Consolidation of water exhibitions in China create one definitive event platform

Amsterdam, The Netherlands – Amsterdam RAI, the organiser of the Aquatech series of exhibitions, has come to an agreement with Bridge over the acquisition of their Chinese Water and Membrane Show. The Water and Membrane show, which was launched in 1997 and has grown into China’s leading event in the membrane technology sector, will be merged into Aquatech China, thus creating the largest most comprehensive water event in China. The new event will take the Aquatech China name and take place from May 21 – 23, 2008 in the Shanghaimart Exhibition centre in Shanghai, China.

Unprecedented opportunities in China

The potential of China has been well documented, with some 1.3 million inhabitants driving double digit economic growth. As cities grow exponentially and commercial and industrial output increases, huge pressure is being placed on China’s water infrastructure. As mister Feng Hongbo of Bridge states: “The exhibition landscape in China is somewhat cluttered with events of varying standards. The Water and Membrane show has grown into an excellent event for exhibitors and visitors a like, now with the additional sectors, the global positioning and the professionalism that Aquatech shall add, will undoubtedly bring further growth and improvement.”

Ids Boersma Director of Amsterdam RAI added “We are delighted in completing this acquisition, as by merging Aquatech China with such a strong event we have created excellent critical mass and a base of exhibitors and visitors to enable further growth for the event. Many organisers make the mistake of adding new less relevant sectors in an attempt to create sufficient volume, in doing so diluting the event for visitors. What we have achieved is to create critical mass by acquiring an event that fits within our clearly defined Aquatech concept, something that the visitors will very much appreciate and therefore the exhibitor”

Top quality international water show
Aquatech China is organized for the first time by Amsterdam RAI in partnership with the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade (CCPIT). Local sales and marketing support will be provided by CHC Exhibition Services en Bridge. The show is supported by the Water Quality Association (WQA) and the International Water Association (IWA). Next to the exhibition, the event includes an IWA conference. At least 300 market leaders and specialists in the international world of water use and management will exhibit in 15,000 square meters at the Shanghaimart, allowing users from all industry and local and international government to assess the most suitable technologies to handle their needs.

About Aquatech
Aquatech is a portfolio of the world’s leading trade exhibitions of process, drinking and waste water technology. The exhibition programme provides an extensive overview of the latest developments in the fields of water treatment, transport and storage, process control and process automation, and point of use. Aquatech is for professionals from all parts of the water industry and attracts policy-makers, specialists and those who apply the technology in practice. More information can be found at www.aquatechtrade.com

The Aquatech world series

• WQA Aquatech USA 2008: 25-29 March 2008, Las Vegas (NV), USA
• Aquatech China: 28 – 30 May 2008, Shanghai, China
• Aquatech Amsterdam 2008: 30 September – 03 October 2008, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
• Aquaterra, World Forum on Delta & Coastal Development: February 2009, Amsterdam, the Netherlands