glasstec Preview 2024: a successful networking event

19 exhibitors and 24 journalists from around the world took part in the fair to establish contacts, exchange news and talk about the future of the glass industry.

Establishing contacts with relevant industry journalists and increasing media presence in the run-up to the world’s leading trade fair for the glass industry was the aim of the exclusive glasstec Preview networking event at Messe Düsseldorf on June 13 and 14, 2024. The two-day event form is part of glasstec’s press services and enables exhibitors presenting your innovations, new products and services to industry journalists before the fair. “By organizing glasstec Preview as the world’s leading trade fair, we want to create additional added value,” says glasstec director Lars Wismer. “What counts for us here is class, not mass. We felt it was important to create a place where real face-to-face conversation is possible, because in this dynamic world there is usually very little time for this. We wanted to give exhibitors and journalists this valuable time with glasstec Preview – before the fair starts on October 22.”

Two days of topics and conversations about glass

The invitation to Düsseldorf was accepted by 19 exhibitors from various sectors of the glass industry and 24 media representatives from 11 countries. For two days they had the opportunity to have a deep exchange of opinions. As a warm-up and first meet and greet, the glasstec Preview started with an evening meeting at the legendary rooftop bar “Otto’s Skybar” at the Lindner Hotel in Düsseldorf on June 13. Over culinary delights and cool drinks, exhibitors, journalists and the glasstec team gathered and set the mood for intense exchange of opinions next Friday. On June 14, 2024, glasstec Preview participants gathered in the new, modern conference rooms of Messe Düsseldorf to take part in a networking program divided into two sessions: in Talk-Session #1, journalists were invited to visit the companies they wanted to talk to at tables. In Talk-Session #2 it was exactly the opposite. The journalists present sat down at the tables, and the company representatives were asked to select the media representatives they wanted to contact. “We deliberately designed glasstec Preview to give all participants – exhibitors and journalists alike – the chance to get the most out of the event in a short period of time,” said glasstec director Lars Wismer, explaining the concept.

Photo gallery: Impressions from glasstec Preview 2024

The two-day event is part of the glasstec press service and offers exhibitors the opportunity to present their innovations, new products and services to industry journalists before the fair.

The glasstec review gave journalists the opportunity to engage in intensive dialogue with relevant industry players.

During Talk Session #1, journalists could visit the companies they wanted to talk to at their tables.

In interview session No. 2, it was the other way around: the journalists present took their seats and the company representatives had the opportunity to choose the media.

"We managed to conduct many conversations with important industry media," said Markus Gruber, senior vice president of the Glass business unit in Grenzebach. — “We managed to conduct many conversations with important industry media,” said Markus Gruber, senior vice president of the Glass business unit in Grenzebach.

For two days, exhibitors and media representatives had the opportunity to engage in intensive dialogue.

Both exhibitors and journalists were enthusiastic about the event and expressed their appreciation for glasstec Preview.

"The glasstec review was a complete success and confirms that we are constantly designing new formats and services for industry exhibitors and visitors," summarizes Lars Wismer from the Messe Düsseldorf team. — “The glasstec preview was a complete success and confirms that we are constantly designing new formats and services for exhibitors and industry visitors,” summarizes Lars Wismer from the Messe Düsseldorf team.

Positive reaction from all three sides

Glasstec Preview enabled journalists to exchange information intensively with relevant industry players – both in person and in one place. Both exhibitors and journalists were excited about the event and expressed their appreciation for glasstec Preview. “We managed to talk to many important journalists from the industry media,” said Markus Gruber, senior vice president of the Glass business unit in Grenzebach. “For us, glasstec Preview is a very good platform for exchanging ideas with journalists and also provides great entertainment.” Isaac Hamza from Asian Glass Magazine summed up glasstec Preview: “It was a pleasure to be at glasstec Preview 2024. I liked the combination of exhibitors and media. All aspects of the event were perfectly organized. I look forward to the next Glasstec Preview.” Matthias Rehberger from Glaswelt magazine mentioned another value: “At glasstec Preview we are the first to know about innovations and new features. This gives us encouragement. A great opportunity and event that we were delighted to take part in.” The glasstec team at Messe Düsseldorf also expressed their satisfaction. “glasstec Preview was a huge success and confirms our efforts to continuously develop new formats and services for exhibitors and industry guests,” summarizes Lars Wismer and adds: “Digitalization is important and necessary, but it cannot replace personal contacts.”