This year, the high-tech trade fair and conference W3+ Fair in the German city of optics Wetzlar, Middlehesse, again attracted experts in optical and related technologies. Despite the tense global situation, the mood was upbeat. Many idea-generating lectures and accompanying events, new contacts thanks to the national and international exhibitors and the great commitment of the participating partners created a good atmosphere.

The world is on the move – so regional, national and European forces need to move closer together. This was the motto of the 11th W3+ Fair in Wetzlar, the high-tech trade fair & conference for enabling technologies in the fields of optics, photonics, electronics and mechanics, which ended in Wetzlar on March 20. Despite the volatile economic environment, the participants at the event exuded a great deal of confidence.

With around 200 exhibitors, partners and speakers, including OptoTech, Hensoldt, Jenoptik, Märzhäuser, IMT as well as Meopta from the Czech Republic, TNO from the Netherlands and Universal Photonics from the USA, the exhibition hall was well filled. Of the exhibiting companies, 35 percent were from the region, 45 percent from other German states and 20 percent from abroad. A total of nine countries were represented at the event. The supraregional exhibitors once again benefited from the easy networking with the economically strong industrial region. More than 2000 trade visitors found their way to the Buderus Arena Wetzlar this year – an increase of around five percent on the previous year.

Project director Jörg Brück is more than satisfied: “I am still delighted with all the positive feedback. Our trade fair provides the right framework for what high-tech companies need for the future: Simple preparation, uncomplicated networking, good professional impetus and a very positive atmosphere in which new, joint ideas can emerge. We have big plans with this concept in Jena and Wetzlar, but also at other locations.”

The stage program of the accompanying conference “en-tech.talks” was initially in the hands of the region's big players: Carl Zeiss SMT, PVA Tepla, KLA, the University of Applied Science and the Justus Liebig University Giessen impressively demonstrated how Central Hesse is positioning itself as a key region for the semiconductor industry and as a research and development location. The look into the “future of laser development” met with great interest, also thanks to the presentation by Focused Energy from Darmstadt - one of the German pioneers of laser fusion. The topic of AI also received a lot of attention: whether at the AI conference or the presentations “AI in purchasing” and “AI as an innovation booster” – the opportunities of this disruptive technology were highlighted for many areas of business.    

The first meeting of the “Security & Defense” specialist group founded by Spectaris was very well received: With Zeiss, Hensoldt and the German Armed Forces, important players in the industry were represented at the trade fair.

This year’s user focus areas at the trade fair – Medical Technology and Automotive – were geared towards the traditionally strong economic sectors in the region. Many members of the regional automotive transformation network accepted the invitation and were given an expert tour of the trade fair. The same applied to the Healthcare / LifeScience user industry: The lecture block on the opportunities of this promising market featured top-class speakers from industry giants Abott and CSL Behring.

In Jena, the W3+ Fair will open its doors on September 24 / 25, 2025. The next W3+ Fair in Wetzlar will take place on March 18 / 19, 2026.