SPECIAL EVENTS WETZLAR 2024
SPECIAL AREAS
Official Opening
Welcome and Panel Discussion
9.45 – 11.30 AM
We look forward to the opening round with our guests.
Join us in welcoming:
- Stefan Sauer State Secretary in the Hessian Ministry for Digital Affairs and Innovation
- Dr. Rainer Waldschmidt Managing Director Hessen Trade & Invest
- Dr. Christoph Ullrich District President of Gießen
- Manfred Wagner Lord Mayor of Wetzlar
- Dr. Felix Heusler President of the IHK Lahn-Dill
This will be followed by a business and press tour.
12th UPOB Workshop 2024
Asphere Metrology
12 March | 12.30 – 5.30 PM 13 March | 8.30 AM – 12.30 PM
For the second time, the Competence Centre for Ultra-Precise Surface Processing UPOB is organising a top-class expert workshop to accompany the W3+ Fair in Wetzlar: In order to manufacture ultra-precise and high-tech optical components and to be capable of further miniaturization, reliable and extremely precise measurement technology is required. In the field of asphere metrology, many new advancements were achieved, new measurement procedures were developed and precision was noticeably improved.
Benefit from the latest insights!
The workshop is structured into the following 3 sessions:
- Assembly of Optical Systems
- Free-Form and Space Optics
- Measurements on current HLEM samples
The workshop will be held in English.
IHK Conference AI
9.00 AM – 2.30 PM | Admission from 8.00 AM
How can artificial intelligence be used in companies?
Artificial intelligence (AI) offers enormous growth potential for companies – including SMEs. Among other things, the use of AI helps to improve product quality, increase productivity and enable a personalized sales experience.
At the IHK Lahn-Dill and IHK Hessen innovativ conference, competence centers and service providers will be presented who will use practical examples to show how companies can benefit from the use of AI and which experts can provide assistance.
The conference will be held in German and is subject to a fee.Tickets are available directly from the W3+ Fair Ticketshop.
Hessen in Space
Panel Discussion & Get-together
1.30 PM | Panel Discussion | en-tech.Stage
Aerospace in Hessen – ESOC and EUMETSAT in Darmstadt immediately spring to mind. Hessen has much more to offer in the space sector: around 50 university chairs and professorships deal with space-related topics, and over 100 companies in Hessen – most of them SMEs – develop and produce or provide space-related services.
The event will be held in German – Please register for the get-together in the ticket shop!
AI-Consulting
in the nele.ai Lounge
10 AM – 4.30 PM | Foyer
High-quality AI consulting at the W3+ Fair – discovering potential supported by nele.ai
At this year’s W3+ Fair in Wetzlar nele.ai opens the doors to the future and offers personalised advice in the KI-Lounge directly in the foyer with 3 AI experts.
Take advantage of this unique opportunity to a free expert discussion in the exclusive setting of our KI-Lounge in the foyer. The AI specialists from nele.ai offer you customised insights into how artificial intelligence can revolutionise your business processes.
From individual process analyses to general know-how
know-how on increasing productivity through AI technology – the experts will equip you for the digital
digital tomorrow.
We know that every minute of your time is valuable, which is why our counselling slots are designed for 20
intensive minutes. Concise, to the point and tailored to your needs,
you will gain insight into customised AI solutions to drive your business forward.
Don’t miss your opportunity to gain this competitive advantage. The window of opportunity at the
W3+ Fair are closing fast, as places for AI consulting are limited.
Secure your free consultation appointment now and get started in the era of increased efficiency through AI.
Fusion energy - a topic for the future
2.30 PM | Lecture Block „Fusion Energy supply chain challenges in Germany“ | en-tech.Stage
4.00 PM | Discussion Round „Heraeus Fusion Coffee“ | Foyer
Everyone is talking about fusion energy as the CO2-neutral energy of the future. On the recommendation of a commission of experts, the BMBF published a position paper in June 2023 and is working on comprehensive research funding. Several companies are vying for the best technology. But what are the requirements for the supply chain? Moderated by Dr. Frank Nürnberg from Heraeus Quarzglas, the pioneers of fusion research will present their ideas, requirements and challenges in implementation. It’s all about optics, photonics, lasers, electronics, mechanics, logistics, infrastructure, vacuum, clean room technology and, of course, talent. Discuss with the experts after the lecture block at the “Heraeus Fusion Coffee” in the foyer.
Moderation: Dr. Frank Nürnberg/ Heraeus Quarzglas
Please register for the get-together in the ticket store!
Business Angels Mittelhessen
Start-up Matching
3.00 – 4.30 PM
The Business Angels Mittelhessen invite you to the Start-up Matching Event as part of the W3+ Fair. Get in touch with innovative start-ups, investors and technology companies. Visit the exhibition area of the fair and then the matching event in separate rooms of the Buderus Arena.
Registration is requested!
C-Level Networking
13 March
5.00 – 6.00 PM | Exklusive C-Level Networking | Foyer
With exhibitors, partners, speakers and guests
powered by Innovation Booster Photonics/ Swissmem
For invited guests. Registration is requested!
EPIC C-Level Breakfast
+ EPIC TechWatch
EPIC C-Level Breakfast | From 8.30 AM for invited guests
EPIC TechWatch | 10.00 – 11.30 AM | en-tech.Stage
Selected members of the European Photonics Industry Consortium EPIC formulate their needs from the user’s perspective. The latest technology and market trends are also presented.
Participation is free of charge for fair visitors!
VDI Innovation Area + Networking Breakfast
+ Exhibition Tour
10.00 – 11.00 AM | Netzworking Breakfast
11.00 AM – 12.00 PM | Guidest Exhibition Tour
Find out about the latest developments at the VDI. Network with our VDI members and supporting members, co-operation partners and interested guests. Get into conversation over breakfast and exchange ideas on the topics of robotics, 3D printing, virtual reality and artificial intelligence (AI). You will also have the opportunity to get to know the start-up Healyan GmbH. The young, international and multi-award-winning team has developed a very user-orientated product that combines light impulses with music via glasses. This has potential applications in the entertainment sector, but also for light therapy solutions in medicine. Try out the glasses!
The guided tour of selected exhibitors will take place afterwards.
The event will be held in German. Be part of it! Register now!
BME
Buyers Day
10.00 AM | Coffee Talk of the BME
Meeting of purchasing colleagues – for invited guests and interested parties.
Registration is requested.
TeamMit Live
Automotive Network Meeting
12.00 – 5.00 PM
Meeting of the TeamMit Automotive Network – open to interested parties
Tour, presentations, workshops and networking
The automotive and supplier industry is undergoing fundamental change. In order to accompany this change, numerous partners have come together in Central Hessen to develop a regional transformation strategy and a network for the automotive and supplier industry. The BMWK-funded “TeamMit” project was launched at the end of 2022.
The second “TeamMit Live – Network Meeting” will take place this year on the 2nd day of the W3+ trade fair. The future of the automotive industry is inconceivable without innovations in optics, photonics, electronics and mechanics. At the same time, these industries have faced similar transformation challenges in the past and met them with a strong network.
Content of the event:
- 12 am – in advance: Automotive trade fair tour Automotive industry
- 1 pm – Start of the event at theof the eveng at the en-tech Stage. KeyNotes from Analayst Jürgen Pieper and Prof. Dr. Michael Stephan
- 2.30 pm – Workshop phase with barcamp on the topics of technology, qualification and network structure
- 4.30 pm – Closing & Networking
Access to the event is free of charge.
The network meeting will be held in German.
IHK Hessen innovative
The special area of four Hessian IHKs – in cooperation with the IHK Lahn-Dill, IHK Gießen-Friedberg, IHK Darmstadt Rhein Main Neckar and IHK Kassel-Marburg. With innovative cooperation partners on the topics:
- 3D Printing – THM Technische Hochschule Mittelhessen
- ZuKIPro – Zukunftszentrum für KI Hessen
- KOMPAKI – Kompetenzzentrum für Arbeit und Künstliche Intelligenz
- TRIPULS Media Innovations
- Department of Power Electronics – Universität Kassel
Network with the experts and advisors at the IHK! Here you will receive support in implementing your innovation projects and information on funding opportunities.
Campus Area
Leading universities present themselves at the Campus Area and show examples of their current research work.
Joint Booth THÜRINGIA
The spectrum presented by the companies ranges from components and assemblies with precision requirements to equipment and services for development, production, in particular clean room environments, processing and surface finishing.
Thuringian companies are looking forward to a professional exchange at their joint stand.
Enterprise Europe Network
Enterprise Europe Network – das weltweit größte Unterstützungsnetz für kleine und mittlere Unternehmen (KMU) mit internationalen Ambitionen präsentiert sich auf dem Partner Stand im Foyer mit Kooperationsangeboten.
Das Enterprise Europe Network unterstützt Sie dabei neue Zielmärkte zu erschließen, internationale Kooperationspartner zu finden und Sie international zu vernetzen. Das Enterprise Europe Network hat den Überblick über Finanzierungs- und Fördermöglichkeiten und hilft Ihnen dabei, Ihr Unternehmen nachhaltiger und resilienter aufzustellen.
Jobwall
As a recruiting partner of the W3+ Fair Wetzlar, Karriere Mittelhessen invites all exhibitors to a free coffee.
The job wall offers exciting positions for graduates and job seekers with work experience.
Outside the fair, the established regional job and training portal karriere-mittelhessen.de will help with job and employee searches.
Thanks To Our Partners & Sponsors
