic. As always, trade fairs remain a reflection of the market. In 2022, glasstec will fully represent the entire glass value chain and the global spectrum.
GW News: What are the main topics glasstec will focus on in September?
Horn: In terms of content, glasstec 2022 will focus on five trend themes that experts from the industry have identified as the current global challenges. Dealing with these challenges is also crucial for our society and for the further development of the entire glass industry. The topics are dedicated to the central question: "What contribution can the glass industry make to mastering these global challenges". You will encounter these themes again and again at the fair. Be it at the exhibitors' stands, in the conferences or at our special shows. And these topics are:
- Climate change
- Resource efficiency
- Urbanisation
- Sustainable value creation
- Well Being, i.e. the general contribution that glass can make to improving people's quality of life.
As the leading trade fair for the glass industry, however, we not only aim to set the right themes to position ourselves for a successful future. What makes us number one is the wide range of technologies and solutions with which the entire value chain of the glass industry presents itself at glasstec. The conference programme offers an additional information advantage.
GW News: Please say something about the type of event, will there also be a hybrid part? And how is the trade fair organised with regard to safety, distance between visitors and exhibitors, etc.?
Horn: glasstec 2022 will be extended digitally: through offers such as streaming and online exhibitor profiles, people will also be able to participate without physically being on site. And our exhibitors will reach more potential customers. This combination of a presence trade fair and digital elements creates the greatest benefit for everyone and consolidates glasstec's leading position as the central communication and information platform for the industry.
Read as well: What has flat glass done for protecting the environment?
The following applies to the presence event - as things stand at present, it can take place without the Corona restrictions of the past two years. For example, the 3-G access restrictions, the distance rule and strict specifications for stand construction will no longer apply. However, such measures can be used again if the state of NRW determines a localised, threatening infection situation. Our hygiene measures that go beyond this create additional protection and the powerful air filters and ventilation systems in the halls and the extensive grounds also reduce the risk of infection to a minimum.
GW News: In previous years, exhibitors often had very large machines and systems on display on their stands. Will this be the case again this time or will there be more digital presentations on the stands?
Horn: The exhibitors are looking forward to being able to use the infrastructure of Messe Düsseldorf to once again present their machinery and equipment live to an international audience.
