• 30% increase in exhibition space to 11,500 m², coupled with 206 exhibitors
• Total of 18,428 first-rate visitors, twice as many as last year
• Attendance by Chinese and German government officials emphasizes the show’s importance in the industry
• German World of Laser & Photonics presents the latest technology in industrial applications

The booming Chinese market’s demand for industrial laser and photonics systems is increasing continuously. Consequently, the industry has record high growth potential. LASER World of PHOTONICS China 2008, which was held at the Shanghai New International Expo Center (SNIEC) from March 18 to 20, 2008, once again reflected the rapid growth of the optoelectronic industry in China.

LASER World of PHOTONICS China 2008 set records in every regard this year. After the success of the last two years, it was again the first choice for domestic and overseas companies to present their latest technologies in China. These companies included Trumpf, Rofin, SCHOTT, Coherent, IPG, Newport, nLight, GSI, Oerlikon, OSRAM, Laservall, Telesis, Han's Laser, Wuhan Chutian, Wuhan Huagong, North China Research Institute of Electro-Optics and Shengyang Dalu. This year the show made history with an exhibition area of 11,500 qm, 30% more than in 2007. It attracted 206 exhibitors from 16 countries, 52% of whom came from outside China. 18,428 trade visitors attended the show, an increase of 100% compared with last year. There was a noticeable increase in both the expertise of visitors and their regional and international proportion.

The rapid growth of LASER World of PHOTONICS China attracted the attention of government officials from both China and Germany. Mr. Cao Jian Lin, Vice Minister of the Chinese Science and Technology Ministry, and Mr. Hartmut Schauerte, Parliamentary Secretary of State in the German Federal Ministry of Economics and Technology, attended the show. They both stated that LASER World of PHOTONICS China provides an ideal platform for German and international companies to showcase their products and services in China, which is one of the world’s most exciting markets. They also said that it promotes bilateral cooperation and trade between China and Germany.

A win-win situation for exhibitors and visitors

During the 3-day-show, a large number of discussions and meetings with customers took place in the exhibition halls. The exhibition is regarded as the leading photonics event in the Asia-Pacific region by most exhibitors and visitors. Mr. Wang Wei, Vice GM of Wuhan Huagong, said that LASER World of PHOTONICS is a very professional show with growing influence in the industry. “We saw quite a good increase in both the number and expertise of visitors, and we were delighted to take part in this show. We will definitely be here next year.�?

Coherent also participated in LASER World of PHOTONICS China for the third time. Mr. Peter Chen, GM of China region said:�? We were pleased to see the great progress at LASER World of PHOTONICS China, especially in regard to the number of visitors. The professionalism of the organizers guaranteed a first-class service. We were absolutely satisfied in this respect.�?
David Chong, Service Manager of Rofin, said: “It was the third time that our company attended this event and we are fully in favor of it being held at the same time as other trade fairs. This concurrent staging attracts more exhibitors and most importantly, it brings more visitors. We will be back again next year.�?

German World of Laser & Photonics

The special event – “German World of Laser & Photonics�? –, which was organized jointly by the German Federal Ministry of Economics and Technology, the Association of the German Trade Fair Industry (AUMA), the German Industry Association for Optical, Medical and Mechatronical Technologies (SPECTARIS) and Messe München International, was held as an important element of LASER World of PHOTONICS China 2008. This special event featured 60 leading German companies, as well as a special show area and a symposium on the most innovative fields in photonics technology.
LINOS attended LASER World of PHOTONICS China for the third time and also took part this year in German World of Laser & Photonics. Ms. Isabel von Diemar, Business Unit Manager of LINOS, said: �? German World Photonics is very professional, we were very satisfied and pleased with the show.�?

Dr. Johannes Hain from SCHOTT AG, Chairman of German World of Lasers & Photonics, said that German companies made use of this opportunity to present their technical know-how and achievements in photonics. They also met some first-class quality business contacts at the show.

Accompanying conferences on latest developments

Two conferences focusing on laser technology were held concurrently with the show: The Third International Conference on Laser Processes and Components (LPC 2008) and Optics Frontier-2008. Laser Technology Forum provided information on laser processing technologies and future developments and challenges in laser technology. The conferences attracted more participants who numbered nearly 400 in total.

Strong government support, added value for strengthening synergies

Under the patronage of the Shanghai Municipal Informatization Commission and the Shanghai Pudong New Area People’s Government, the four largest electronics and laser shows in Shanghai - electronica & Productronica China, LASER World of PHOTONICS China, Semicon China and CPCA Show – were staged for the first time under the umbrella of the Shanghai International IT & Electronics Fair (SIIEF). The synergies produced the largest ever electronics event in China with 11 exhibition halls, a record-breaking exhibition area of 120,000 qm and a total of 1995 exhibitors.

Mr. Klaus Dittrich, Managing Director of Messe München International, noted that the combination of the four shows led to a considerable increase in the both the number of exhibitors and visitors. “We achieved this success this year thanks to the support of the Shanghai Pudong New Area People’s Government and the Shanghai Municipal Informatization Commission. Staging the shows together enables each individual event to attract more participants than would be possible on their own.�?

The next LASER World of PHOTONICS China will be held at SNIEC from March 17 to 19, March, 2009.