Samoter: a return to fair Verona

Why not visit SaMoTer and also check Verona off your bucket list? Photo: SaMoTer

There has been no SaMoTer for almost six years; how different will SaMoTer 2023 be from the last event?

SaMoTer is back with several new features. First and foremost, this edition will focus closely on recognising and anticipating trends: it will offer food for thought over evolution in the sector by creating opportunities for comparisons and debate between institutions, research bodies, companies and sector operators.

We are convinced that sector-wide consideration about to the new technologies that help companies in this field not only become more innovative and more competitive, but also more sustainable is vital today at supply chain level.

Inasmuch, the 31st SaMoTer will focus on two topics of major importance: the ecological transition and the digital transition.

In addition to the exhibition area, we also believe that content is fundamental for the quality of the event. Consequently, we are working on an intense calendar of conferences, workshops and seminars.

All this will be backed up by SaMoTer Lab, an absolute innovation and the beating heart of this edition, focusing the spotlights on the actual and effective implications of the ecological and digital transitions, namely new technologies, software and automation.

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We have all become accustomed to online meetings and attending virtual events. Do you feel there is still a demand from the construction industry for a live trade fair like SaMoTer? Also, will there be a hybrid element to the show, as we have seen with other events?

Our work over the last few months has involved us in constant contacts with machinery builders and industry stakeholders, with whom we enjoy constructive dialogue, while listening to their needs.

Sara Quotti Tubi, SaMoTer event manager. Photo: SaMoTer

These discussions revealed loud and clear a desire for-face-to face trade fairs, a desire to meet and benefit from hands-on experience of new products.

Given its intrinsic characteristics, an exhibition such as SaMoTer truly deserves its physical space and demo areas: machinery must be able to move and show off in a live context.

As for hybrid aspects, there will not be a digital version during the show itself.

However, we have planned, starting in January 2023, five webinars during the run-up to the event as a way to begin dealing with the topics that will most characterize this edition, namely decarbonisation, digitalisation, safety, training and hire/rent.

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In the past, SaMoTer has been seen as a very Italian experience. Would you say that is still true, or has it become a more international event? If so, why do you think it needs to reach a wider audience?

SaMoTer is evolving and as such greater openness to internationalization is vital. Logically, we are also working hard in this direction.

SaMoTer 2023 will also be the only event in Europe for this supply chain and is therefore an important opportunity for manufacturers, buyers and sector operators to meet and learn about what’s new in the sector.

Verona’s strategic geographical position, among other things, also facilitates arrivals from European and non-European countries.

And for all these elements, we also look forward to welcoming visitors from abroad.

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What is currently happening in the Italian construction market and which segments do you expect to be most active at SaMoTer?

The Italian machinery and equipment market in the construction sector, on a par with the international scenario, is experiencing a favourable moment, as shown by Istat data for December 2022 analysed by Unacea and Cer (Centro Europa Ricerche).

This year’s SaMoTer promises a strong mix of new equipment and advanced technology. Photo: SaMoTer

Imports of construction machinery and equipment, between January and September 2022, came to more than one and a half billion euros, posting an increase of 35% compared to the same period in the previous year. Exports were worth more than 2.2 billion euros and grew by 8%.

We believe that all segments deserve due attention, yet we are also convinced that the solutions capable of best representing ecological and digital transitions will catalyse attention at the 2023 edition.

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The SaMoTer Lab looks like an exciting addition to the event. Can you tell me why you decided to incorporate this new element into the show?

SaMoTer Lab is the latest innovation at the 2023 show. It is a specific area focusing on innovation, offering a stage for companies keen to share content and discuss topic of most current interest - innovation, sustainability, automation, digitalisation, safety, efficiency, decarbonisation and legal aspects.

To avoid spreading innovations all over the show area, we decided to dedicate the whole of Hall 12 to SaMoTer Lab, as a new exhibition area that also benefits from a strategic position facing the main entrance and as such is an obligatory transit point for all visitors.

The exhibition will spotlight the current and effective implications of the ecological and digital transitions - new technologies, software and automation - and will be accompanied by an impressive programme of conferences, workshops and talk shows.

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Can you tell us about some of the specific innovations we can expect to see in the Lab and a little more about the visitor experience?

The other major innovation at this edition is the Digital Construction Site, which will come to life in SaMoTer Lab’s demo area.

This is a full-scale automated and integrated construction site where Machinery 4.0 and digital control technologies will be shown at work for an event with high-level technological innovation staged 4-5 times a day for the duration of the event.

It will also be broadcast live on the screens inside SaMoTer Lab and at the entrance to the Exhibition Centre.

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At recent events, we have seen a major shift in new equipment towards electrification. Do you expect electric equipment – perhaps hydrogen also – to be on show at SaMoTer 2023?

All the latest innovations will be on show at Samoter, highlighting machinery and concepts with high technological and sustainable content.

In particular, there is only one requirement for exhibiting in the Samoter Lab and Digital Site areas: content involving innovation must be on show.

Whether we are dealing with brand new technologies or intelligent components applied to traditional products, SaMoTer 2023 is the showcase that looks into the future of the sector.