Lantek data area manager José Antonio Lorenzo presented “Data: The other raw material of sheet metal – challenges and opportunities,” on 28 October as part of the EuroBLECH virtual lecture series

The first EuroBLECH Digital Innovation Summit, which took place online 27-30 October 2020, provided the ‘first meeting platform’ this year for the international sheet metal-working community.

More than 5,500 registered participants from 91 countries accessed the virtual event to watch webinars, view product demonstrations and visit virtual exhibitor stands.

Evelyn Warwick, event director of EuroBLECH (on behalf of the organisers Mack-Brooks Exhibitions), said: “This year has been everything but normal due to the Covid-19 pandemic; and while we were unable to hold EuroBLECH in Hanover, our focus was to provide a meeting place for the sheet metal-working community at this crucial time, and thereby generate business and keep the industry connected.

“In times like these we have to be innovative, venture into new areas and adapt to new circumstances. Keeping the industry connected and providing a platform for networking and knowledge exchange is fundamental — and a complementary format to the live show.

She added: “The feedback we have received from participants was very positive, with many pointing out that they did not expect a digital event to deliver such great value to the industry. Our platform already offered a lot of opportunities to our participants, but we will obviously look at further improvements using the valuable feedback we received at this virtual event.

“With the new year approaching and further lockdowns on the horizon, we are certain that the industry will need a meeting place like EuroBLECH Digital to stay connected and generate business.”

Lantek, a multi-national company that is leading the digital transformation of companies in the sheet metal and metal industry found the event to be very successful.

As well taking part in the the EuroBLECH virtual lecture series, the company welcomed visitors that could register for personal meetings or connect in real-time with 17 Lantek experts available online. In these live chats, Lantek engineers answered visitors' unique questions ‘face-to-face’ and made initial business contacts.

Christoph Lenhard, Lantek sales manager for Germany, Austria, and Switzerland, said: “It was a very good alternative to in-person trade shows, especially in these difficult times.”