The organisers of the Laser World of Photonics exhibition in Munich have hailed last month's event as a success, claiming that Munich retains its position as the photonics industry's capital city. This year's event, the 20th of its kind, saw 27,500 visitors and more than 1,100 exhibitors and represented companies, both of which are record numbers for the show. The organisers note a manufacturing industry that is brimming with confidence as it looks to the future.
Fuelled by the positive meetings and well attended trade fair halls, the mood among exhibitors and visitors was excellent. Günther Braun, CEO and president of Rofin-Sinar Technologies gave a positive verdict on the show: 'Laser World of Photonics has again bolstered its position as the leading international trade fair in the photonics sector. This year it very clearly mirrors the market’s upbeat mood. It was very obvious to us that there were more international visitors here, especially from Asia, compared with the event in 2009. We experienced high visitor traffic from the very first day. All of us met our target groups, the electronics, photovoltaic and automotive sectors in particular were in stronger demand this time.'
The organisers state that the show is particularly international, with 58 per cent of exhibitors and 53 per cent of visitors coming from outside Germany. The top five visitor countries apart from Germany were France, the UK, Switzerland, Japan and the USA.
3,250 international participants attended the total of six conferences taking place during the World of Photonics Congress. The participants praised the technical level and scope of the offerings. Prof Dr Peter Loosen, president of the steering committee of the World of Photonics Congress and deputy head of the Fraunhofer Institute for Laser Technology ILT, said: 'The combination of trade fair and congress here in Munich is unique in the world. The congress comprises the six conferences as well as the practical lectures in the photonics forums in the trade fair halls. These forums are outstanding and made a significant contribution to opening the congress up to industry. The congress is one of the greatest photonics events in the world of its type; the atmosphere here was very good.'
The next Laser World of Photonics event will be held from 17 to 20 June 2013.
