More than 19,500 professionals visited the show.
The industry has joined forces, consolidating its ability to showcase new technology, its innovative potential and external projection during this week, with the holding of +Industry. This event combined Industry Tools by Ferroforma, Subcontracting, Addit3D, Fitmaq, Pumps&Valves, Maintenance and BeDigital trade shows from 4 to 6 June.
A total of 19,534 professionals from 72 countries have flocked to this meeting. 6% of the total number of visitors were international guests from Germany, France, Italy, the Netherlands, Portugal, the United Kingdom, Algeria, Argentina, Colombia and Mexico, among others, as well as some more distant countries like China, India, Iran, Russia, Egypt, Canada, South Africa and Singapore.
With respect to professionals at national level, it is important to note that 49% came from outside the Basque Autonomous Community. On this occasion, the largest inflow came from Catalunya, Madrid, the Valencian Community, Castilla-León, Navarre, Cantabria and Asturias. Among the professionals, there was noteworthy attendance of Managing Directors, owners, managers, CEOs, as well as the heads of purchasing departments and employees, in general.
This year, +Industry has underlined the extensive response given by exhibitors and visitors to the technical workshops programme, live demos, the Speakers' Corner and the scheduled B2B meetings. They involved more than a hundred speakers, with attendance rates that have surpassed the highest expectations. They tackled different aspects relating to Industry 4.0. through products and services in the manufacturing processes and industrial supplies.
B2B meetings, around 2,000 interviews
The B2B meetings scheduled in Industry Tools by Ferroforma, Subcontratación, Pumps& Valves and Maintenance were spaces highly valued by those attending these trade shows. Overall, they involved more than 250 purchasers, with around 2,000 interviews taking place over the three days of the event.
In general, the exhibitors acknowledged that their expectations were met, with the sheer volume of visitors welcomed and, above all, the number of "interesting" contacts that were obtained during their time at +Industry.
At the opening ceremony, chaired by Arantxa Tapia, Minister for Economic Development and Infrastructures of the Basque Government, she pointed out the significance of this event, directly linking it with "the European industry that is immersed in a process of intense transformation". "Our competitiveness is facing challenges linked to infrastructures, energy and talent, and to the strengthening of collaboration between companies to transcend borders", she added.
Economic impact of over 21 million euros
Around 1,300 firms from 35 countries, more than 100 speakers, and, of course, the more than 19,500 professional visitors, were the main players at this industrial meeting, whose defining characteristic is the synergies between professionals, included in the claim "More exhibitions, a better industry".
Thus, the holding of +Industry has led to an economic impact on the Basque Country of 21.1 million euros in terms of Gross Domestic Product (GDP)
By destination sector, the study revealed that 73% of the direct expenditure of exhibitors, organisers and visitors addressed activities outside the trade show, mainly to the hotel & restaurant business, transport, retail trade and leisure and cultural activities. This first group, which includes housing and catering, represents practically half of the overall figure of the impact, with sales revenues of around 9.6 million euros. The volume and profile of the participants - international and with a high-quality level - explains such positive results.
Moreover, tax revenue of 2,625,899 euros and the generation of 438 jobs confirm the traction power of the Bilbao Exhibition Centre in the economy.
Last of all, within the framework of +Industry, the organising team of EMO Hannover, the main machine-tool fair worldwide, announced in a press conference the new edition to be held from 16 to 21 September next year under the motto "Smart technologies driving tomorrow's production".