GPD Step Change 2017

The GPD conference is celebrating its 25th year this summer. The conference will be held on 28–30 June 2017 in Tampere, Finland. This year we have already 140 confirmed speakers for the conference sessions and workshops, 800 attendants are expected to join us in a new venue with exciting new possibilities.

This year as a special feature, we are glad to introduce GPD Step Change, which is a part of the GPD conference aimed at introducing new technologies into the glass business.

Step Change is a new module of the GPD Conference, which is aimed at bringing new technologies, startup companies and investors together to develop the entire glass industry by finding new concepts, and in doing so increasing the clock speed of the entire industry.

We are looking to further develop the community by introducing a mentoring program to foster new startups and involve engagement between different generations in an open exchange of ideas.

Calling for startups

Currently we are looking for startups, companies with new technologies or research groups with innovative ideas that can be implemented in the glass industry. Do you fit the profile? Your contribution can be software, a design or a product, a patent or an idea, any of which can be utilized within the glass supply chain.

Startups are invited submit Pitch Decks by the end of February to get early bird registration at reduced rates, which includes a 4m2 expo stand, meals and networking activities, early access to the meeting manager, mentoring sessions and the pitching contest.

Face-to-face-meetings can be arranged before or during the event through the Meeting Management Tool. The pitching contest for startups will be extended to all attendants at the GPD, which will showcase the startups to conference attendants, mentors, investors and the media.

Linking the new generation with the glass industry professionals

A mentoring program is going to be launched parallel to the GPD Step Change. The focus here is linking talents within the industry with the mentors’ networks, interest groups and new generation of glass professionals.

We strongly feel through the mentor program, active and retired professionals, connecting with the new generation of glass specialists are vital for the development of the industry and the building of sustainable networks.

We have divided the mentoring concept into two categories, Mentors, who are glass industry professionals or emerging technology scouts, and Ambassadors who are made up of retired professionals.

To reinforce and ensure the success of the Step Change and Mentor programs, we are looking for glass industry emerging technologies divisions, investors, venture capital organizations, business angels, who would like join us in the first of its kind event in the glass industry.

The investment element is essential to aid the event to become a platform for idea and technology development. We are currently also looking for new sponsors from within the glass industry to help support GPD Step Change to bring in a fresh perspective.