Special Events
13th High Level Expert Meeting
Start: 11.30 AM | Conference on 28 March: 12.30 – 5.00 PM | On 29 March: 8.30 AM – 12.30 PM
In the field of aspheric metrology, many new advances have been made, new measurement methods developed and precision significantly improved. In previous High-Level Expert Meetings (HLEM) and workshops, developers, manufacturers and users have confirmed the great interest in aspheric metrology.
In order to be able to manufacture and further miniaturise ultra-precise and high-tech optical components, reliable and extremely precise measurement technology is required. Both the measurement systems presented and the results of interlaboratory tests show the enormous potential of this field of technology.
There is a fee for participation!
The meeting will be held in English.
IVAM Expert Group Meeting Photonics
As a key technology of digitalisation, photonics is becoming increasingly important in the high-tech industry. Photonic sensors, such as cameras or radar systems for optical distance and speed measurement, have become an integral part of everyday life. IVAM invites the Focus Group Photonics and interested parties to the W3+ Fair.
IVAM-Session from 2:00 – 3:00 PM on the topic of photonics & microtechnology | Subsequent network meeting of the focus group
If you are interested, please book the free additional ticket “IVAM Fachgruppe Photonik” in the ticket shop.

en-tech.talks - Conference for Enabling Technologies
Launched in 2020, the en-tech.talks will once again provide information on the latest technological developments.
These are the trending topics in Wetzlar 2023:
- Optics Manufacturing
- Innovations from Hesse
- Market Trends
- Photonics
Participation is free of charge for visitors.
EPIC TechWatch
On 30 March from 10.00 AM -12.00 PM on the en-tech.talks stage.
Participation is free of charge for fair visitors!







EPIC VIP Breakfast
The EPIC VIP CEO/CTO Breakfast at the W3+ Fair has become a tradition: here EPIC member companies meet with invited CEOs and CTOs for networking. The event will take place on 7 July 2022 from 09:00 to 10:00 CEST at the fair
(more information will follow with the registration confirmation via email).
Participation in this event is limited to 1 person per company and CEO/CTO job title. Attention: the number of places is limited, participation is only possible after confirmation.

VDI & Innovation Area
Safety technologies will enable humans to work ever more closely with robots in the near future. Collaborative robotics applications will fundamentally change the way we work together. Find out about the latest developments at the VDI and network with (sponsoring) members and interested parties.
The networking breakfast will take place on 30 March from 10.00 – 11.00 AM at the VDI Innovation Area.
3D Printing | Additive Manufacturing
This is where the future is printed. Additive manufacturing is the magic formula for the economical production of complex components in small quantities. Let the exhibitors in the special area present solutions for your requirements as well.


IHK Hessen innovative
- 3D PRINTING THM – Technische Hochschule Mittelhessen
- AI ZuKIPro – Zukunftszentrum Hessen
- AUTOMATION Automatisierungsregion Rhein Main Neckar
- ENERGY CONSULTING LEA LandesEnergieAgentur Hessen GmbH
- DIGITALISATION DEK – Digitale Experten Kammer mit FTSolutions






Joint Booths
Micro and nanotechnologies are used in the production, positioning, coatings and refinements as well as in the quality control of optical components. At its joint stand, IVAM will be showing the potential applications of microtechnologies for optics and photonics.
The network meeting of the IVAM Expert Group Photonics takes place on 29 March from 2.00 – 5.00 PM – with a one-hour thematic block on the en-tech.talks stage followed by networking.
THURINGIA – JENA
Thuringian companies are looking forward to professional exchange at their joint stand. The spectrum presented for this ranges from components and assemblies with precision requirements to equipment and services for development, manufacturing, especially cleanroom environments, machining and surface finishing.








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.

Campus Area
Leading universities present themselves at the Campus Area and show examples of their current research work.
The scientists are also contact persons for new projects and young engineers.

Wetzlar Network C-Level Coffee
2.30 PM Networking + tour around the fair
3.45 PM Keynote lecture by Patrick Flesner – Investor, board member, author, coach and mentor
„The Leadership House – Systematisch zur effektiven Team- und Unternehmensführung“
4.15 PM
Keynote lecture by Rudolf Scharping – China expert, former Federal Minister
„Perspektive China: Wie entwickeln sich die Weltmärkte“
Ab 5.15 PM Participation in the networking aperitif with exhibitors, partners and speakers
For participation we ask for registration by mail to w3plus@fleet-events.de until Friday, 17 March!
Business Opportunities Mittelhessen
01.30 PM
Registration at Buderus Arena, Wetzlar. Snacks will be served
02.00 PM
Official welcome by Jens Ihle, CEO of Regionalmanagement Mittelhessen GmbH
02.10 PM
Introduction to the region of Mittelhessen – Cooperation potential and Best Practice in business and science by Christian Piterek, Regional Manager of Regionalmanagement Mittelhessen GmbH
02.25 PM
Introduction W3+ Fair
02.40 PM
Discussion
03.00 PM
Start of the guided tour over the exhibition. Visiting “Hidden Champions” from Mittelhessen
04.00 PM
Individual talks
04.00 PM
Keynote lecture
05.00 PM
Apéro
Learn more about the optics, electronics and mechanics sectors, get in touch with world market leaders and find out about business opportunities in Mittelhessen!
Held in English.
Limited number of participants!
Sart-up Matching
The Business Angels Mittelhessen invite you to the matching event as part of the W3+ Fair. Immerse yourself in the optics, photonics, electronics and mechanics sectors, come into contact with the start-ups, investors as well as technology companies. Visit the exhibition area of the fair and join our Matching event afterwards in separate rooms of the Buderus Arena.
Four start-ups will present their innovations at the Matching in search of investors and corporate contacts. The topics include blue emitters for use in OLEDs, patented piezoelectric microvalves, micropumps and mass flow controllers, app with interface to social projects and the world’s largest fully automated product database.
Automotive Tour
The vehicle and supplier industry is undergoing a fundamental transformation. To accompany the transformation, many partners have come together in Central Hesse to build a regional transformation strategy and a network for the vehicle and supplier industry. The “TeamMit” project – funded by the Federal Ministry of Economics and Climate Protection – was launched at the end of 2022 to achieve this goal. To this end, suitable offers are being developed in the areas of research & technology and further education & qualification as well as promotion.
The future of the automotive industry is inconceivable without innovations from optics, electronics and mechanics. For this reason, the project team would like to bring the industries together in a joint tour.
The tour is aimed at: People from companies, higher education and training institutions as well as institutions that are active in the automotive industry or would like to become active.