"We focus on content instead of buzzwords".

Today, maintenance is characterized by terms such as digitalization, artificial intelligence (AI) or the Internet of Things (IoT). How do you illustrate these developments for visitors?

Stefan Voegele, Easyfairs: This year, we have decided to dispense with the buzzwords digitalization and IoT when promoting our trade show to visitors. At maintenance Schweiz 2020, we are focusing on content instead of buzzwords and showing how something works. Of course, we talk a lot about predictive maintenance, smart data and many other technical terms at the trade show. But we want to offer the participants something that is tangible. That's why we have created formats that allow them to explore various aspects in detail.

What is the focus of each format and which groups of participants do you address?

Voegele: In our Solution Center, experts pass on their knowledge with lectures and technical presentations. Energy efficiency is an important topic in which the Topmotors energy program, as a new content partner of maintenance Switzerland, helps plan and organize the morning events. Other topics include funding programs, innovative solutions, retrofitting, and opportunities and risks for safe maintenance. Our Science Center is targeted at maintenance professionals in order to provide them with the broadest possible information. The focus there is on explosion protection, building materials recycling, digitalization in the industry, and drive technology. These are all aspects that emerge from the parallel Solids trade show for granule, powder and bulk solids technologies. Another format is the smart maintenance Conference. It is scientifically oriented and includes the focal points of predictive maintenance and smart data. The smart maintenance Conference is taking place for the second time and is supported by the Swiss Alliance for Data-Intensive Services. At maintenance Schweiz 2019, around 100 visitors took advantage of this format, 90 of whom were decision-makers and managing directors who had never been to maintenance Schweiz before.

How are the other trade fairs, for which you are also jointly responsible as content manager, developing?

Voegele: We will launch a trio of trade shows in 2021, further networking related industries. Maintenance Switzerland 2019 was held together with Pumps & Valves Zurich, and Aqua Suisse will be included in 2021. We are launching this trade show for the first time in Switzerland, and I am convinced that we will create another platform for a specialized audience. We already have registrations from leading companies and can count on the support of important associations. We are sure that this trio of exhibitions will also have a successful impact on the visitor side, as there are already numerous synergies among the companies addressed.

What added value does maintenance Switzerland as a trade show have for participants?

Voegele: I think that maintenance employees can really educate themselves with a visit to the trade show, because there is an enormous amount on offer here. In today's world, so much is happening in such a short time that you always have to be on the ball. There are constantly new solutions, business models and new approaches - and as a professional, you can't afford to miss out on the trends. Maintenance Switzerland offers an excellent overview and covers all areas on one platform with business, networking and know-how.

Interview: Yves Ballinari, Inoveris / Easyfairs

Free entrance to the fair

Digitization offers new opportunities for Swiss industry. On February 12 and 13, 2020, "maintenance Schweiz" in Zurich will show how they can be used. The focus of the trade fair for industrial maintenance will be on energy efficiency, predictive maintenance and smart services.

One free entrance to the fair  get interested with the ticket code 2081 on the website "maintenance Switzerland".