IWW-Aquatech: International Water Week and Aquatech show global leadership in innovative urban water technology
The 2nd edition of International Water Week and the 24th edition of Aquatech Amsterdam proved once again to be a major success.
The two-days international conference on urban water technologies and urban water management draw 1050 delegates from over100 different countries, three times more than two year ago.
Water technology trade fair Aquatech Amsterdam 2013 brought together over 650 exhibitors and some 18,500 visitors from the national and international water sector.
The 2013 edition of International Water Week Amsterdam and Aquatech presented itself as the ultimate platform for industry leaders and water professionals to network and find the latest innovative products, services, and technologies.
A must visit event
For the second time the International Water Week and Aquatech Amsterdam were held together in Amsterdam RAI. "We have had so much positive feedback from our exhibitors and visitors", says Annette Bos, Domain Manager Aquatech Global Events at Amsterdam RAI. "It’s clear that the Aquatech exhibition is a must visit event for the international water sector."
Bos adds: "We welcomed visitors from 140 different countries and 60% of them came from abroad. Special delegations from 40 countries attended the event, with support from the Dutch government. The appreciation and trust expressed by our exhibitors for the Aquatech formula is overwhelming. Despite the economic uncertainty already 30 percent of the show floor is rebooked for 2015."
According to director Lennart Silvis of the Netherlands Water Partnership the event successfully focused on the question how to get things done. On how to facilitate the implementation of proven solutions.
"The international conference had many short presentations that connected science, policy and business. It was surprising to see that many solutions are already available, not only in the water cycle itself but also in relation to energy and food production", says Silvis
(right on photo).
Impressive opening
Some 650 visitors and high level keynote speakers celebrated the opening of the International Water Week and Aquatech Amsterdam. Amongst them were Prince El Hassan bin Talal of Jordan, chair of the UN Secretary-General’s Advisory Board. He addressed the Opening Ceremony of the International Water Week, highlighting that for many people around the world, water is a health hazard rather than a promoter of good health.
Dutch Minister of Infrastructure and environment Melanie Schultz van Haegen also spoke at the opening, commenting: "We have a responsibility to share experience, to save lives." The overall message of all keynote speakers was that the global water community must develop and implement integrated solutions.
Focus on industrial water use
In line with market demand, Aquatech placed a special focus on the industrial use of water. One of the main programme elements reflecting this need was the Industrial Leaders Forum. Moderator Menno Holterman, the CEO of Nijhuis Industries, explains that 'for industry, water is becoming their licence to produce'.
Holterman added that during the preparations for the event, the captains of industry involved had unanimously proposed to send their sustainability directors, because all of the major water users are implementing ways to reduce their water footprint.
Rabobank’s Managing Director of Sustainable Business Development, Daan Dijk, noted that there is a significant latent demand for more money to implement water efficient technologies. He also outlined the need for a ‘hard-nosed’ approach to sustainability based on quantitative figures.
The calendar of the next edition of the International Water Week Amsterdam and Aquatech Amsterdam:
• Aquatech Amsterdam 2015: 3 - 6 November 2015, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
• International Water Week: 1 - 6 November 2015, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
This news item is based on press release published on the website of AmsterdamRAI and Netherlands Water Partnership (Dutch only).
Read more on IWW/Aquatech on this site
• Meet the Dutch water sector in Amsterdam!
• IWW/Aquatech: Holland pavilion great place for global water business, 11 November 2013
• IWW/Aquatech: Industry Leaders Forum acknowledges water scarcity as a risk to be handled locally, 8 November 2013
• IWW/Aquatech: In-depth discussions and best practices at conference on future urban water management, 7 November 2013
• IWW/Aquatech: Cities are challenged to create attractive public spaces for water storage, 7 November 2013
• IWW/Aquatech: Sanergy wins 50.000 euro Sarphati award for establishing sanitation business in Nairobi, 6 November 2013
• IWW/Aquatech: Collective call for integrated water solutions at opening ceremony, 5 November 2013
• IWW/Aquatech: Pitch battle for entrepreneurs with highly innovative water technology solutions, 4 November 2013
• IWW/Aquatech Amsterdam 2013: Captains of industry to debate water use in the full product cycle, 22 October 2013
• Aquatech Amsterdam 2013 trade exhibition unveils nominees Innovation Awards, 9 October 2013
• New UNSGAB Chair Prince El Hassan Bin Talal keynote speaker at International Water Week, the Netherlands, 16 Augustus 2013
• International Water Week Amsterdam 2013 seeks inspiring water solutions for a green economy, 14 May 2013
More information
www.amsterdam.aquatechtrade.com
www.internationalwaterweek.com