IFEST 2008

ecology and economy come together …
The first edition of Ifest, the trade fair for environment, energy and safety at work, was held in 1989. Now the 10th edition is standing in the wings. In the meantime, the topics addressed by Ifest have become increasingly important. That can also be seen from the motivations of fair visitors. At previous editions, visitors were looking for ways to comply with regulatory measures. Now everyone recognises the necessity of doing business in an environmentally aware, energy-conscious manner. Companies, villages and cities are now proactively looking for environmental technology and systems that will enable them to work better, more economically and more effectively.

Many nascent ideas from the first editions of Ifest have now developed into economic activities of considerable magnitude. Some have even become internationally significant. That’s hardly surprising, because the environment does not recognise national boundaries. The new Europe is thus increasingly important to Ifest participants. That’s why our gaze is directed resolutely over the borders for this 10th edition of Ifest. Our ambition is to develop into a biennial environmental event at a European level. That’s a date with the future that you certainly don’t want to miss.

International and Innovative
During 10–13 October, 11,498 professionals in the environmental technology sector visited the 10th edition of Ifest, the leading trade fair for the environment, energy and occupational safety. A total of 217 exhibitors provided an overview of their products, services and innovations related to waste and recycling, soil and groundwater, energy, household refuse collection vehicles and sweeping machines, water and sewer systems, and environmental noise, air quality and occupational safety. The formal opening of the fair was graced by the presence of His Royal Highness Prince Laurent, Minister Kris Peeters, Provincial Governor André Denys, and the departing and new mayors of Ghent.

Eyecatchers
The traditional Innovation Route, which introduces visitors to today's most innovative products, technologies and services, was once again one of the traditional highlights. A new feature at this year's fair was the Ifest06 Visitors Prize for the innovation that made the biggest impression on fair visitors. The prize – a sculpture by Raveel – ultimately went to Stradys for their innovation 'PTV-compliant concrete infiltration pipes in perforated and porous versions'.
There was also considerable interest in the seminar programme, which had a strikingly international flavour this year. This was a natural result of the resolutely international focus of the tenth edition of Ifest. The large attendance at seminars on environmental opportunities in the UK, Greece and Hungary presented by Flanders Investment & Trade and IRC Flanders clearly showed that the fair is on the right track here.
Without question, one of the biggest changes in this year's edition was segmentation of the fair content. Finally, for the first time there was a special place for non-commercial information at the Inforama points.

Visitor survey results
The main reason for visiting Ifest is looking for information: 70.9% of the visitors were interested in collecting general information, 39% were looking specifically for innovations, and a significant third reason was looking for a specific supplier or product to solve an actual problem in the company. The principal areas of interest were Waste & Recycling (49.5%), Water and Sewers (42.9%), Soil and Groundwater (49.5%), and Energy (40.1%). The idea of segmenting the fair for the first time was clearly a major success: 73.1% of the visitors found it a good thing. The Innovation Route, a regular feature at Ifest, still scored well: 60% of the visitors said it fulfilled their expectations. The new Inforama points scored even better with a satisfaction rating of 88%. People also did business during Ifest: slightly more than 40% of the survey participants said they had requested one or more quotations at the fair, and 37.9% indicated that their visit to the fair would probably lead to actually purchasing something from an exhibitor. A tidy 53.8% of the visitors made contact with new suppliers at Ifest.
For just over half of the visitors (51.6%), this was their first time at Ifest, while 22.5% were visiting the fair for the fourth time already. The fair met the expectations of 52.7% of the visitors. Slightly more than half of the visitors (51.6%) said they would visit the next edition of Ifest, which will be held in October 2008.

The visitors section of the Ifest08 website will be available in the course of 2007.