60 Jahre ILMAC – a successful anniversary edition comes to an end

From 24 to 27 September 2019, the life sciences industry, including specialists from the pharmaceuticals, chemicals and biotechnology sectors, met up in Basel.

The quality and specialist competence of the visitors was very high. Visitor numbers were up by 2% compared with 2016, totalling 12,270. Exhibitor numbers were also slightly above the figure for the previous trade fair. For the first time, more than one trade fair was staged.

Parallel events

One new feature launched in 2019 was the MUT trade fair for environmental technology covering the sectors of environment, water and waste water.

The Forum included exciting topics like "Raw materials and energy carriers – the further processing of waste into new products" and "Digitisation in waste management – a step towards greater sustainability and resource efficiency".

In parallel to ILMAC and MUT, the PHARMA LOGISTICS DAY powered by Lamprecht Pharma Logistics AG was held in Hall 2.0 on 25 September 2019. This one-day event was staged at Messe Basel in order to better exploit synergies, strengthen PHARMA LOGISTICS DAY and expand ILMAC.

On PHARMA LOGISTICS DAY, exhibitors from the logistics and packaging sectors were able to provide visitors with information on their innovations. Those who came enjoyed an interesting Forum programme in an appropriate look for the logistics industry.

The highlights

The 60th anniversary edition of ILMAC included various highlights for visitors and exhibitors in the customary manner. New features included the Experience Zone (providing a somewhat different visitor experience), the Job Fair and a Hologram Show. InnO², the Forum and the Networking Zone had all been redesigned. The Forum was organised with the Swiss Chemical Society, which staged the "Women in Chemistry Inauguration Gala Night" for the first time on 25 September 2019. The Swiss Army with the ABC Defence Corps Spiez impressed visitors with its vehicles and equipment, giving insight into the work of the Swiss Army.

Networking Event and ILMAC Drug Party

On the second day of the fair, the Networking Event was held. Here, the 450 or so exhibitors gave visitors the opportunity to get to know ILMAC and the parallel fairs from a different angle, up until 18:30. The exhibitors provided visitors with music, cocktails and a great deal more for their socialising and networking. The evening ended with the popular and very well attended ILMAC Drug Party.

Facts

Visitor numbers were gratifyingly 2% higher than for 2016. The number of exhibitors also rose, totalling 440.

ILMAC 2021

ILMAC is being held every two years in future, for three days, alternating with ILMAC LAUSANNE. The sector will be meeting up again in Basel on 21-23 September 2021.

Feedback on ILMAC

"ILMAC is our in-house fair: we attained our target yesterday already. The quality is also spot on – the right visitors came to our stand."                                            Michel La Torre from Connectors Verbindungstechnik AG

"We have a regular high number of visitors. The trade fair has succeeded in mobilising the corresponding professionals. We will be coming again."                Paride Bonini from VEGA

"Although we had fewer visitors to our stand, the contacts we were able to forge were far superior to last time."                                                                                         Stefan Hiltebrand from ebro Electronic GmbH