Platform on civil engineering, underground infrastructure, energy, construction equipment & construction machinery
On May 20 and 21, the first edition of InfraNXT took place at the Klokgebouw in Eindhoven. With 1,791 visitors from the world of energy, water and underground infrastructure in the south of the Netherlands, the organization looks back on a successful kickoff of a new platform where solutions, cooperation and implementation are central.
Supported by launching partners from grid management, water companies and contractors, InfraNXT brought professionals from the sector together around major social issues. On the expo floor, over 65 exhibitors presented their solutions to issues such as grid congestion, energy transition, water management, circularity and staff shortages. The combination of innovative solutions, a strong substantive knowledge program, practical cases and direct discussions between market parties provided concrete new insights and cooperation within the sector.
One of the highlights of the event was the NXT Insights knowledge theater. The well-attended kickoff by Han Slootweg, COO of Enexis, immediately set the tone. In his opening he outlined the complexity of challenges surrounding expansion of the electricity grid, energy transition and the need for cooperation in the chain.
The subsequent sessions of the symposium, “NextGen Infra: Building tomorrow's energy solutions together,” delved further into the question of how acceleration takes concrete shape. Experts, policymakers and market players engaged in a discussion about smart cooperation, innovation and future-proof infrastructure.
On the second event day, the focus at NXT Insights shifted to water transition. Among others, Ruud Bartholomeus, Chief Science Officer of KWR, gave insight into the impact of climate change on water availability and the design of future-proof water systems. Again, the focus was on how sector parties can jointly achieve scalable solutions.
During InfraNXT, the NXT Impact Award was presented for the first time. With this award, the organization puts innovative products and services from exhibitors in the spotlight. Visitors could vote for their favorite solution, with OXXY BV being declared the winner with the POWERSHIELD®: a next-generation and sustainable protection solution for underground high-voltage cables and pipelines.
After a successful introduction during Infra Relatiedagen in the Northern Netherlands, now also the Southern Netherlands was introduced to Mission Underground. This interactive concept focuses on inflow and talent development within the underground infrastructure sector.
On a specially designed square, students, schoolchildren and young professionals were introduced to the world beneath our feet in an approachable way. Demonstrations and meetings with professionals showed how essential the underground infrastructure is to the functioning of the Netherlands.
That the market has confidence in the InfraNXT concept is evident from the reactions of participants. More than half of the exhibitors have already confirmed their presence at the next edition.
“What we are most proud of is that many leading parties in the sector have embraced this event from the very first edition and saw the need for it,” said Irma de Hoon, Business Unit Director at organizer Easyfairs. “The many positive reactions, also from other major players who are already expressing their interest in participating in the next edition, give us confidence that with InfraNXT we are responding exactly to what is needed in the market,” adds Amber Verweij, Account Manager at Easyfairs.
In the coming years, InfraNXT wants to develop into the meeting platform where the infrastructure sector not only comes together, but above all works together on concrete solutions for the energy and water transition. The second edition is scheduled for May 12 and 13, 2027.
