The 14th EPHJ-EPMT-SMT Fair opens today at Palexpo in Geneva. With 867 exhibitors and over 20,000 professional visitors from Switzerland and abroad expected to attend over 4 days, the event’s status as an international leader in the field of high-precision expertise is confirmed. EPHJ-EPMT-SMT, inaugurated today by Geneva State Councillor Monsieur Pierre Maudet, is a unique showcase in Europe for the professional sectors of jewellery, cheap AAA replica watchmaking, micro-technologies and medical technologies.
The 2015 edition of the EPHJ (Environnement Professionnel Horlogerie) – EPMT (Environnement Professionnel MicroTechnologies) – SMT (Swiss Medical Technologies) annual international Trade Show will take place at Palexpo Geneva, from 2 to 5 June 2015. It was opened today by the Geneva State Councillor in charge of security and economy, Monsieur Pierre Maudet, in the company of Project Manager Barthélémy Martin, the Fair’s two co-founders, André Colard and Olivier Saenger and CEO of Palexpo SA, Claude Membrez.
The EPHJ-EPMT-SMT Fair continues to develop at a reasonable, steady rate as it has each year now since 2002. In spite of a more uncertain economic climate, the number of exhibitors has grown by around 4% to reach 867, of whom 22% come from 12 different countries abroad. The fair is therefore continuing its globalisation while also enjoying a higher profile in Switzerland, since the number of German-speaking Swiss exhibitors has increased by almost 10% to represent one third of Swiss participants. Ticino is also well represented.
Development in the medical field is also noteworthy since 255 companies from the medtech sector are attending, whichever of the fair’s three sectors they are exhibiting in. This demonstrates very clearly that the EPHJ-EPMT-SMT Fair is the major event for medical technologies in Switzerland, and also further afield in neighbouring France. The number of companies present at the Medtech Village, which welcomes some very promising start-ups, has increased by one third.
Innovation and major world premieres will therefore, as always, occupy a prominent position at the fair. Once again this year, like the candidates for the 2015 Exhibitors’ Grand Prix which rewards innovation, many exhibitors will present the new technologies which all visitors to the fair hope to find. More than 20,000 professional visitors from over 60 countries are expected at Palexpo this year.
There is a particularly exciting programme of lectures and round table discussions this year, which are fully attuned to current events and the questions which everyone is asking, for example about the future of discount Rolex fake watchmaking, SME financing or the true impact of 3D printing. Famous speakers will debate with visitors and exhibitors during the round table discussions, starting this afternoon with the great challenges of top replica watchmaking.
In a significant break with tradition, the annual Exhibitors’ Grand Prix will be awarded tonight during the Exhibitors’ Evening. After deliberation by the Selection Committee a list of six nominees was submitted to a vote by exhibitors, and can be viewed on the fair website at http://www.ephj.ch.
“This 14th Fair is even larger and richer than the previous one,” announces Project Manager Barthélémy Martin. “The increasing number of exhibitors demonstrates that nowhere else in the world is there a technological platform in the field of high precision that offers such a concentration of expertise and skill. Even in this more difficult period, everyone understands the importance of being seen, of networking and of reaching out to clients and prospects.”
We look forward to seeing you at Palexpo in Geneva from 2 to 5 June for this year’s EPHJ-EPMT-SMT Fair and programme of lectures and round table discussions taking place throughout this four-day event devoted to high precision expertise.