’Only water, but EVERYTHING about water’ – Berlin is the capital where water means everything and where water covers seven per cent of the city’s surface. Managed by Berlin’s waterworks, the city’s economic water cycle is equivalent to that of Munich, Frankfurt and Stuttgart put together.

Short Facts

• Over 140 first-time exhibitors

• New: Innovation Plaza

• Innovation Tours: a new service for trade visitors

• Focus on Iran

• International Ozone Conference

• First forum on membrane technology

More than 140 first-time exhibitors from Germany and abroad are expected to attend the trade fair and accompanying congress. In addition to the displays of new technology the main priority for exhibitors and trade visitors will be the exchange of information between leading figures in business, industry and politics. Featuring numerous launches and new services, this year’s Wasser Berlin International is more innovative, more informative and more international than ever.

New: Innovation Plaza

Innovations and product developments are the driving force behind change, growth and employment. Against this dynamic background, Wasser Berlin International has created the Innovation Plaza, a centre for exchanging new ideas and creative meetings, in hall 2.2. All around the Plaza exhibitors will be showcasing their innovations, services and technical developments at individual and combined stands.

Innovation Tours ensure visitors are well informed

At WBI 2017, for the first time, trade visitors and journalists can find out through guided tours about new products and world debuts from the international water industry. On the first two days ‘Innovation Tours’ will take visitors to selected exhibitors’ stands, offering a concentrated overview of the industry’s innovative capabilities.

At www.wasser-berlin.de/en/Press/Innovations/ the first batch of 28 trade fair highlights will whet visitors’ appetites for more. This list will be regularly updated in the run-up to the trade fair. Journalists and trade visitors who would like to take part in the tours can register by emailing gaebel@messe-berlin.de.

An international event: focus on Iran

Trade visitors from many countries will be at WBI, proof that water is a topic of global importance. Numerous delegations, including from Costa Rica, Ghana, Austria, Kenya, Nicaragua, the Netherlands, Lebanon, the USA, Russia and Iran have already confirmed their attendance at WBI 2017. Iran will be the focus of the upcoming event. At the Iran Conference on 28 March 2017 visitors to the FutureForum in hall 3.2 can gain an insight into current and future projects.

Trade fair

The hall layout of the trade fair reflects the economic cycle of the water industry. It symbolises the principle of sustainability as well as demonstrating that WASSER BERLIN INTERNATIONAL showcases technology, services and systems from all parts of the water industry.

Topics in the Flood Management section will include protection against floodwater as well as technical measures to ensure flood control, water engineering and disaster management.

In hall 1.2 NO DIG BERLIN, a key section, will cover pipeline construction and trenchless construction methods. NO DIG BERLIN will be taking place at WASSER BERLIN INTERNATIONAL for the third time. Leading companies including Herrenknecht, Frisch & Faust, Saertex,Tracto-Technik and Stehmeyer + Bischoff Berlin will be taking the opportunity to present their products, services and technology in the NO DIG BERLIN section.

Congress

The Congress in hall 2.2 is the main focus of the event. Over the four days of the event numerous sessions will provide information on the latest water industry topics, including drinking water supplies, sustainability and wastewater management. On 30 March the BLUE PLANET Berlin Water Dialogues, the political platform of WBI, will place the spotlight on efficient wastewater management. The event is organised by the German Water Partnership and is co-sponsored by the Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety (BMUB), the Berlin Senate Department for Economics, Energy and Public Enterprises, and Messe Berlin.

On 29 March 2017 the topic of the Flood Management Symposium will be floods caused by extreme weather events and heavy rainfall. The event is co-organised by Verein Wasser Berlin and the Royal Dutch Embassy and will take place in the ExpertsForum in hall 4.2. Admission to the congress, Blue Planet and Flood Management is included in the price of a fair ticket.

Two new symposiums

On 29 March the International Ozone Conference will be taking place. Organised by the International Ozone Association, it provides scientists, engineers, users and service providers in the water supply chain with an overview of the latest developments and innovative applications regarding the use of ozone and advanced oxidation methods.

On 30 March in the Stuttgart Room in hall 1.2, for the first time, the Forum will be highlighting the prospects for membrane technology in water treatment plants. The Forum, which is organised by Deutsche Gesellschaft für Membrantechnik (DGMT), aims to raise awareness among political decision-makers, scientists and those in water management for the possibilities of membrane technology in the water treatment process.

The NO DIG BERLIN Symposium (Stuttgart Room, hall 1.2) on 28 and 29 March is co-organised by the GERMAN SOCIETY FOR TRENCHLESS TECHNOLOGY (GSTT) and the International Pipeline Construction Symposium (ILBS). Four tracks comprising 20 sessions, i.e. Jacking/Microtunneling, Infrastructure/Coordination, Testing Assessments/Asset Management and Rehabilitation/Renovation will provide visitors with a comprehensive insight into current developments.

The Well Construction Symposium will take place on 30 and 31 March in the ExpertsForum in hall 4.2. Experts will be providing information on standards and regulations in well construction, for flushing wells as well as on other topics. Participation in the symposium qualifies as advanced training in accordance with DVGW Work Sheet 120-1.

Schaustelle Wasser: putting theory into practice

At Wasser Berlin visitors can also observe how theory is put into practice. A tour of pipeline construction sites will highlight innovative and environmentally safe construction methods, including modernisation of wastewater pressure pipelines, refurbishment of water pipelines using pipe jacking, and construction of barriers for regulating sewage accumulations.

The tour of installations will showcase modern, complex methods and installations, part of the Berlin infrastructure, including a water disposal management system. Innovations for ensuring safe drinking water supplies as well as water purification methods will also be shown.

Both tours will take place on 30 March 2017 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is 80 euros per person per tour. The price includes a midday snack and free admission to the fair on Friday, 31 March (students: 50 euros, parties: please enquire). Berliner Wasserbetriebe is co-organising the event.

Career Day on 31 March

Around the world the water industry is looking for qualified specialists and on the Friday this is where newcomers can find out about their career prospects. Personnel managers and human resource experts from numerous companies will have career information on jobs in the skilled trades, engineering and commerce for job starters and students. Newcomers can find plenty of current vacancies posted on the job wall in hall 3.2. On Friday, 31 March from 10 a.m. to 12 midday in hall 2.2 the congress will also address the wide range of job opportunities in the water industry.

WASsERLEBEN – the interactive show for the public

WASsERLEBEN – the interactive show for the public in hall 6.2: this is where visitors can get a taste of adventure, as the title suggests. More than 30 companies, associations and schools will be inviting visitors, young people and adults to take part in many exciting activities and information sessions on water extraction, water treatment and water usage. Among those taking part will be Berliner Wasserbetriebe, Greenpeace Deutschland, the Senate Department for Urban Development and the Environment, Freie Universität Berlin and a combined stand organised by schools from Berlin. Advance-sale tickets for school parties are available on the internet at the reduced rate of 35 euros.

Services for trade visitors

WASSER BERLIN INTERNATIONAL has a range of services on offer to help trade visitors make the most of the fair from 28 to 31 March. Visitors wishing to travel by rail with Deutsche Bahn can purchase a 2nd class return ticket for only 99 euros from any station in Germany (1st class: 159 euros). To reserve a ticket please call the hotline on +49 (0)1806 31 11 53 stating ‘Messe Berlin’.

WASSER BERLIN INTERNATIONAL has made special arrangements with five hotels – Grand Hotel Esplanade, Kempinski Hotel Bistrol, H10 Berlin Ku’damm, Hotel Ku’ Damm 101und Hotel Seehof – which are offering overnights at special rates for exhibitors and trade visitors.

From 28 to 31 March 2017 a free bus service will operate between Berlin Tegel Airport and the exhibition grounds and between the above hotels and the grounds.

From 28 to 30 March 2017 WASSER BERLIN INTERNATIONAL will be open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and on 31 March 2017 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Reduced rates apply to tickets purchased online: a day ticket costs 20 euros, a 2-day ticket 30 euros and unlimited admission costs 50 euros. The following prices apply at the ticket offices on the grounds: a day ticket costs 40 euros, a 2-day ticket 60 euros and unlimited admission costs 80 euros. For students admission is 10 euros for a day ticket and 15 euros for a 2-day ticket.

About WASSER BERLIN INTERNATIONAL

Wasser Berlin International is Germany’s international marketing platform devoted to the topic of water where trade visitors can find products, services and solutions from every part of the water industry. The Wasser Berlin International Congress is in the format of an enclosed hall forum and an integral part of the fair. In 2015 Wasser Berlin International was held on a display area covering 36,000 square metres. 557 exhibitors from 26 countries were represented in Berlin, of whom 118 came from abroad. 22,686 trade visitors from 104 countries attended Wasser Berlin International 2015. The next event will take place from 28 to 31 March 2017.

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WASSER BERLIN INTERNATIONAL 2017: More innovative – more informative – more international

WASSER BERLIN INTERNATIONAL 2017: More innovative – more informative – more international (Photo: View into hall 5.2 / wasser-berlin.de)

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