IFAT is the world's leading trade fair for water, sewage, waste and raw materials management. The 2024 edition, 13 - 17 May in Munich, is not a standalone: IFAT also hosts individual trade fairs in China, India, Brazil, South Africa, and Turkey as part of a global network for decision-makers in businesses operating in the environmental technology sector. IAWD attended this year's Munich event- not just as visitors, bus as active contributor to the program.

IFAT started out in 1966 as an international trade fair for sewage technologies. Six decades later, it has grown into a global network for environmental technologies, presenting innovations, resources, and solutions in nine trade fairs on four continents.

This year's IFAT Munich counted 2,984 exhibitors from 59 countries and regions, and 119,000 visitors from 155 countries and regions. This is a huge meeting, and a great opportunity to network and meet people. IAWD was represented by Association Development Manager Elisabeta Poci and Head of Secretariat Katerina Schilling. It was an excellent opportunity to catch up with members, such as Hydrophil, Badger meter brand s::can, Diehl Metering, the Hungarian Water Partnership and many others. 

Both IAWD representatives also took an active part in sessions:

This January, IAWD had joined the European Water Association, and Elisabeta Poci joined the EWA Research Member Meeting, an event aimed at fostering interdisciplinary collaboration and sharing information on latest findings, discoveries and advancements. 

Katerina Schilling participated in the panel “Invest in Water – Invest in Security”, jointly organised by EWA and IWA. This picked up the ‘Water for Peace’ theme of the UN World Water Day, discussing the options of politics, water sector and finance to help avoid conflicts and ensure the general wellbeing of the population.

Ms. Schilling took the stage once more during the EWA Session on “Water Qualification in Europe – the challenge ahead“, presenting the Danube Learning Program D-LeaP as an example for the impact of regional initiatives in capacity building.

For more information about the IFAT event and network, please follow the link below. Long story short, this is a huge and hugely important event, and if it fits your schedule, maybe we meet at IFAT '25.