Air of Optimism Found at ‘Key’ Biofuels Gathering

The WBM expo ended today in Brussels, having been hailed an across-the-board success by its healthy turnout of attendees – this despite the biofuels sector undergoing an undeniably tough time in recent months.

Around 1,000 people came through the Heysel complex’s doors during the course of the event’s three days – bucking the trend set by many conferences and suggesting that optimism does exist in an industry determined to cement its place as a market of not just now, but of the future too.

Exhibitors were quick to volunteer that the event had proven a great success, with biofuels certifiers TUV Sud speaking for many on the expo floor by saying: “the week has been very rewarding and we’ve made many interesting contacts.”

The company’s onsite representative, Igor Dormuth, added: “As an exhibitor, this is certainly a suitable platform for us.”

Dormuth’s thoughts were echoed by the two women – Annemarie and Sandra – representing Belgium’s own Port of Ghent: “It’s an excellent way to represent our business. We simply have to be here,” said Annemarie.

“It’s been great,” added Sandra. “We’ve made many business contacts this week, seen a lot of interest and have certainly been busy – especially on the second day.”

It must be said that the stand’s popularity could also have had something to do with the marvellous meaty snacks and aromatic (yet potent) Ghent-produced violet genever on offer…

Samantha Swann, meanwhile, a commissioning editor with UK-based Wiley publishers (which produces Biofpr journal, among other publications) described the event as a “good hunting ground for potential authors, as well as subscribers. We are well-known to academics, of course, but this is the ideal forum to find new markets for the magazine among the biofuels industry – and track down lots of technical writers too.”

“Essentially, this is the key European event for us,” Ms Swann added.

The calibre of speakers over the week – who included ‘Sir’ Bob Geldof and Lord Browne, plus other industry leaders, activists, biofuels experts and politicians – was also generally praised by attendees, whether they be delegates, other speakers or those exhibitors who managed to get away from their stands to catch a speech or two.

Overall, and despite a wariness on behalf of the industry to appear too confident – understandable given current market conditions in every marketplace, not just that of biofuels – an air of optimism could be detected as the attendees mingled at networking tables, swapped news, floated ideas and exchanged email addresses. Most encouraging of all, many were looking forward to seeing each other again at the 2010 WBM event.

So, it’s over-and-out from Brussels at the end of the third day – and the third conference year. But, once again, it’s not really ‘goodbye’, but merely ‘au revoir’…

Tony Mallett
Freelance reporter

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