The GPD tradition has always been one of spreading information and technology
The GPD was first organized in 1992. Since then over 3,200 presentations have been shares at 16 Conferences in Finland and at regional venues. More than 14,600 glass professionals have attended these events, including 1,180 speakers. Over 10,000 pages of technical information have been published.
The world´s leading glass conference, GPD, brings its special regional application to Istanbul, Turkey, now for the fourth time 7-10 March 2018. The GPD programme, to be organized in conjunction with the Eurasia Window, Glass and Door Exhibition, puts a special emphasis on new innovations in the design, use and processing of glass.
“The GPD tradition has always been one of spreading information and technology through information sharing,” says GPD Chairman Jorma Vitkala. ”This time we will create a new type of venue set-up designated to promote the effective exchange of recent technology. The arrangement will provide opportunities for start-up companies, as well as established firms to present their latest innovations for both seminar and exhibition participants. The seminar and Step Change are open to all trade fair visitors free-of-charge.”
”We encourage all who are interested in participating in this innovative event to submit their proposals on innovations and facts and timing of their market entry. Funding in support of participation for start-up companies and research institutions may be available on request,” Vitkala continues.
The fourth GPD Istanbul Conference has been developed in many ways in comparison with previous events. The venue is new and so is the program timing. The GPD seminar is now located in the Fair Area itself to constitute a hub for participants. The previous three GPD Istanbul seminars attracted some 200-300 participants each while the main exhibition drew over 60,000 visitors from 93 countries in 2017.
”We have noted the great interest for a regionally adapted GPD in Eurasia,” Jorma Vitkala comments. ”We expect attendance in 2018 to at least match the past seminars which, added to the previous three participation numbers, means that by 2018 a total of well over 1,000 regional specialists will have shared and contributed to our messages from the top of the glass world. This enables us to produce a program that is well adapted to regional conditions and yet includes the state-of-the-art of the glass industry.”
Presentations of new trends, technologies and applications with simultaneous English/Turkish interpretation will boost the efficiency of the event. Participants can expect case studies ranging from architectural and structural design issues to information of the types of glass used and how the building envelope was made. Processing companies will benefit from the latest technologies of glass processing with special views on how to improve the quality and profitability of operations.
”The main GPD Conference in June 2017 at Tampere was completely renewed to promote accessibility, contact activity and easy transfer between scheduled programmes. As we bring these experiences to Istanbul we expect to boost interactivity and networking considerably,” Jorma Vitkala says.
Step Change is a vital part of the programme at GPD Istanbul. This new platform was introduced at the GPD Finland event in June 2017 to bridge the gap between innovation and the glass industry. Over 30 start-ups from all over the world came together to meet the glass industry to disrupt the status quo.
The need for innovation has become apparent within the industry, which is why Step Change was created and along with start-ups, we included mentoring, accelerators, investors and a pitching competition to showcase the start-ups and their innovative contributions and to reanimate the development of the glass industry.
Finding and identifying early adopters in the glass industry is a central goal of the Step Change. Start-up activities as well as the goals of the investors will be highlighted in the process.