Industry relieved to have StocExpo back

COME ON HOME

EVENT REPORT • STOCEXPO IS BACK AND TURNED OUT TO BE AN ENERGISING EXPERIENCE FOR THOSE IN THE STORAGE BUSINESS EAGER TO MEET FACE-TO-FACE AGAIN

THERE MAY WELL have been those who, after two years of Covid-related restrictions, may have felt it unlikely that a major trade show would be able to be held successfully in Europe. But that was what happened last month as StocExpo returned to the Rotterdam Ahoy and attracted thousands of visitors to view the wares on show from more than 150 exhibitors.

Those visitors came from all over the world – more than 100 countries were represented, with senior personnel from such companies as Shell, Vopak and other key terminals and storage providers.

Lourda Derry, COO of Easyfairs, the host of StocExpo, says: “It’s wonderful to be back in person. The sector is going through an important transition and it’s crucial that we are able to share ideas and tackle these issues together. I’m personally happy to have seen everyone and StocExpo has, once again, enabled discussion, networking and new business in the global tank storage industry.”

Sachin Mohanani, terminal operations analyst at Shell, explains the value of a real-world event: “This was my first time attending StocExpo in person, I attended virtually last year. You get a lot more out of it in person, particularly when it comes to networking. There’s been lots of topical information about energy transition and security and it’s been really valuable to be here and get insights from our energy partners directly.”

Exhibitor Peter Dikkerboom from HMT, says: “We’ve had lots of people we know visit us on our stand, it’s been like two months of new business acquisition in a single

PICTURE CAPTION: SECOND QUARTER TO BE afternoon! We spoke to a dozen people we normally have to go and visit individually, and they were here visiting us. There are both decision makers here and operations people – people who actually use the tech – so it’s been really valuable.”

HAPPY FACES As well as stands, the exhibition floor saw full robotic tech demonstrations from the likes of SPRINT Robotics, PPG, Re-Gen Robotics and ScoutDI, to name just a few. Catherine Reijans of SPRINT Robotics says: “The event’s been energising! It’s great to do business again with people, connect and move forward together!” Peter Postma of Siemens Energy, comments: “From what I’ve experienced here, it’s more intense and more focused. Everyone we’ve seen has an agenda, we’re positively surprised by the amount of homework the delegates have done. We’re here with our new, state-ofthe-art robotic inspection product, and our well-established tank management system which has a 25-year track record. This is the kind of tech that needs to be demonstrated face to face!”

There was plenty of interest in digitisation, too. Miranda Moonen, director of Maintenance Solutions, says: “It’s been very busy, it’s been crowded all day. We had a lot of terminal maintenance professionals visit because they want a dashboard that is smart and easy to read, even for non-technical people, so they’re exactly the people we wanted to speak to as we launched our new IAM-Datadriven Maintenance KPI Dashboard here at the show. StocExpo has exceeded our expectations, we’ve been the busiest stand!”

Networking was facilitated at the delegate and networking lounge and the VIP lounge, as well as on StocExpo’s own networking app, SE Connect, which brought face-to-face meetings back which took place throughout the three days. Stefana Sopco from Smartflow comments: “Thanks to the app for booking meetings, SE Connect, we’ve had some really valuable conversations that have actually become opportunities for us. It’s made networking targeted and easy!”

StocExpo will return again next year; to keep up with plans and news along the way, go to www.stocexpo.com.