Platform on civil engineering, underground infrastructure, energy, construction equipment & construction machinery
The Netherlands is growing, pressure on underground infrastructure is increasing rapidly, and the current energy and water system is not yet adequately equipped to cope. To make a sustainable future possible, network operators, water companies, contractors and suppliers are working together more and more intensively. Renewed cooperation, innovation, digitization and automation are crucial success factors. These developments take center stage during InfraNXT, which will take place in the Klokgebouw in Eindhoven on May 20 and 21, 2026 and focuses on accelerating the energy and water transition.
With the launch of InfraNXT, the infrastructure sector in the southern Netherlands will have a focused platform that stimulates cooperation and drives innovation. The event focuses specifically on infrastructure within the energy and water transition and aims to create acceleration in addressing urgent social issues, such as the strengthening of the electricity grid and the future-proofing of the water system.
According to Irma de Hoon, Business Unit Director of organizer Easyfairs, what sets InfraNXT apart is its focus and depth: “InfraNXT zooms in on the southern Netherlands and focuses on a specific domain: infrastructure within the energy and water transition. Where other events are broader, we deliberately choose depth and focus.”
The format of the event has deliberately been kept compact, with up to 75 exhibitors making a concrete contribution to solving current bottlenecks in the sector. “We ensure that all sectors in the chain will be equally represented. Everything is aimed at accelerating the implementation of projects,” De Hoon said.
In addition to the expo floor, InfraNXT offers a high-quality knowledge program focusing on current topics and practical issues.
The symposium on the first day zooms in on the energy transition and is titled ‘NextGen Infra: Building energy solutions for tomorrow together. The program will be opened by Han Slootweg, COO of Enexis. Next, Aldo Krijgsman of Bouwend Nederland will give an update on the approach and challenges surrounding the physical reinforcement of the electricity grid. Topics such as intelligent energy systems and cooperation on business parks will also be discussed.
On the second day, the symposium titled ‘The water transition challenged: Smart infra for an uncertain future’ is programmed. This symposium will be opened by Ruud Bartholomeus, CSO of KWR, who will address the urgency of the water transition and the need for accelerated action. Next in his session, Wouter Huisman of Brabant Water will address digitization and deployment of AI in asset management. Innovative solutions for the replacement task within infrastructure will also be discussed.
According to De Hoon, the program emphatically connects with practice: “Visitors come with issues from their daily work and should find knowledge and insights here that will help them act more quickly and effectively.”
Collaboration is an important pillar of InfraNXT. The tasks within the infrastructure sector are becoming increasingly complex and extensive, making organizations more dependent on each other. By bringing together parties from the entire chain, the event aims to contribute to more efficient processes and faster decision-making. De Hoon emphasizes the importance of this: “Cooperation is an important requirement of InfraNXT. Contracts in the sector have grown in size and require smart solutions and cooperation.”
The event therefore brings together different links in the chain. “The exhibitors are deliberately selected for their role within the chain; from grid management or water boards to contractors and from consulting firms to suppliers. At the event they meet each other and the visitor in a setting that invites real conversations about bottlenecks and possible solutions.”
InfraNXT is aimed at professionals involved in infrastructure projects in the southern Netherlands, such as local authorities, water boards, municipalities, project managers, environmental managers, contractors and subcontractors. According to De Hoon, the event offers added value precisely for this target group: “InfraNXT is interesting for everyone involved in infrastructure projects in the southern Netherlands. Visitors will find innovative solutions, relevant collaborations and inspiration to tackle issues faster and more efficiently.” The event thus functions as a meeting place with one common goal: acceleration in the energy and water transition.
In addition to innovation and cooperation, InfraNXT is responding to a major challenge within the sector: the shortage of qualified personnel. To attract new talent and lateral entrants, Infra Talenten is setting up the special square Mission Underground in cooperation with Brabant Water and WML.
This plaza promotes the underground infrastructure sector and aims to inform schoolchildren and students about career opportunities within the industry. Visitors can attend demonstrations and learn about different aspects of the field, with the aim of getting them excited about a career in underground infrastructure.
The ambition of InfraNXT is clear, according to De Hoon: “I hope that visitors go home with concrete solutions to everything that delays or hinders their work: laws and regulations, technical bottlenecks, implementation problems, capacity issues or collaboration issues.” In doing so, InfraNXT positions itself as a platform where the sector works together to build a future-proof energy and water infrastructure. “We want visitors to feel: ‘This really helps me. This is something I can use tomorrow.’ That's the goal,” De Hoon concludes.
InfraNXT 2026 will take place on May 20 & 21 at the Klokgebouw in Eindhoven. Order your ticket now at www.infranxt-event.nl and use code MP1451 to register.
