GLASSTEC
Dusseldorf, Germany
International Trade Fair for Glass
Production - Processing - ProductsSEPT 20-23, 2016
1,217 exhibitors at glasstec 2014. The about 43,000 trade visitors were also extremely satisfied.
96% of the visitors give the world’s most important trade fair in the glass sector a positive overall rating.
Optimistic Mood at glasstec 2014; Exhibitors Rate Future Prospects Positively;High Visitor Satisfaction
After difficult times in large parts of the glass sector there are now clear signs of positive market developments. This was the clear message from the feedback of the 1,217 exhibitors at glasstec 2014. The about 43,000 trade visitors were also extremely satisfied.
glasstec 2014 convinced the specialists from the fields of mechanical engineering, glass manufacturing, -processing and -finishing, crafts, architecture/construction as well as glazing/façades and the solar sector: over 96% of the visitors give the world’s most important trade fair in the glass sector a positive overall rating. They also rated their visit in terms of achieving their goals at the trade fair just as high. Here 40% of visitors came to the event with specific intentions to invest which in turn is likely to create positive impulses for the exhibitors in the coming months. The proportion of attendees from middle and top management again improved. Over three quarters of the visitors were from these levels. The proportion of the visitors coming to Düsseldorf from abroad reached about 60% and this figure continues to be unmatched in the sector internationally.
“I am delighted that there were positive signs at glasstec 2014 in the field of mechanical engineering and the glass industry. The German skilled glazier’s trade is currently doing extremely well. Our ranges at glasstec in the Crafts Center with its new glass processing and finishing arena and the participation stations in the also new area Handwerk LIVE went down very well. Together with the established themes Autoglass Arena and glass art we offer a unique programme for all segments of the skilled trades and we are very pleased with the way the trade fair went,” remarked Martin Gutmann, President of glasstec 2014 and Federal Guilds Master.
“What is most important for us as organisers of glasstec is that our customers are satisfied because this is the basis for positive and sustainable growth for the event for the benefit of all involved. We once again fulfilled this goal in 2014 and have therefore again confirmed the role of glasstec as the world’s most important international meeting point with a clear barometer effect for the entire sector,” summed up Hans Werner Reinhard, Managing Director at Messe Düsseldorf.
Special Show glass technology live picks up on Future Themes
The comprehensive supporting programme at glasstec, which was further extended this year, also went down very well with visitors. In particular, the Special Show “glass technology live” (gtl) in Hall 11 organised by Prof. Stefan Behling and his team from the Institute of Building Construction at Stuttgart University, was once again a must-see show for many visitors.
With the motto “Intelligent Glass”, glass products from the near future were on display here. The results of the visitor survey confirm the selection of exhibits displayed at gtl: according to the experts, display glass/technical glass applications, glass printing/coating as well as thin glass are the top themes for the coming three to five years. A special eye-catcher at the Special Show was a 3.20m x 14m pane of glass finished using a ceramic digital printing process. Another highlight was display glass used in alternative areas of application and ultra-thin glass “from the roll” for electronic applications. Other audience magnets were numerous façade mock-ups, for instance with extraordinary geometries, fascinating optical effects or outstanding insulation properties, for example using 4-layer insulation glass.
The gtl was accompanied by a top-notch specialist symposium offering – within the exhibition area of gtl – a variety of lectures on daily changing themes which was avidly attended by visitors.
At the same time, these façade sections of glass technology live formed a part of the Façade Center, which also consisted of the information ranges of associations and research institutions at the “Competence Center Windows + Facades”. This line-up was supplemented by the new area efnMOBIL of the European Facade Network.
Conference Programme Well Attended
The line-up of the three conferences “Solar meets Glass”, “engineered transparency” and the “Architecture Congress” went down very well with delegates. Already on the day before the start of the trade fair opened experts from the solar and glass sector met to discuss their interconnected topics. With its 80 participants the two-day conference was pleasingly well attended given the deep crisis in the solar sector. This was followed on the first and second day of glasstec by the engineered transparency conference attracting just over 200 participants from 23 countries to shed light on the latest developments in the field of structural glass engineering. The Architecture Congress on the Wednesday of the fair successfully closed the line-up with some 280 participants.
DUSSELDORF TRADE FAIR HOTELS
There are plenty of reasons to join us FOR THE GLASSTEC Trade Fair .
You will meet knowledgeable industry leaders who will address a range of topics, link informative strategies for building your business, and learn how European demographics and psychographics differ from those in the U.S.
Put simply, if you want to tap into the vital European business market, you need to be at the GLASSTEC Trade Fair and Trade Show with TTI Travel, the Trade Fair Travel Specialists!
Visit a doctor.
Get a physical and update your vaccines. Depending on what country you are traveling to, you may need particular immunizations. Carry your medications with you on the plane so in the event your luggage is lost, you will have your daily meds on hand. Request a computerized medication list from your pharmacist in case of a medical emergency. And finally, check your insurance policy to confirm you are covered medically overseas, and if not buy travel health protection and medical evacuation insurance to be fully prepared.
Arrive at your destination country early.
Get the lay of the land by arriving a day or two before your meeting and hire a local guide to show you around. Contact the concierge at your hotel for recommendations on who to hire. Request the guide speak English so you can communicate and ask for helpful hints and tips that will be useful while you are visiting and doing business. Ask the concierge and your guide for suggestions of restaurants, coffee shops, and unique sites that are both safe and well regarded.
Give the U.S. State Department a heads up.
Notify the U.S. State Department and sign up to receive important information from the embassy about safety conditions, and be available via text or email should they need to contact you for travel alerts, natural disasters, or other emergencies. Utilize programs such as, "Stay Informed, Stay Connected, Stay Safe!" Smart Traveler Enrollment Program and refer to U.S. Passports and International Travel website for more information.
Contact your credit card company.
Nothing brings your trip to a screeching halt faster than frozen funds. Be sure to let your credit card company know when and where you'll be traveling so you can avoid the frantic call to unlock your card. Credit cards with magnetic strips are not always accepted by businesses, and some establishments do not accept credit cards at all, so make sure to carry a fair amount of local currency to avoid being caught off guard.
Make copies of important documents.
Make duplicates of the following: passport, driver's license, credit/debit cards, birth certificate, and insurance cards. Leave a set of copies at home or with someone you trust to retrieve the information. Pack another set carefully in your carry-on bag. Take a picture of your credit cards and security codes in case you need to access them immediately.
Anticipate technology challenges.
It may be difficult to find a place to charge your cell phone in the middle of the day while traveling. Consider bringing a backup solar powered battery charger. Depending on the country, you might need adaptors for your technology and electronics. Rather than bringing a suitcase full of hair tools and adaptors, invest in a less expensive hair straightener or curling iron when you arrive and use the hotel blow dryer. Even with an adaptor, some electronics can't handle the difference in voltage and will easily burn out.
Research your phone's travel capabilities.
Make a call to your cell phone company and discuss your options. I've found it worth the expense to purchase a travel calling plan when spending time abroad. Text messages and downloading any kind of data will quickly add up without a travel plan. Double check your phone settings and turn off "data fetch" for any programs on your phone that update on their own (i.e. Facebook). This will conserve your data until it's needed.
Brush up on the local language. You can test your skills using an app on your phone such as Duolingo or Google Translate. Don't underestimate a good old fashioned phrase book to get you through simple interactions. Familiarize yourself with the basics beforehand such as, "Hello," "Good-bye," "Excuse me," "My name is _____," "Nice to meet you," "Please," "Thank you," and "Where is the restroom?" to use as you go about your trip.
Photograph your luggage. Anyone who has had the unfortunate experience of losing their luggage can attest that trying to describe to an airport representative what your luggage looks like (i.e. black with wheels) can be vague. A baggage claim ticket is useful, but often lost during the flight and numerous layovers. Make an effort to attach something notable to your suitcases and take a picture of your baggage with your cell phone. Now you can easily identify your luggage in the sea of black bags.
Do your homework. Cultural customs differ from country to country, and it's always prudent to be prepared before you arrive. For example, some countries encourage tipping while others do not. Some regions are close communicators while others are more reserved. It's in your best interest to know something about the culture, etiquette, religion, business values, and particular communication styles before landing on foreign soil.
TTI Travel International Trade Fair Travel Tips
Taking care of details before you depart can make the difference between a smooth trip and a traveling nightmare. Here are a few first steps to get you started on the right foot: