Door: FHI, Federatie van Technologie Branches On Thursday afternoon, May 23, FHI is organizing the WoTS kick-off in Jaarbeurs Utrecht.
During the kick-off, practical issues will be discussed, such as the exhibition floor plan, the exhibitor manual, improvements around logistics, catering and new possibilities in visitor registration. After the substantive program, we will organize three inspiration sessions for enthusiasts. Below you will find the program and short descriptions of the inspiration sessions.
Register for the WoTS exhibitor kick-off on May 23, 2024 FHI, federation of technology industries
Almost seventy years of technology fair: from Het Instrument to the World of Industry, Technology & Science
This year we celebrate the fifth edition of the World of Industry, Technology & Science. But did you know that the largest industrial trade fair in the Benelux has been around since 1956? We look back at almost 70 years of technology trade fair and discuss with Corné Reuvers of Beun-De Ronde how the role of the trade fair has changed over the years.
On September 26, 1956, the RAI opened its doors for the first edition of Het Instrument. At the time, the fair is a partnership between 41 companies with a desire to run their own course. They were dissatisfied with the range of exhibitions and fairs at the time. For example, Mr. W.J. de Koning of N.V. Kipp of Delft wrote on November 13, 1953: “To Heeren Manufacturers and Traders in the field of Laboratory equipment. The number of exhibitions, to which our companies are invited to participate, has become too large. For various reasons the return on participation in exhibitions is not in accordance with the high costs, which are associated with them.”
After several years of correspondence and meetings, the Association Het Instrument is founded on March 7, 1956. In September that year, the first edition of the fair with the same name which, despite the short preparation time, is a great success, follows. The goal of the companies involved is clear: an independent fair with self-determination in program, layout and promotion, to enable contact between members and the market.
Technological development
In the years that follow, not only the shape and size of the fair changes, but also the range of exhibitors. Corné Reuvers, managing director at Beun-De Ronde confirms that: “There is a huge difference in the offerings. Beun de Ronde sold small laboratory instruments. Over the years that has completely shifted to application-driven equipment.” Beun-De Ronde is one of 41 companies involved in the founding of Het Instrument and has a rich history of its own.
Corné explains that trade show participation, before the advent of the Internet, was mainly about name recognition. “When I was still in laboratory school, we went to the trade fair by bus for a day. That's where you first got to know the participating companies. Of course, with the advent of the Internet, that has changed. Trade fairs have become more of a meeting place. A place for customers and suppliers to catch up in a different environment.”
After the corona crisis, trade shows and events are entering a new era. In a world where video calling has become the norm, Corné says there is still room for a physical trade show. “People need contact with each other. Sometimes video calling is fine, but if you're making a big investment, it's important to build a relationship of trust. Therefore, there is real value in personal contact among other things during a trade show. In addition, a trade show also gives energy to our own organization. Our salespeople and product specialists are on the road a lot, and the trade show is a time to connect with each other as well. It's almost a kind of team building.”
Collaboration
In 2014, Het Instrument will enter into cooperation with FEDA's Industrial Automation & Drives trade fair. From then on, both fairs will continue under the name World of Technology & Science. The fair will consist of four worlds: World of Automation, World of Laboratory, World of Motion & Drives and World of Electronics. From 2018, Machevo & Bulk will also become an official partner and the title Industrial Processing will be present on the show floor. From 2022, it will be the World of Industrial Processing.
2024 is the year the WoTS reinvents itself. The world of technology is innovating and the WoTS is moving along. World of Automation, World of Motion & Drives and World of Industrial Processing will be merged into one world: the World of Industry. With that, the title of the fair also changes to World of Industry, Technology & Science.
Federation Het Instrument was founded with the aim of organizing an independent trade fair where suppliers could interact with the market. At the time, cooperation was the basis for the creation of the fair and FHI. After almost 70 years, much has changed, but we are all the more aware of the power of cooperation to achieve technological innovations as well as solutions.
From September 24 to 27, 2024, the fifth edition of the World of Industry, Technology & Science will take place in the Jaarbeurs, Utrecht. Visit the website for more information and register to attend.
Still one spot available in X-pedition Sustainability
Lab managers and lab technicians are looking for sustainable solutions for their lab. Do you offer these? Then highlight them during the X-pedition “Sustainable Solutions for the Lab.” Participation in an X-pedition means:
- Extra exposure of your company in the communication process prior to the exhibition; through mention in newsletters, articles and the exhibition newspaper.
- Profiling your company on the theme of sustainability.
- More visitors to your stand.
During WoTS 2024, we will also offer the familiar concept of the X-peditions with the theme of Sustainability. An X-pedition is an interactive exhibition tour where visitors follow a route along a maximum of six exhibitors, in order to gain specific knowledge about sustainable solutions. At each booth, a different topic is addressed and the knowledge of visitors on the topic gets tested with a question.
Are you interested in joining this X-pedition? You can register via this link. If you have questions or would like more information, please send an email to joost@fhi.nl.
