2024 will mark the 22nd edition of EPHJ, Switzerland’s biggest international trade show. This year’s event, set to run from 11 to 14 June, will bring together more than 750 exhibitors in Geneva to showcase the know-how and industrial high-precision expertise in the watchmaking, jewellery, microtechnology and medtech industries.
In less than a month, the 22nd EPHJ Show will open its doors, once again bringing together Swiss and international players in the watchmaking, jewellery, microtechnology and medical industry.
This year’s Show reflects the good health of the watch market and its powers of innovation. “We’ll be at maximum capacity,” says Alexandre Catton, Director of the EPHJ Show. “Almost all exhibition space is sold out and we’ll be welcoming more than 750 exhibitors.”
These companies come from many European countries and Japan. They are mainly active in watchmaking and jewellery (92%), followed by microtechnologies (54%) and medtech (50%). These numbers demonstrate the diversification of many companies specialising in high-precision technologies that are applicable in these three sectors.
After hitting the milestone of 21,000 trade visitors in 2023, EPHJ will once again be attracting visitors from more than fifty countries and five continents. Not only will they be there to meet their suppliers in a single location, but also to discover and explore the innovations that are set to shape the future development of these technologies.
Multiple major innovations, premières and previews sure to set off this year’s show have already been announced. The unveiling of the 2024 Exhibitors Grand Prix – voted on by the exhibitors – will celebrate the most remarkable of these innovations.
The other great benefit of the EPHJ Show is that it serves as a venue for debate and discussion, enabling attendees to gain perspective on current topics and promoting sharing by and between experts and prominent industry personalities. EPHJ’s celebrated Round Tables will kick off on 11 June with a debate assessing the current situation of bilateral economic negotiations between Switzerland and the European Union in the presence of the EU ambassador to Switzerland and other personalities.
On 12 June, the traditional Round Table on developments in the watchmaking industry and its impact on subcontracting will see experts and business leaders comparing opinions, focusing in particular on the ongoing improvement in the high-end of the market and the reduction in volumes correlated with the decline in the mid-range.
On June 13, a much-anticipated Round Table entitled “Gold, the price of virtue?” will raise the question of how to develop virtuous chains to increase the proportion of sustainable gold imported into Switzerland – and at what price? Are we prepared to pay a dollar more for each gram of sustainable gold obtained? A major challenge for all players in the gold sector, including jewellers, watchmakers and subcontractors.
EPHJ will also be innovating by organising the Innovation Forum on 12 June at 2 p.m. This key event will bring together the six nominees for the Exhibitors Grand Prize, but will also lift the veil on the major innovations that are waiting for EPHJ prior to their world preview. The Swiss Chronometry Society (SSC), which is celebrating its centenary this year at EPHJ, will also take part in the Forum.
13 June will be dedicated to an AI for Healthcare & Medtech Masterclass on the impact of artificial intelligence in these sectors, as experienced by experts and players in the field, including from EPFL, CSEM or Health Valley. This will include exploring the new opportunities offered by AI in the healthcare sector, finding out about the latest technological advances and the essential regulatory implications.
Another highly anticipated highlight of the EPHJ Show is the Job Dating Day (Friday 14 June), providing an opportunity for candidates and recruiting companies to meet. More than 200 candidates came to Palexpo in 2023 for this event. This last day will also provide an opportunity to assess the situation on the job market with the relevant stakeholders during a Round Table dedicated to this topic.
See you at Palexpo in Geneva from Tuesday 11 June to Friday 14 June 2024!
For more information:www.ephj.ch