The second staging of Valve World Americas Expo & Conference, recently held in Houston, Texas was a great success. A total of 2,120 visitors attended the event to get a broad overview of the latest technologies, components and systems in the field of industrial flow control presented by 151 exhibitors from the United States, Asia, Canada, Europe, India and Mexico on 26,830 net square feet of exhibit space. In order to accommodate the growth in interest by exhibitors and attendees, the 2013 event was relocated from The Woodlands to the George R. Brown Convention Center in downtown Houston, to allow for the expansion of the expo floor and to increase the space for the conference presentations.
The fact that the exhibiting companies brought over 1,245 staff members (not included in the 2,120 visitor count) to the event, as well as held after-hours receptions and parties in and around Houston during the two-day run, demonstrates the importance of Valve World Americas 2013 as a meeting point to network with the industry. In short, overall attendance between 2011 and 2013 more than doubled.
This event was again collaboration between Messe Düsseldorf North America and KCI Publishing Corporation. Both already cooperated for Valve World Americas last held in 2011 and the Valve World Expo taking place in Düsseldorf, Germany every two years.
“We are extremely delighted with the increased exhibitor and visitor participation. The great event turnout continues to demonstrate the importance of Valve World Americas as a leading and essential fixture in the flow control industry, providing a focused meeting place for technical and commercial exchange about up-to-date technologies and developments in this ever-growing sector. Due to the unprecedented growth of the 2013 show, we will hold the 2015 staging in the larger hall A3,” stated Tom Mitchell, President of Messe Düsseldorf North America.
The Valve World Americas Conference 2013 has followed the successful format of the premiere event in 2011, by having the conference consist of plenary sessions and panel workshops developed by our Steering Committee of industry experts, rather than presentation of papers. The workshops covered a variety of timely topics and issues such as fugitive emissions, valve trim material selection, double block and bleed technologies, introduction to HIPPS and unconventional energy sources, among others. The plenary sessions included themes such as the outlook on energy, the skills crisis in piping design, coal to natural gas repowering and performance testing requirements for air operated valves in the nuclear industry. The event was sponsored overall by Bray International, Crane ChemPharma & Energy, Emerson Process Management, GE Oil & Gas, MRC Global, Pentair Valves & Controls and Velan – with the support of the Valve Manufacturers Association of America (VMA).
“The conference itself was very well attended and served to augment the show floor,” remarked Thijs Elshof, Director, KCI Publishing Corporation. “Almost unanimously, the delegates and exhibitors alike praised the quality of the expo and the conference, and validated our decision to expand the event and move to the larger venue in downtown Houston. We are very pleased with the positive feedback we have received from exhibitors, visitors and delegates and we are glad to be able to facilitate a networking platform for the flow control industry.”
The next Valve World Americas Expo & Conference will be held from June 16 – 17, 2015 at the George R. Brown Convention Center.
