Innovation and collaboration central

Looking ahead to InfraTech 2025

InfraTech 2025, taking place from January 14 to 17 in Rotterdam Ahoy, promises to be another leading event for the infrastructure sector. Annemieke den Otter, Manager Exhibitions at Rotterdam Ahoy, gives an insight into what visitors can expect from this edition, where knowledge, innovation and cooperation are central.

With an extensive program focused on current themes in the sector, InfraTech 2025 provides a platform where professionals, companies and governments come together to discuss the future of infrastructure. This year, InfraTech is focusing on six main themes: Underground Infra, Mobility and Logistics, Digitalization, Climate and Sustainability, Human Capital and Replacement and Renovation. These themes have been carefully selected to respond to the challenges and opportunities facing the infrastructure sector in the coming years.

One of the themes that is in the extra spotlight this year is Underground Infra. This theme is receiving attention in light of "space for development. The underground in urban areas is being used more and more intensively, which calls for innovative and sustainable solutions. During InfraTech, experts from the field will share their insights on how we can allocate the subsurface efficiently, taking into account the existing infrastructure, networks and even greenery, such as trees. "It is essential that we start thinking now about the future of our underground space and how to use it responsibly," said Manager Exhibitions Annemieke den Otter.

Submit innovation awards

Companies in the infrastructure sector can still apply for the InfraTech Innovation Awards 2025. These prestigious awards provide an important platform to present groundbreaking innovations that contribute to a sustainable future. InfraTech, the largest trade fair for the infrastructure sector, has been stimulating technological advances for decades and in 2025 will put extra emphasis on sustainability in infrastructure.

The Innovation Awards are presented in three categories: Product Innovation, Process Innovation and Sustainable Collaboration. Entries are judged on their impact, originality, added value and maturity, with a special focus on innovations that contribute to climate goals and the circular economy.

Companies can still submit their innovations until September 30, 2024. Nominees will have the opportunity to present their entries to the jury in December, after which the winners will be announced during InfraTech on January 15, 2025 in Rotterdam Ahoy. Winners will receive an InfraTech Promotion Package worth €2,500.

Don't miss this opportunity to showcase your innovations and contribute to a more sustainable future in the infrastructure sector. Register now for the InfraTech Innovation Awards 2025!

New initiatives

In addition to the focus on underground infrastructure, InfraTech 2025 also introduces several new initiatives. One notable project is the collaboration with The Education Factory, an organization that connects education, government and businesses through inspiring teaching programs. One of the projects that will be presented during InfraTech is the Design Sprint: Power Accelerators. ′

In this program, students from secondary schools and MBO will get to work with a real design question from a technical client, one of the exhibitors at InfraTech. "This project offers young people a unique opportunity to learn about engineering in a practical way and gives them a look behind the scenes of the sector," explains Annemieke.

Another important new initiative is the InfraTech Vacancy Database. This platform enables exhibitors to post vacancies, both for new employees and interns, for a small fee. The vacancies will be visible during the exhibition on special job boards and promoted in a section in the InfraTech newsletter, which reaches as many as 28,000 subscribers. With this initiative, InfraTech hopes not only to boost employment in the sector, but also to put young talent in direct contact with potential employers.

Talent in the industry

Both initiatives fall under the overarching theme of "Human Capital," a theme that focuses on attracting, developing and retaining talent in the infrastructure sector. After all, at a time when the labor market is tightening, finding qualified personnel is one of the biggest challenges facing the sector. Annemieke emphasizes the importance of this theme: "Next to sustainability and circularity, human capital is perhaps the biggest challenge for the coming years. Finding qualified personnel in times of labor shortages is an urgent task."

Sustainable employability of employees plays a central role within this theme. Annemieke points out that the infrastructure sector should not only focus on attracting new talent, but also on retaining current employees by keeping them healthy and motivated. "It used to be about money and cars, but now you also have to take care of the health of your people," she says. This highlights the shift to a more holistic approach to human resources management, where sustainable employability and employee well-being are crucial to the long-term success of the industry."

Infratech 2025 in brief:

New Theme: Space for Development
InfraTech 2025 introduces the theme Space for Development, which focuses on sustainable growth and innovation through collaboration and creative solutions within the infrastructure sector.

Important Collaborations
Both Rijkswaterstaat and the City of Rotterdam have signed a new cooperation agreement with InfraTech, re-committing themselves as hosts of the largest infra platform in the Benelux.

Tree Square
One notable new initiative is the Tree Square, a hub for discussions about the importance of trees in public spaces and their crucial role in infrastructure. This initiative emphasizes the need for cooperation between the civil and green sectors.

Start-up and Scale-up Square
InfraTech 2025 also introduces the Start-up and Scale-up Square, located around the Knowledge Theater. This plaza provides a platform for innovative technologies in the areas of climate adaptation, smart mobility, and circular economy.

Main themes of InfraTech 2025
The fair is divided into three main themes: Water & Climate, Infra, and Public Space & Mobility, each with specific segments and topics such as digitalization, resilient infrastructure, and underground infrastructure.

Comprehensive Knowledge Program
InfraTech 2025's knowledge program is divided into six themes: Human Capital, Climate & Sustainability, Replacement & Renovation, Mobility & Logistics, Digitalization, and Underground Infra. These themes highlight key challenges and opportunities in the sector.

Available Booth Space
Although most stand space has already been given away, there are still some opportunities to be present at InfraTech 2025. Rotterdam Ahoy is happy to help think about additional space and opportunities for participation.

Plans

Annemieke emphasizes the importance of the infrastructure sector coming back together physically after a period of uncertainty. "The past few years have been challenging for everyone in the sector, with many uncertainties and changes. Now that we have the opportunity to come together again, it is very important that we seize this opportunity to collectively define the direction of the sector." She points out that InfraTech 2025 is taking place at a time when the new administration's plans will be clear, which makes the event extra relevant. "The new cabinet's policy plans will undoubtedly have a major impact on our sector. InfraTech offers the opportunity to discuss these plans, to understand what they mean for the future of infrastructure in the Netherlands, and to determine together how we can respond to them."

In addition, Annemieke believes that bringing the industry together is essential right now to strengthen networks and share knowledge. "A lot has changed, and it is more important than ever to work together and learn from each other. The conversations held here will lay the foundation for the decisions and innovations that will define infrastructure in the years to come." According to her, InfraTech 2025 is therefore not only a platform for knowledge sharing, but also an important meeting place where the future of the sector will take shape.

Energy Square

A new highlight during InfraTech 2025 is the Energy Square, where three major grid operators - Tennet, Alliander and Enexis - will participate in several knowledge sessions. This square is specially designed to discuss the challenges and opportunities surrounding the planned expansion of the electricity grid with a focus on Human Capital and safety. Annemieke den Otter is particularly proud of the participation of these grid operators. "It is a huge step forward for us that these key players in the energy sector are now part of InfraTech," she enthuses. "The planned expansion of the electricity grid not only affects the grid operators themselves, but affects the entire infrastructure sector. It is therefore essential that we act together as a sector to address these challenges."

The presence of the grid operators at InfraTech underlines the importance of cooperation in the energy transition. "These companies play a crucial role in making the Netherlands more sustainable, and their presence at InfraTech sends a clear signal that we want and need to move forward together," said Annemieke. "I am proud that we have been able to involve these parties in the event. The Energy Square will undoubtedly become a central meeting place for everyone involved in the future of our energy grid." 

InfraTech Program Committee 

In the conversation, Annemieke emphasizes how important the role of the Program Committee is in the preparation of InfraTech 2025. This committee, consisting of fifteen members, plays a crucial role in shaping the program and determining the themes to be covered during the event. 

Annemieke explains that the Program Committee consists not only of subject matter experts, but that they also contribute through their networks to bring in relevant knowledge and expertise. "We have been working with this group since March," she explains. "They are people who have been hooked up through the Program Committee network and are substantive experts in the six themes we have selected for InfraTech."

The committee is working in theme groups to flesh out the various components of the program. "We met with about sixty people once at Deltares, where we set out the broad outlines. From there we formed theme groups that continued to work with each other on content."

The outcome of this joint work should be broadly established by the end of the summer so that the program can be communicated and further developed in a timely manner. "It's great to have such a strong program committee because it allows us to put together a program that is both current and relevant to the industry," says Annemieke.