Aquatech/International Water Week: the highlights
Amsterdam hosted the International Water Week and the 23rd edition of the water technology tradeshow Aquatech from November 1-4. Highlights of both events were the first International Water Conference, the second Delta National Congress and the Industrial Leaders Forum.
Significantly more visitors
The broader intent of Aquatech with the International Water Week has had a positive impact on the numbers of visitors, according to fair manager Paddy Young of Amsterdam-RAI. The visitor figure was up with 17 percent. "Both visitors and exhibitors are excited about the broader range of water technology and water management. So here We are going through certainly. We have already decided to combine the next Aquatech in 2013 with the second edition of the International Water Week ", confirms the very satisfied exhibition manager.
Aquatech Innovation Awards 2011
During the official opening ceremony the Aquatech Innovation Awards were presented for five categories. The winners were Ingrepro, Pentair Nijhuis, CapiliX, Quantum Flux, Pentair X-flow. The overall winner was Pentair Nijhuis with their fish friendly pump.
Director Robert Schuuring of Pentair/Nijhuis Pumps received the Aquatech Innovation Award
Read more on the Aquatech Innovation Awards >>
With over 30 water technology companies and organisations, the Dutch Pavilion was the biggest ever at Aquatech
Latest developments on Delta programme
Top day was 3 November with 2nd National Delta Congress where delta commissioner Wim Kuijken informed over 1,200 visitors on the latest developments of the Delta programme, which is supposed to safeguard the nation against floods and drought for the next century.
Dutch prime minister Mark Rutte (center) visited the Delta Parade along with the Delta Commissioner Wim Kuijken.
Read more on the National Delta Congress >>
Multinationals in debate with water sector
CEO's of the multinationals Shell (oil & gas), Unilever (food), DSM (chemical) and the Rabo Bank (finance) joined the Industrial Leaders Forum on 3 November to discuss water issues with CEO's of the water sector. The multinationals are seriously working on reducing their water footprint. But not enough, according to the water sector. The CEO's of Amiad Filters and DOW Water Process Solutions complained there is little use of innovative technology and big industrial water users choose too easy for established solutions.
Participating in the Industrial Leaders Forum f.l.t.r. Arik Dayan of Amiad Filtration, Robert Claasen of DSM and Snehal Desai of DOW water & process solutions
Read more on the Industrial Leaders Forum >>
Delegations from 40 different countries
An unprecedented number of delegations visited Aquatech and the International Water Conference. A large number of delegations were invited as participants of the Netherlands international programs Water OS (Ministry of Foreign Affairs) and Water Mondial (Ministry of infrastructure and environment). One such delegation came from Viet Nam where the Netherlands assists in a climate adaptation programme for the Mekong delta. Another delegation came from Benin to talk about integrated water resource management.
The delegation members visited the countless conferences, the Aquatech fair and took part in the excursions were organized to all sorts of ' showcases ' in the country, such as the sand engine at Hoek van Holland and the pure water factory in Emmen.
A royal moment in the Dutch Hospitality Lounge with the visit of Prince Pieter-Christiaan who was present because his company AGT that specializes in digital dike monitoring.
World champion pipe fitting
The team of the Amsterdam municipal water company, Waternet, has prolonged its title as world champion pipe fitting. The Amsterdam team of Marco Borhem, Arie van Bladeren and Michiel van Meeteren, is growing stronger each world championship and also this year they left back their American and English opponents. As they did in Chicago at the previous World Championships in 2008. Coach Hans Vlieger was proud of his team. "They play together for years and still getting faster. They learned to remain quiet. You often see teams quickly restoring their mistakes and thereby losing their concentration, "said the coach.
3rd Wetskills for young water professionals
Twenty students from eight countries participated in the 3rd Wetskills Innovation Challenge. As with the two previous editions of Wetskills in Shanghai and Casablanca, went on excursions, attended lectures and teambuilding meetings with water experts. Finally, students were divided into five teams and they had an innovative water plan for the Amsterdam Watergraafsmeer district.
Read more on the 3rd Wetskills competition >>