Germany: WINDFORCE 2012 Deemed Great Success

6,000 visitors were welcomed to Germany’s first trade fair for the offshore wind industry and WAB’s eighth offshore conference from 26 to 29 June 2012 in Bremen

“Our expectations were more than met”, said Jens Eckhoff, managing director of the Offshore Wind Messe- und Veranstaltungs GmbH, after four successful days of the WINDFORCE 2012 fair. The organiser of Germany’s first trade show for the offshore wind industry was very pleased with the positive response he garnered from exhibitors and visitors alike.

“Many exhibitors confirmed again and again how successful the trade fair was both in terms of its high quality and their business talks at stands. That makes us very happy and at the same time spurs us on for the coming years”, said Mr Eckhoff.

WAB’s eighth offshore conference took place at the same time in Bremen. Ronny Meyer, managing director of Wind Energy Agency WAB, said: “Our conference has become a tradition in the industry in the past eight years and is still enjoying growing interest. Combining it with the trade fair was another successful step we took. We are pleased with this cooperative effort and are looking forward to 2014 when we will join forces again in Bremen.”

The organisers counted altogether 4,600 visitors to Halls 4 and 5 at the Bremen Fair between 26 and 28 June. When WINDFORCE 2012 opened the fair to the public on 29 June, nearly 1,400 visitors filled the halls, there to find out more about the future of offshore wind energy, career opportunities and vocational training, and to use this chance to talk to businesses in the industry. At the Job & Career Market in Hall 4, experts were there that day to answer questions and provide information to the public in brief talks about career choices in the offshore industry.

WINDFORCE 2012 laid the groundwork for success in coming years, and organisers Ronny Meyer and Jens Eckhoff are looking forward to upcoming events. Next year the ninth WAB offshore conference will be back in Bremerhaven. In 2014, WINDFORCE will return to Bremen for the second WINDFORCE trade fair and the tenth WAB conference. Several businesses have already booked a stand for the 2014 show.

[mappress]

Offshore WIND staff, July 9, 2012; Image: windforce2012