LASER World of PHOTONICS 2009 is posting positive results. The event clearly demonstrated its position as the world’s leading trade show for optical technologies. Despite the difficult economic conditions around the world, the show has recorded a rise in the number of exhibitors compared to the last time that the event was held. The exhibitors showcased numerous innovations and made intensive use of the tremendous synergies between industry and science that the trade show and the accompanying World of Photonics Congress offer. The attendees gave the trade show the best ratings in the event’s history.

With 1,040 exhibitors (2007: 1,008), LASER World of PHOTONICS 2009 set a new record. The percentage of companies coming from outside Germany rose from 53% in 2007 to 57% this year. In a survey performed by the market research institute tns infratest, the exhibitors gave the event outstanding evaluations with regard to its character as a leading trade show and its leadership role.

The survey results for the attendees showed that they, too, awarded top marks for the event’s character as a leading trade show and its leadership role, the completeness and depth of the offering, the international mix among the exhibitors and the presence of market leaders.

The exhibition area was expanded from three halls to four, which brought the total to 42,000 square meters of floor space. This additional space particularly benefited the two largest exhibition segments, “Lasers and Optronics” and “Lasers and Laser Systems for Manufacturing.”

With over 24,000 attending professionals, the trade show organizer’s expectations were exceeded by a small margin (2007: 26,655). A slight drop in the number of attendees from Germany is primarily due to the lower number of attending professionals from the industrial sector, which has been hit particularly hard by the current economic difficulties.

Nevertheless, the exhibitors expressed strong satisfaction: Jens Bleher, managing director of Trumpf Laser- und Systemtechnik GmbH comments: “The number of contacts was only just slightly below what we experienced the last time this event was held, and we held some very concrete conversations. There was a particularly strong interest in our innovative lasers for photovoltaics manufacturing.”

Optimistic outlook for biophotonics, photovoltaics and illumination
Besides the topic of “Lasers in Photovoltaics Manufacturing,” LASER World of PHOTONICS 2009 focused on applications for “Biophotonics and Life Sciences” and for “Illumination.” Attendees, exhibitors and media representatives showed strong interest in these areas.

In addition to the exhibition, these focal point topics were also examined in practically oriented speaker presentations. About 2,200 visitors took advantage of the opportunity to use these free “application panels” to gain information about the latest status of the development work and about current innovations. Dr. Matthias Schulze, director of marketing at Coherent, commented: “Our application panel on biophotonics was very well attended. It showed the next steps in the medical progress being made in laser-based diagnostics – a field that ranges from the treatment of aids to the diagnosis of diabetes and offers tremendous market potential.”

Industry leaders participate actively at the trade show
This year, LASER World of PHOTONICS again served as a meeting place for some of the industry’s top executives. At the CEO Round Table, the CEOs and presidents of Carl Zeiss MicroImaging, Coherent, CVI Melles Griot, Han's Laser Technology Co., Qioptiq SAS and Rofin-Sinar Laser examined the industry’s potential in a panel discussion entitled “Optical Technologies – Bright Hopes in Times of Crisis.”

Emphasis on the fostering of junior talent
In order to ensure the success of efforts to foster the development of new specialists entering the field, the trade show organizes a variety of activities together with policy makers, associations, and the industry. These activities included programs for elementary school children, who became familiar with the world of optical technologies by performing their own experiments. High school students who are participating in advanced-level physics classes listened to interesting talks that shed light on the career opportunities that the optical technologies offer. At the trade show booths of approximately 30 of the exhibitors, these students spoke with experts about job profiles in the field of optical technologies and about the prospects that the industry can offer.
 
Close interlinking with the World of Photonics Congress
This year’s World of Photonics Congress again attracted approximately 3,100 delegates from all over the world. The congress was larger, had a stronger international character, and had a sharper focus on practical applications than ever before. The seven individual conferences covered the entire spectrum of optical technologies. A new addition was the “Manufacturing of Optical Components” conference, which was organized by the European Optical Society (EOS). The focal point topics emphasized at the trade show were also examined in a number of conferences at the World of Photonics Congress.

The close interlinking of theory and practice was very well received by trade attendees and exhibitors. Dr. Wilhelm G. Kaenders, president of Toptica Photonics, emphasized: “For us, the congress plays a significant role, because it attracts high-caliber scientists, who also come to the trade show.”

LASER World of PHOTONICS continues to expand its international network
LASER World of PHOTONICS is also still on a growth path outside of Germany as well. During the trade show, a cooperation agreement was signed with EXPOCENTR Moscow, the organizer of PHOTONICA, the most important Russian trade show for lasers and optoelectronic technologies. As a result, beginning in 2010, Messe München’s subsidiary “IMAG – Internationaler Messe- Ausstellungsdienst GmbH” will be co-organizing PHOTONICA Moscow. The goal here is to continue to strengthen the show’s international character. In this cooperative partnership, IMAG will primarily be responsible for attracting international exhibitors, but it will also participate in the organization of PHOTONICA. Messe München will be supporting its subsidiary with the expertise it has gained from LASER World of PHOTONICS.