Event organiser Geoplan says that almost 200 exhibitors with around 290 represented brands have now firmly booked their participation in the trade fair for the raw and building materials industry. Around 70% of all the available space has now been allocated at the event, which is being held for the 11th time.
The Germany-based event takes place from 23-26 August 2023 at the basalt quarry in Homberg, Nieder-Hofleiden. It was originally scheduled for 2020 and then put back to 14-17 April in 2021, but was finally postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Trade fair organiser Dr Friedhelm Rese comments: “We are incredibly pleased about the unabated popularity of and support for steinexpo 2023. Of course, we had hoped that our trade fair would remain a permanent item on the calendars of many exhibitors and interested parties, especially after the difficult years all sides had to weather. But even we were positively surprised by the ‘trade fair hunger’ that has manifested itself. It was already apparent at the long-standing return exhibitors’ meeting in April that many were eager to finally be able to present themselves and their companies on site in the quarry again.”
He adds that steinexpo's continuing appeal is shown by the renewed high level of participation from leading industry names such as Kiesel, Komatsu, Liebherr, Volvo and Zeppelin on the construction machinery side and Finlay, GIPO, Keestrack, Sandvik, SBM and Wirtgen in the processing sector.
By hosting steinexpo in Europe’s largest basalt quarry, the organisers say they are confronted with a changed site situation every time, calling for a new exhibitor layout at every event.
For example, there is more scope and room for manoeuvre for demo area A at the 2023 event. This area had already been used for the unique performance shows of the large-calibre construction machinery at the most recent events. This time there will be the additional possibility of creating a high-speed track and/or mogul track for dumpers. An area where construction machinery can be parked is again part of the concept. In addition, the stationary stand areas of the participating exhibitors are compactly placed in this area.
The area for accessories will again be located in demo area B. Compared to 2017, it will now be slightly narrower. The space towards the rear of the upper demo area C is also slightly narrower this time round. Nevertheless, there will still be enough space to admire the dimensions of the fair in 2023 when taking a ride on the popular high-altitude lift. This “wow effect” is an experience that never gets old when entering the quarry at the entrance area. The entrance area will next year be located on the approximately 15,000 m² new demo area D (former backfill).
steinexpo 2023 will also look at ways on how smaller exhibitors can be presented in a way that appeals to the public, even against the backdrop of large dimensions. The area for the indoor exhibitors will also have a dual focus. For this purpose, the previous large pavilion will be divided into two parts – an exhibition pavilion focusing on a specific theme will be open to visitors at each of two locations on two levels.
With the newly acquired technical and conceptual partnership of steinexpo with the Industrial Minerals Association Europe (IMA) – officially since July 2022 – the organisers say a further milestone has been reached in successful international industry cooperation. The new partnership will further strengthen and massively expand the international orientation of steinexpo. Together, the associations of the IMA umbrella organisation represent more than 500 companies in 28 countries. More than 23% of trade visitors came from abroad at the last steinexpo.
