WASSER BERLIN INTERNATIONAL 2013 Closing Report
Higher attendance – increase in international exhibitors and trade visitors
Exhibitors reported good business at the fair – trade visitors were very satisfied with their participation in the fair.
From 23 to 26 April 2013, over a period of four days, the international water industry gathered at WASSER BERLIN INTERNATIONAL. The most notable aspect of WASSER BERLIN INTERNATIONAL 2013 was the marked rise in international exhibitor and trade visitor numbers. 31,000 visitors representing business, politics and science took part in this year’s event, an increase of 10 per cent. Occupying six display halls and with a focus on water industry topics, WASSER BERLIN INTERNATIONAL demonstrated its wide-ranging expertise to those present. Overall, 631 exhibitors, including 176 from 36 different countries, showcased their latest technologies, products and services on the subject of water supply and wastewater disposal. Attendance by international exhibitors rose from 25 to 28 per cent. International figures were also prominent at the opening event. Those attending included Dirk Niebel, the Federal Minister of Economic Cooperation and Development, Dr. Abdul Qawi Khalifa, the Egyptian Minister of Utilities, Drinking Water and Sewage, and Melanie Schultz van Haegen-Maas Geesteranus, the Dutch Minister of Infrastructure and the Environment.
Dr. Christian Göke , COO Berlin GmbH: “Water represents a global market and requires a global approach. Water industry companies are doing more and more business on the international market and WASSER BERLIN INTERNATIONAL has taken these developments on board. That was underlined at this year’s event and we witnessed a substantial increase in international exhibitors and trade visitors. High-profile politicians from all parts of the world were here and 43 international delegations from important growth markets such as Eastern Europe, Asia and the Arab world came to find out more from the exhibitors at the event. The presence of our partner ACWUA, which represents 17 Arab countries, gave the fair’s international appeal a significant boost.
The WASSER BERLIN INTERNATIONAL 2013 Congress and numerous specialist symposiums were very well received and the international events at the congress were particularly well attended. They included Schaustelle Wasser, which was organised mainly by Berliner Wasserbetriebe and also featured building sites belonging to NBB Netzgesellschaft Berlin/Brandenburg, Vattenfall Europe and Berliner Verkehrsbetriebe (BVG). 633 trade visitors from around the world were able to gain a unique first-hand insight into how well the latest technologies perform.
WASsERLEBEN , the interactive show for the public, was attended by around 10,000 children, young people and adults. Exhibitors and trade visitors were greatly impressed by the activities organised by schoolchildren for their peers and by the 35 institutions whose focus was on the sustainable exploitation of water resources.
Exhibitors and trade visitors satisfied
According to a poll conducted by an independent market research institute, exhibitors reported good business results. 82.6 per cent (2011:77.4) were satisfied with their participation in WASSER BERLIN INTERNATIONAL. 75 per cent (2011: 70.6 ) said they would be back at the next event. 92.5 per cent of the trade visitors polled rated their business results at the fair as “good”.
WASSER BERLIN INTERNATIONAL 2015 will take place from 24 to 27 March 2015.
Comments by exhibitors on WASSER BERLIN INTERNATIONAL 2013:
Khaldon Khashman, Secretary General, Arab Countries Water Utilities Association (ACWUA):
“We were delighted to be the official partner of WASSER BERLIN INTERNATIONAL. More than 80 delegates from Arab countries came to Berlin, including many ministers and CEO’s. A number of very important meetings took place here which discussed future projects.“
Jörg Simon, Chairman of the Board of Berliner Wasserbetriebe and Wasser Berlin e.V.:
“Overall, WASSER BERLIN INTERNATIONAL 2013 left a big impression. There was ultra-modern technology on display. Schaustelle Berlin provided an ideal combination of theory and practice and schoolchildren received an opportunity to take a close look at the water industry.“
Dr.-Ing. Walter Thielen, Chief Executive, DVGW Deutscher Verein des Gas- und Wasserfaches e.V.:
"WASSER BERLIN INTERNATIONAL showcases the capabilities of the German water industry and provides the DVGW as a leading scientific and technical organisation with a forum to discuss current water industry challenges with international experts."
Ehud Danoch, CEO, EMS Mekorot Projects Ltd., Israel:
“This is our first appearance at WASSER BERLIN INTERNATIONAL and we are examining the possibilities for joint ventures with German companies and institutions. From our point of view the fair was very productive. The meetings we had were very constructive and we are delighted to be here.“
Dieter Hofmann, Sales Manager, LIT UV Elektro GmbH:
“The level of international attendance at WASSER BERLIN INTERNATIONAL was much higher than we expected. The number of visitors and decision-makers was high and there were many who came to us with specific projects in mind. The results exceeded our expectations”
Nic Christy, Global Business Development Director, Water Environment Federation, USA
“Most of the five exhibitors on our joint stand were here for the first time and were very satisfied with the meetings they had at WASSER BERLIN INTERNATIONAL. We aim to be back in two years with a larger stand and more exhibitors“
Igor Moiseev, Director, Mempex Ltd., Belarus
“We look forward to meeting many of our neighbours from Poland, Russia and Ukraine. We established many good business contacts. We will be back in two years time“
Annemieke van Zuylen, Project Manager Events, Netherlands Water Partnership (NWP)
“The meetings the exhibitors on our joint stand had were good. We conducted successful business. A key topic was the initiative launched by our minister aimed at intensifying cooperation with Germany.“
Dipl.-Ing. Reiner Bundesmann, Managing Director, DB Sediments GmbH
“The fair was an outstanding opportunity for us to expand our network. We had numerous international visitors, including from Israel, China, India, Korea and the USA.“
Dieter Ernst, Board Member, German Water Partnership (GWP)
“We had a lot of visitors, especially from delegations. The large number of international visitors was particularly satisfying. This will enable WASSER BERLIN INTERNATIONAL to continue to strengthen its image in Berlin.“
Andreas Schweitzer, Sales Manager, Hermann Sewerin GmbH:
“The fair was a huge success, and so too was its concept. The many international trade visitors here took a keen interest in our water leak detection products. In particular, the opening event and subsequent opening tour were a success, during which the ministers Dirk Niebel, Dr. Eng. Dr. Abdul Qawi Khalifa and Melanie Schultz van Haegen-Maas Geesteranus found out about Sewerin’s innovative technology.“
Prof. Jens Hölterhoff, Chairman of the Board, German Society for Trenchless Technology e.V
"Once again, the combination of a trade fair and congress was the right setting, enabling us to hold in-depth discussions with all our relevant audiences. That was not just our opinion. We also received very positive reactions from congress delegates. Another aspect is the increasing level of international participation in WASSER BERLIN INTERNATIONAL. Particularly for our members exhibiting here it opens up a wide range of opportunities for tapping into new and interesting markets abroad. In that respect the reports we had were of successful and good meetings. I am sure this has strengthened the fair’s standing as an event with a key focus on water industry issues."
Gotthard Graß, General Manager, figawa e.V. – Bundesvereinigung der Firmen im Gas- und Wasserfach:
"The fair’s new concept was very well received. Our impression was that there were many more visitors than at the last event two years ago. The new concept with its 360-degree approach, Competence Centres and increased international participation will be at heart of future developments at WASSER BERLIN INTERNATIONAL".
Hans-Joachim Reck, Chief Executive, Verband kommunaler Unternehmen (VKU)
"We had numerous interesting meetings on our stand and were able to establish good contacts. We were also delighted with the positive reactions to our VKU event with water associations and trade organisations."
Dipl.-Wirtsch.-Ing. Dieter Hesselmann, Managing Director, Rohrleitungsbauverband:
”At WASSER BERLIN INTERNATIONAL 2013 the pipeline constructors’ trade associations again demonstrated their strength and wide-ranging expertise. The joint display of the pipeline constructors represented a good platform for showcasing their capabilities. The pipelaying demonstrations at WASsERLEBEN, the interactive event for the public, were also a success. The event provided a good opportunity to confront issues such as the lack of qualified staff.“
Rüdiger Heidebrecht, Deutsche Vereinigung für Wasserwirtschaft, Abwasser und Abfall e.V. (DWA), Divisional Chief, Education and International Cooperation
“We were very satisfied with WASSER BERLIN INTERNATIONAL 2013. Not only were there more visitors here than in 2011, but our national forums were also very well received. Furthermore, many young people came to find out about career prospects in the water industry and signed up with our organisation. For the DWA, focusing on an international exchange of knowledge and maintaining contact with our European and overseas partners is very important too. In both cases all our expectations were fulfilled.“
Thorsten Schmidt, Project Manager / Divisional Sales Manager, Salzgitter Mannesmann Line Pipe GmbH:
“As well as establishing numerous new domestic and foreign contacts, we also maintained and intensified our existing partnerships at WASSER BERLIN INTERNATIONAL 2013. It was particularly interesting to exchange views with representatives from regions such as Africa. We were able to relay information on specific products and set up business relations for the future.“
Rainer Harms, Managing Director, Sales, Hawle Armaturen GmbH
“We were very satisfied with the number of visitors on our stand. We welcomed numerous decision-makers, of which there were many more than two years ago.“
Dipl. Ing. Manfred Vogelbacher, Spokesman for the Regional Berlin/Brandenburg Group of the Pipeline Constructors’ Association and Head of the Berlin branch of Stegmeyer + Bischoff GmbH & Co. KG
“Our new concept with its concentration of local companies in Berlin has proved a success. For us WASSER BERLIN INTERNATIONAL is an ideal platform for communicating with our customers and we were very pleased with the reactions. We were more than satisfied. It would take me an entire year to visit everyone I met here this last week“
