The 2015 Aquatech Amsterdam exhibition ended with a groundbreaking 25th edition. A total of 856 exhibitors participated in what was a vibrant event, an increase of more than 100 compared to the previous edition in 2013. Numerous new features on the show floor and insightful sessions focused in particular on innovation and industrial water use added to the experience of visitors throughout the week. With a visitor attendance of 18,411* from 139 countries, Aquatech Amsterdam once again reinforced its place as the world’s leading trade exhibition for process, drinking and wastewater. In addition over 1,100 conference delegates and 4,479 exhibitor staff were present. (*Aquatech visitor and exhibitor statistics are calculated in accordance with the rules of the UFI – the Global Association of the Exhibition Industry and are audited by an independent accountant.)
Marieke Leenhouts, Aquatech Amsterdam Product Manager, commented, “Our aim is always to help businesses move forward and we believe we succeeded in doing so with Aquatech Amsterdam 2015. There was a great reaction to the many new features at the show, and we look forward to building on that success for the next edition in 2017.”
Focus on innovation
One of the new features that generated particularly high interest from visitors was the InnovationLAB, a special area dedicated to highlighting innovation in the sector. One role of this area was to give greater prominence to the winners of the Aquatech Innovation Award, which this year saw the top prize go to Dutch company Salttech for its new DyVaR oil and gas industry zero liquid discharge treatment system for dealing with highly saline wastewaters. Other new features included the Industrial User Experience, with end-user presentations on technology show cases and innovation in the oil & gas industry, the food & beverage industry, the chemical sector and the mining industry, as well as the Aquatech Venture Forum, a special day-long session to bring technology start-up companies together with potential investors and business partners.
A true Water Week
For the wider Amsterdam International Water Week, of which Aquatech Amsterdam is part, 2015 will also be remembered as a success. Some 1,100 international delegates participated in the 50 workshops and sessions of the conference, which had an overall theme of Integrated solutions for a circular economy and resilient cities. Amsterdam IWW also broke new ground by featuring three high-level Leaders Forums, focused respectively on utilities, industry and cities. Annette Bos, Global Domain Manager of the Aquatech portfolio, added, “We are really pleased to see the growing success of the Amsterdam International Water Week, and the interaction between the conference and the exhibition was inspiring in the way it brought together policy, leading thinking and practical solutions to the many water challenges and business opportunities that exist.”
The next edition of Aquatech Amsterdam will be held October 31-November 3, 2017 and over 60 percent of the floor space has already been (re)booked.