LASER WORLD OF PHOTONICS
Munich, Germany
Munich trade fair for laser technology components
2015—Final report
Light is the future
More than 30,000 visitors for the first time
More exhibitors, new names and an additional fifth hall
Young entrepreneurs forge ahead
Gathering place for Nobel Prize winners
LASER World of PHOTONICS, being held from June 22–25, shed light on the industry. The enormous energy inherent in the topic was tangible at the leading trade fair in Munich: there were around nine per cent more exhibitors (1,227) and more than ten per cent more visitors (more than 30,000) in attendance and a new hall was opened. Concrete applications attracted keen interest.
“LASER World of PHOTONICS is the most important platform for the international photonics industry” said Dr. Reinhard Pfeiffer, Messe München’s Deputy CEO. “The popularity among exhibitors is reflected in the rising demand. Many companies are presenting their products and innovations at the trade fair for the first time.” Far more than half the exhibitors and visitors came from abroad. Pfeiffer: “The enormous growth in visitors from outside Europe is also down to countries such as the USA, China and Japan.
”Dr. Wilhelm Kaenders, President of TOPTICA Photonics AG, is in no doubt: “More than ever LASER World of PHOTONICS is the world-leading Photonics marketplace. For us the joint approach, congress and exhibition, is the secret to the success and justifies our own engagement in all levels of the event.”
STARTUP World: Young entrepreneurs forge ahead
The new initiative STARTUP World was a great success. The finalists of the first PHOTONICS Award demonstrated the unlimited potential applications of Photonics in production and medicine: Nanolive, Norlase, 8strees, FEMTO-print, SwissLitho AG, Sand Made. Thorsten Rudolph, CEO, Anwendungszentrum Oberpfaffenhofen, said: “LASER World of PHOTONICS is the ideal platform for the first STARTUP WORLD. This is where young companies can showcase their product innovations to a wide public and establish good contacts.”
With photonics to the car of the future
Photonics is revolutionizing automotive production: lasers cut car bodies, image processing ensures safe navigation within the traffic, laser headlights turn night into day. This was demonstrated by the new special show “Photonics Applications in the Automotive Industry”. Katja Stolle, Exhibition Director, ex-plains: “LASER World of PHOTONICS is the perfect meeting place for users and suppliers. Innovations here underpin technological leadership.”
Top marks from visitors and exhibitors
The results of the poll by market research institute TNS Infratest testify to the excellent atmosphere: 97 per cent of visitors find the trade fair “excellent to good” and will very probably return. 94 per cent of exhibitors find the trade fair “excellent to good” and 97 per cent will very probably take part again.Photonics industry has momentumThe outlook is good for the next LASER World of PHOTONICS, from June 26–29, 2017. According to a recent study by the Federal Ministry of Education and Research and trade associations SPECTARIS, VDMA and ZVEI the global turnover of the Photonics industry in 2014 was around 350 billion euros. It is due to hit 615 billion euros by 2020.
MUNICH TRADE FAIR HOTELS
There are plenty of reasons to join us FOR THE LASER MUNICH FAIR Trade Fair .
You will meet knowledgeable industry leaders who will address a range of topics, link informative strategies for building your business, and learn how European demographics and psychographics differ from those in the U.S.
Put simply, if you want to tap into the vital European business market, you need to be at the LASER MUNICH FAIR Trade Fair and Trade Show with TTI Travel, the Trade Fair Travel Specialists!
Visit a doctor.
Get a physical and update your vaccines. Depending on what country you are traveling to, you may need particular immunizations. Carry your medications with you on the plane so in the event your luggage is lost, you will have your daily meds on hand. Request a computerized medication list from your pharmacist in case of a medical emergency. And finally, check your insurance policy to confirm you are covered medically overseas, and if not buy travel health protection and medical evacuation insurance to be fully prepared.
Arrive at your destination country early.
Get the lay of the land by arriving a day or two before your meeting and hire a local guide to show you around. Contact the concierge at your hotel for recommendations on who to hire. Request the guide speak English so you can communicate and ask for helpful hints and tips that will be useful while you are visiting and doing business. Ask the concierge and your guide for suggestions of restaurants, coffee shops, and unique sites that are both safe and well regarded.
Give the U.S. State Department a heads up.
Notify the U.S. State Department and sign up to receive important information from the embassy about safety conditions, and be available via text or email should they need to contact you for travel alerts, natural disasters, or other emergencies. Utilize programs such as, "Stay Informed, Stay Connected, Stay Safe!" Smart Traveler Enrollment Program and refer to U.S. Passports and International Travel website for more information.
Contact your credit card company.
Nothing brings your trip to a screeching halt faster than frozen funds. Be sure to let your credit card company know when and where you'll be traveling so you can avoid the frantic call to unlock your card. Credit cards with magnetic strips are not always accepted by businesses, and some establishments do not accept credit cards at all, so make sure to carry a fair amount of local currency to avoid being caught off guard.
Make copies of important documents.
Make duplicates of the following: passport, driver's license, credit/debit cards, birth certificate, and insurance cards. Leave a set of copies at home or with someone you trust to retrieve the information. Pack another set carefully in your carry-on bag. Take a picture of your credit cards and security codes in case you need to access them immediately.
Anticipate technology challenges.
It may be difficult to find a place to charge your cell phone in the middle of the day while traveling. Consider bringing a backup solar powered battery charger. Depending on the country, you might need adaptors for your technology and electronics. Rather than bringing a suitcase full of hair tools and adaptors, invest in a less expensive hair straightener or curling iron when you arrive and use the hotel blow dryer. Even with an adaptor, some electronics can't handle the difference in voltage and will easily burn out.
Research your phone's travel capabilities.
Make a call to your cell phone company and discuss your options. I've found it worth the expense to purchase a travel calling plan when spending time abroad. Text messages and downloading any kind of data will quickly add up without a travel plan. Double check your phone settings and turn off "data fetch" for any programs on your phone that update on their own (i.e. Facebook). This will conserve your data until it's needed.
Brush up on the local language. You can test your skills using an app on your phone such as Duolingo or Google Translate. Don't underestimate a good old fashioned phrase book to get you through simple interactions. Familiarize yourself with the basics beforehand such as, "Hello," "Good-bye," "Excuse me," "My name is _____," "Nice to meet you," "Please," "Thank you," and "Where is the restroom?" to use as you go about your trip.
Photograph your luggage. Anyone who has had the unfortunate experience of losing their luggage can attest that trying to describe to an airport representative what your luggage looks like (i.e. black with wheels) can be vague. A baggage claim ticket is useful, but often lost during the flight and numerous layovers. Make an effort to attach something notable to your suitcases and take a picture of your baggage with your cell phone. Now you can easily identify your luggage in the sea of black bags.
Do your homework. Cultural customs differ from country to country, and it's always prudent to be prepared before you arrive. For example, some countries encourage tipping while others do not. Some regions are close communicators while others are more reserved. It's in your best interest to know something about the culture, etiquette, religion, business values, and particular communication styles before landing on foreign soil.
TTI Travel International Trade Fair Travel Tips
Taking care of details before you depart can make the difference between a smooth trip and a traveling nightmare. Here are a few first steps to get you started on the right foot: