World Dredging Congress XX: Registration Opens (Belgium)

Registration opening for WODCON XX  is now announced on its website.

CEDA/WEDA/EADA Members will be honoured a special member fee. Early bird registrations are available until 15th March 2013. Experts representing manufacturers, universities, research institutes, consultants, contractors, port & harbour authorities, government agencies and public authorities working in the dredging and related fields are invited to attend the WODCON XX.

The technical sessions – an exceptional concentration of knowledge and experience

WODCON XX will showcase around 120 technical presentations by experts from all over the world. The technical sessions will run from Tuesday 4 June to Thursday 6 June in three parallel tracks. The Technical Papers committee has selected the most vivid abstracts to build the technical programme around seven main topics. The topics include:

• Alluvial and Deep Sea Mining

• Environmental Issues

• Management and Economics

• Management of Sediments

• Methods, Equipment & Techniques

• Regulatory Issues

The papers cover the design and execution of dredging projects and tools from mathematical models to machines – a combination of knowledge and understanding, skill, cleverness, inventiveness, creativity and passion brought to concrete achievement. In other words: the Art of Dredging. All the papers have been peer reviewed and published in the congress proceedings. The list of invited authors is available on the website.

The exhibition – with the latest products and services of the world’s leading companies’ and much more

Complementing the technical discussions will be a dredging exhibition, which allows leading companies from around the world to demonstrate their latest products and services. The exhibition area doubles as the space for refreshment breaks, so this will be a busy area for networking and doing business, as well as simply catching up with old friends.

Field trips

A superb programme of technical visits is planned for the last Congress day. Delegates may choose from a boat trip down the Scheldt to learn how the Sigma Plan has evolved from a flood protection scheme into a blueprint aimed at ensuring safety, nature and accessibility along the river; a visit to the fascinating AMORAS silt dewatering and storage plant in Antwerp; and an inspection of what will be the world’s largest lock at the Deurganck dock, also in Antwerp.

Partner tours

The conviviality of the Belgian capital will certainly encourage networking too, for as well as being the political hub of the European Union and an important business and financial centre, it is renowned for its restaurants, cafés and night life. Brussels achieves the rare feat of combining small town charm with grandeur and big city facilities. Partners will experience that for themselves, as there is an appealing programme of outings, taking in architecture, surrealism and chocolate. The first trip, though, is to the beautiful old town of Bruges, once a centre for the lace-making industry, and now best known for its cobbled streets and picturesque canals.

Special programme for young professionals

Young CEDA will pick the best place in town where the young among the congress delegates can share a drink or two together right after the Welcome Reception in the Town Hall on Tuesday evening. A not to be missed opportunity to broaden the professional network and start valuable friendships that last for life.

Wider social schedule

This includesincludes Monday evening’s ice-breaker cocktail, a splendid welcome reception in the magnificent 15th-century Town Hall and a Gala Dinner at Autoworld, which traces the history of the motor car from horse-drawn carriage to electric urban vehicles. To round off WODCON XX, there’s a post-congress tour to Dunkerque, France where one of the most memorable events in wartime history was played out on the beaches on Saturday 8 June – more details about times and charges on the WODCON website.

Unmatched opportunities to be visible

A variety of sponsorship opportunities exists. The options vary from overall sponsorship to item sponsoring that meets any company goals and budget. CEDA is grateful to the following companies that have already pledged support to WODCON XX: Premium sponsors – DEME nv, Jan De Nul Group; Silver sponsors – Detlef Hegemann Dredging GmbH, Seatools, Waterwegen en Zeekanaal NV; Bronze sponsors – Cable Arm, Hamburg Port Authority, IHC Merwede, IMDC, iPS Powerful People. It’s not too late to book an exhibition stand at WODCON XX, but, again, time is of the essence.

[mappress]

Press Release, February 13, 2013