Industrial automation: Sindex takes positive stock
Sindex, the leading trade fair for industrial automation, recently took place live in Bern and was simultaneously supplemented with a digital platform. Initial reactions from exhibitors and visitors show that the new hybrid form has been convincing.
More flexibility for visitors, an even more attractive presence for exhibitors: These were two key objectives of the Sindexwhich this year took place from 31 August to 2 September both on site at the exhibition centre in Bern and as a digital platform on the Internet. The premiere of the hybrid leading trade fair for industrial automation was a great success, writes Bernexpo: Over 120 exhibitors, 3,800 visitors were on site during three days. The hybrid expansion increased visitor numbers by 21%. "After the extremely difficult months during the Corona pandemic, it was very important for us to be able to offer our partners, exhibitors and visitors an attractive overall experience," says David von Büren, Co-Exhibition Director of Sindex. "The visitors really appreciated finally being able to meet live again and - thanks to our comprehensive protection concept - in an uncomplicated way and without a mask," von Büren continues.
Federal President honours innovation
Sindex 2021 was opened by a personality who knows how important industrial automation is for Switzerland: President Guy Parmelin. After his welcoming address, the head of the Department of Economic Affairs, Education and Research (EAER) answered questions from the audience and presented the swiss DINNO Award awarded. The winners are: Comtac AG Cluey - The Configurable Controller and Monitor, LIQUIDTOOL. Smart cooling lubricant management and Scuola universitaria professionale della Svizzera italiana (SUPSI) - Universal Machine Automata Model 2 - An adaptable robotic platform for maintenance operations in harsh environments.
The award winners thus fitted in perfectly with the overall environment of Sindex: the industry was confident about its future prospects. The reason for this is a richly filled pipeline with new or further developed products and services relating to industrial automation, which the exhibitors were able to present at the hybrid trade fair. Sindex was held under the motto "Innovation in Dialogue" and was devoted in particular to the focus topics of predictive maintenance, cyber security and artificial intelligence.
Highly regarded special zones
Trends, innovations and exciting key technologies shaped the trade fair just as much as the conference area, where in-depth presentations on the focus topics took place. The topic of cyber security made it clear that cyber attacks have long since ceased to affect only large international corporations and government organizations, but represent a highly topical problem for the entire industry and for every company. Artificial Intelligence is not just a mythical word of the future, but is already being used in numerous innovative developments. And the presentations and panel discussions on the subject of predictive maintenance gave a boost to many industry representatives who hope to achieve greater efficiency and effectiveness through modern sensors and intelligent software. This will significantly improve the early automatic and routine maintenance of plant and machinery.
The special zones also attracted a lot of attention: The "Youth Automation Challenge" competition for young people and the preparatory competition for the "Worldskills" vocational championships with title contenders from Belgium, Germany and Switzerland.
A variety of interactive formats
The digital platform with interactive formats offered interested parties the opportunity to obtain an up-to-date market overview and a picture of the latest developments from the industry online during three days. All forum contributions, Sindex News TV reports and interesting background reports were streamed on the platform. In virtual meeting rooms, the contents were specifically deepened and contacts were made. The numerous contributions represent a lasting value for the industry and were viewed over 2000 times during the trade fair alone.
Those responsible at Bernexpo Groupe, the organisers, drew a positive conclusion after the three days of Sindex: "The opportunity to once again move around in a safe trade fair environment without masks was appreciated all round. The expansion of the trade fair to include a digital platform also gave exhibitors and visitors greater flexibility in terms of space and time. We have received a lot of positive feedback so far," says co-exhibitor René Westermann. "It gave exhibitors the opportunity to easily extend their presence into the virtual space and make content accessible to participants for whom a physical presence was not possible." Visitors also saw it as an advantage to be able to consume selected presentations from Sindex during and also after the live event, regardless of time and location.
"Bernexpo is thus meeting the needs of all target groups and setting new standards for the trade fair of the future. This could become the new standard for trade fairs," says Pascal Blanc, Head of Trade Fairs.
Press release Bernexpo
