One of the hallmarks of glasstec is its participants` outstanding willingness to invest

What new features can trade visitors of Glasstec 2018 expect?
The team made a lot forward in the preparation of glasstec 2018 and created new things to make the trade fair experience even more intensive for all those involved. For example, the renewed conference concept comes along with new content and offers an additional benefit for all visitor target groups. All conferences are now bundled under one roof and in one hall under the title “glasstec conference”. Right next to it, you will find the special show “glass technology live”. For the first time since 20 years, it is organized by a university network.

The technical universities of Darmstadt, Delft, Dresden and Dortmund will present “the hub @ glasstec”. The new conceptual team will present the bandwidth of subjects which cuts across industries, showing forward-looking exhibits, new technologies and glass applications. It will showcase solutions in interactive faзades and display glass, energy and performance, structural glass: solid glass and thin glass and of course new technologies.

In the craft sector, we have also launched a new event: the “glasstec challenge”. Apprentices from the 3rd year of training will compete under competitive conditions during the fair and produce various exhibits at the participatory stations.

Hall 10 will house the START-UP-ZONE for the first time. Here young, international companies will be given the opportunity to present their ideas to a high-calibre expert audience, make contacts, start networks and meet a large number of decision-makers who made up 86% of all visitors in 2016. One of the hallmarks of glasstec is its participants’ outstanding willingness to invest. We are very pleased to be able to welcome 16 companies from 10 countries (Norway, Finland, India, Italy, Switzerland, Lituania, Austria, Netherlands, Germany, Taiwan) to the START-UP-ZONE at glasstec 2018.

Which of the events from the supporting programme of the fair do you think will be the most interesting for Bulgarian visitors and why?
Bulgaria certainly has several unique aspects as far glass is concerned but glasstec appeals to everyone who works professionally with glass. There will be an unparalleled supporting program which will bring up all the relevant topics for all target groups and sectors. The technology conference “function meets glass” (at CCD East) will be the kick-off event on the Monday before the start of the trade fair. The conference will focus manufacturing and processing of functional glass and the areas of application.

The Tuesday programme will be all about glass melting and emissions, presented by two partners: the Research Association of the German Glass Industry (HVG-DGG), the Technical Glass Society of Germany (DGG). This year the Federal Association of the German Glass Industry (BV Glas) is devoting itself to the topic of environmental and climate policy in Germany and the EU. Crosslinked production and new technologies will be presented on Wednesday by the German Machinery & Plant Manufacturers’ Association (VDMA).

The new event “Daylight by EuroWindoor” will take place for the first time on Wednesday, too. In terms of content, it deals with news on the basics and planning of daylight use in buildings. Thursday morning will feature the International Architecture Congress, with speakers from prestigious architectural studios presenting their glass projects and designs. This year’s Architecture Congress is entitled “Perspectives - New Architecture with Glass”. The International Architecture Congress (at CCD East) is run by the North Rhine Westphalian Chamber of Architects. Throughout glasstec there will also be an academic conference called “engineered transparency”, with a programme focused entirely on research. On Thursday and Friday, international researchers will be discussing developments in structural glass engineering. You can check out and download the conference programme at www.glasstec-online.com.

glasstec Preview made its debut this year. What benefits did the new networking platform bring to the participants?
glasstec Preview offers the participating companies the opportunity to personally present their company and its news to the trade press. Innovations and new products can thus be included in the pre-reporting of trade magazines even before the trade fair. The great thing about this format is that the exhibitors have enough time to provide professional and in-depth insights. This was also confirmed to us personally. Maintaining contacts is an additional added value for exhibitors and journalists. There is usually not enough time for this at the trade fair itself.