GPD committee launches final program

The main theme of the conference is Glass and Solar in Sustainable Development. The organizers expect some 1,000 participants from 60 countries and have prepared the usual GPD quality program ranging from expert presentations to pre-conference workshops, June 16-17, efficient networking and informal social get-togethers. Some special novelties also are on the program. These include the opening of a special Energy-efficiency and Solar Park adjacent to the conference venue, Tampere Hall, and an invitational architect competition for the creation of a permanent landmark associated with the conference and a Contact Forum to serve conference participants.

"We have a very special package this time," said Jorma Vitkala, chairman of the GPD Organizing Committee. "Naturally, we feature our traditional key sessions, Glass in Architecture, Glass Processing, Solar and Glass Technology, Changing Markets and Transportation, Automotive and other Vehicles. A Glass Product Expo and 18 workshops complete the offering. The expo has proven particularly useful for participants who have wished to launch new products or concepts before an international expert audience prior to full scale commercial introduction. But there is more."

The Energy-efficiency and Solar Park is a new concept. Exhibitors from industry, the public sector, research and development have put together an exposition that presents the state-of-the-art in this contribution to sustainable development. The park is open June 17-18. In addition to the displays, the exhibitors prepare themselves to give 10 minute-briefings to visitors, presenting the highlights of the expo and directing people to their special points of interest.

The Architect Competition is an invitational event with four internationally well-known participants. The objective is to produce a creative solution for a parking facility entrance in Central Tampere at the Bank of Finland Square. The parking complex is a new development and architects are invited to take a comprehensive look at both the parking entrance and the surrounding city square. The results of the competition will be announced as part of the GPD program.

The expanded Contact Forum activity offers participants an opportunity to maximize the efficiency of their GPD stay. The mission of the Contact Forum is to prepare the ground for enhanced networking and to enable and facilitate one-on-one meetings requested by participants. This will allow the exchange of views with conference lecturers, other participants and specialists on topics of particular interest. The Forum also will help to identify topics for further exploration and thus enhance future business opportunities and the sharing of new ideas.

"Our intention is to feature the same type of competition during future GPD´s, thus leaving landmarks in the form of “a string of glass pearls” in Central Tampere," Vitkala said. "Each pearl represents leading glass construction know-how at the time it is designed and built, and we hope for the current and future pearls to provide insights into how glass constriction develops over the years. At the same time, the pearls represent the engagement of the city in our conference and development of the conditions under which the glass cluster in the conference home town works."

The Conference Investor Forum also continues in its earlier popular format. The GPD will kick off with a traditional CEO luncheon on the opening day, an event based on selected invitations.

Click here to register. Participants are urged to register early to draw advantage of the special rates applicable to early registration.

For additional information, contact Vitkala, Vehmaistenkatu 5, FIN-33 730 Tampere, Finland, +358 3 372 3216, fax +358 3 372 3180, mobile +358 40 553204, jorma.vitkala@glassfiles.com.