Formnext Connect: what to expect from the event in 2020?

Formnext is one of the largest professional meetings for the additive manufacturing industry and will take place on 10-12 of November this year. Even if it is 100% virtual (due to the global pandemic), the event will try to fulfill the expectations set at the beginning of the year. However, there are some doubts regarding some aspects of the organization, the main exhibitors or  the planning of the conferences at this international virtual trade show.

The team of Mesago Messe Frankfurt GmbH – the organizer of the event – has made it clear that the interface will be easy to navigate for the user, as they hope to make the participation of attendees and exhibitors as efficient as possible. To find companies and attendees with similar interests, the organizing team has used an Artificial Intelligence (AI) software, Matchmaking, which will offer business contact suggestions, based on the user preferences provided in the registration.

All image credits: Formnext

“Formnext Connect provides an important platform for the additive manufacturing community to efficiently showcase new products, exchange ideas, and discuss projects and business,” said Sascha F. Wenzler, vice president of Formnext at Mesago Messe Frankfurt GmbH.

Exhibitors and meetings with AM industry players

At the start of registration in the new edition of Formnnext Connect, each attendee will be able to place their main business interests. Using the AI algorithm, attendees will be able to contact suggested companies or selected companies, as long as the interest of the user and the exhibitor is confirmed. This replaces the random meetings at a  physical fair, and adds value to the contacts.

As every year, the fair will feature some of the top names in the industry, although in smaller numbers compared to previous editions, this 2020 expects to reach 100 exhibitors in which we find names like: 3D Systems, Carbon, EOS, Formlabs, GE Additive, HP 3D Printing, Markforged, Siemens, SLM Solutions, Stratasys and many more. Many of them will be launching new products at the show. The entire supply chain linked to additive manufacturing in the fields of design, materials, hardware, post-processing, etc. will also be covered, with names such as BASF, DyeMansion, Autodesk; and even renowned research centers such as the Fraunhofer Institute.

The event will use an AI algorithm to find the best business contacts. (Image credits: Formnext)

Exhibitors will be able to exchange information via chat or make appointments for live videoconferences. Alternatively, exhibitors can enhance their profile by adding pre-recorded or live-streamed videos, and thus increase their brand image in the way they promote their products.

Conferences and content tracking Formnext Connect

As in the last editions of the fair, Formnext Connect counts on the TCT Group as one of its main partners in the development of content, basing its developments on accelerating the adoption of digital manufacturing. In this 2020 edition, there will be a varied program of presentations, talks with experts, round tables and additional formats in its already well-known Formnext.TV. The main stage of Formnext transmits live moderated expert talks from its already well-known studio in Hall 12 at the Frankfurt Fairgrounds, where the fair was originally held. The entire content of the fair will remain online until December 31st of this year.

Just like each year, there will be content on Formnext.TV (Image credits: Formnext)

In order to take a look at the operation of the platform, as well as to place the commercial interests of the attendees and find their best “match”, the platform will be accessible from October 28, 2020. Registration is free and is already available on the Formnext Connect website.

For more information about the fair you can click HERE.

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