The second W3+ Fair in the optics region of Jena, Germany, once again proved to be a magnet for the high-tech sectors of photonics, optics, electronics, mechanics, and related fields. With more than 200 exhibitors and partners and more than 2,300 visitors, the event underlined the importance of Central Germany as a hub for future technologies. The first-class lecture program and the cross-industry exchange between exhibitors and visitors make the event a launch pad for new innovations.

The two-day trade fair – one of the largest technology events in Thuringia – was once again a meeting place for experts from key industries. Over 200 exhibitors and partners from eleven nations, including the Netherlands, Switzerland and the USA, presented their high-tech products and services. The number of trade visitors grew by a round 15 percent to over 2,300.

Many major technology players such as Jenoptik, Schott, Zeiss, OptoTech and the Fraunhofer Institute, as well as numerous niche providers, used the platform to present the latest technological developments and make new business contacts. In the Campus Area, the Ernst Abbe University of Applied Sciences presented the results of its university research in order to ensure an improved transfer to industry.

The composition of the exhibitors confirms that the W3+ Fair has grown beyond a regional event: around thirty percent of the exhibitors came from the Jena/Thuringia region, fifty percent from other German states and twenty percent from other countries, mostly in Europe.

In addition to the exhibition area, the top-class lecture program set the tone. Over 40 speakers shared their knowledge on current trend topics such as “laser fusion”, “quantum technology” and “precision manufacturing”. Renowned speakers from Trumpf, Infineon, Heraeus, the Leibniz Institute IPHT and various Fraunhofer Institutes, among others, met with great interest and a knowledgeable audience.

Lively networking also played a central role at this year's trade fair: at the “After-Work Drink” and the subsequent exhibitor evening “W3+ and Friends”, exhibitors and trade visitors had the opportunity to talk to new contacts and deepen existing ones in an uncomplicated manner.

In addition to the gold partners OptoNet and EPIC, many specialist networks were once again on board as partners, including OptecNet Deutschland, the industry association Spectaris, Photonics Germany, IVAM, Spectronet and others. There is once again a great deal of support from the region, for example from the Thuringian Cluster Management of LEG Thüringen, ThZM Thuringian Center for Mechanical Engineering, Tridelta Campus, Medways, the EEN Enterprise Europe Network and the Thuringian Chamber of Industry and Commerce working group.

“With the W3+ Fair, Thuringia and the whole of Central Germany are underpinning their status as innovation locations,” confirms OptoNet managing director Anke Siegmeier. ”With the help of the fair, we want to further strengthen and expand the regional network and show the participating companies new opportunities for growth.”

The next edition of the W3+ Fair Jena will take place on September 24 + 25, 2025. On March 19 + 20, 2025, the W3+ Fair will already be present in Wetzlar/ Germany.