ILMAC 2021 brings together the industry of the German-speaking region

Michael Bonenberger, Exhibition Director of ILMAC. (Image: MCH Messe (Switzerland) Basel AG)

The preparations for the only physical meeting point for the Laboratory and Process Technology sector in the German-speaking region this year are in full swing. Exhibition director Michael Bonenberger provides an insight into the preparations and reveals what visitors and exhibitors can expect this fall at the trade fair.

Mr. Bonenberger, ILMAC Lausanne took place last year in the middle of the pandemic. What is your conclusion?

Michael Bonenberger: The implementation of ILMAC Lausanne last year was a challenge, as there was significant planning uncertainty on our side as well as from the exhibitors due to the pandemic. With a tailored protection concept, we were able to realize a successful trade fair in cooperation with our exhibitors and thus carry out one of the few large events at the end of last year. All participants were very satisfied.

Were there any critical voices?

Bonenberger: Surprisingly, there were hardly any negative voices, as the visitor quality was high and the on-site offering was sufficiently comprehensive for visitors. There is an exception of an exhibitor from France, whose employees had to quarantine beforehand, which posed a significant effort for the company.

What would you do differently in hindsight?

Bonenberger: In times like these, flexibility and agility are needed, but also stability. Exchange with the industry is all the more important in this situation. Accordingly, since ILMAC Lausanne, we have intensified dialogue with the industry. This also allows us to adapt the offerings and processes optimally to the needs of our exhibitors.

Now, ILMAC in Basel will open its doors in October 2021. How do you assess the situation?

Bonenberger: The need for a physical industry meeting in October is there. We know this from our conducted exhibitor and visitor surveys. However, it will certainly be a smaller edition of ILMAC with approximately 200 exhibitors. We are in continuous exchange with the cantonal authorities and have developed a protection concept that has already proven itself at ILMAC Lausanne. We will implement this again, adapted to the current official regulations.

ILMAC in Basel is cross-border. How do you handle this in today’s times?

Bonenberger: Considering the steadily increasing vaccination rate in Switzerland and neighboring countries, it is expected that the majority of participants will have a Covid certificate by this fall. This eliminates quarantine requirements upon entry, which were a hurdle for many participants last year. Therefore, we expect to offer ILMAC Basel, albeit somewhat smaller, in the usual high quality.

Do you assume that everyone will have to wear masks despite the Covid certificate?

Bonenberger: If entry to the fair is exclusively with a Covid certificate, currently no additional restrictions such as mask mandates or minimum distance apply. The trade fair experience will then be equally unrestricted for exhibitors and visitors. Should stricter protective measures need to be reintroduced despite the certificate, we can react quickly and flexibly. Thanks to our extensive infrastructure, we can always ensure the minimum distance. In any case, we will implement special hygiene measures and ensure fresh air supply. If a mask mandate is reintroduced, it will not affect the quality of participation in ILMAC — we saw this last year in Lausanne.

The pandemic forced many fairs to become more "digital". Do you offer a digital component?

Bonenberger: Yes, our digital offering is intended to be complementary. I see it this way: First, you inform yourself online about investment products, then you buy them live, and afterwards, you gather online the necessary information again. For example: If you buy a motorcycle today, you research online, then purchase it on-site, and afterward, you look for information about rider safety training, travel, etc., online.

What does this specifically mean for ILMAC?

Bonenberger: As an industry platform, ilmac.ch connects the relevant participants of the sector and promotes knowledge transfer and exchange with target groups as an interactive forum. Additionally, the platform also serves as a stage for industry-specific conferences and keynotes, trends, and developments. This happens throughout the year. Immediately before the fair, visitors can find all content and topics on the platform; after the event, they stay connected with the industry and in contact via the platform.

What are the main focus areas of this year's ILMAC?

Bonenberger: This year's ILMAC highlights three main topics. We deal with sustainable handling in chemistry, or as it is called in technical jargon, Green and Sustainable Chemistry. Additionally, the continuous process in process engineering will play an important role, with keywords like Flow Chemistry. And finally, topics of artificial intelligence and digitalization in research will be comprehensively addressed.

You mentioned expecting around 200 exhibitors — how many visitors do you anticipate?

Bonenberger: Predicting visitor numbers is naturally difficult. The experience from ILMAC Lausanne has shown that in these times, visitors attend more consciously and purposefully than in the past. This results in particularly high visitor quality. Moreover, visitors tend to decide to participate somewhat more spontaneously than before. All signs — as of today — look good, and we are confident that we can offer a successful platform. As organizers, we ensure through a strategic communication campaign that all target groups are aware of ILMAC, its main themes this year, and the conditions of participation.

Within ILMAC, the Pharma Logistics Days are also taking place. What are the main focus areas there?

Bonenberger: Very current are the requirements for the transport of vaccines. Also, the demands on the transport of active pharmaceutical ingredients (API) remain a central concern.

Has the pandemic changed the landscape of exhibitors?

Bonenberger: As homogeneous as the needs of our community are, as heterogeneous is the behavior of individual companies. For example, some companies still have a ban on participating in physical events, while others can't wait to meet live at a trade fair. Overall, from our conversations with exhibitors and visitors, we take away that the desire to meet physically again is definitely there.

Is there an event that visitors are particularly looking forward to?

Bonenberger: Yes, definitely our networking event on Wednesday (October 21, 2021) with extended opening hours! And of course, the exciting Maintenance Area. Maintenance is increasingly in focus for technical and commercial decision-makers and is no longer just a marginal topic. To meet the growing information needs on this topic, ILMAC will feature a dedicated information platform for the first time.

ILMAC will open its doors from October 19 to 21, 2021, at the exhibition grounds in Basel. The Pharma Logistics Days will take place on October 20 and 21, 2021.