Bilbao Will Once Again Host International Railway Fair and Congress Rail Live Spain
The organisation Terrapinn Holdings Limited, which has the backing of Mafex – the Spanish Railways Association, is putting together an intense agenda of talks and round tables in which the latest trends in rail transport and the main challenges of the future will be addressed over two days.
Digitisation and ‘mobility as a service’ are just two of the topics that will be covered in the 300 planned addresses. More than 3,000 attendees from 80 countries and 150 exhibiting companies will make Bilbao the world centre of the sector.
For the second year in a row Bilbao will be the venue for the international Rail Live fair and congress. The event will take place on 6–7 March 2019. This is one of the most pertinent professional platforms in the underground, light rail and commuter transport sectors. It will bring together experts from all over the world. This year’s event will again take place at the BEC (Bilbao Exhibition Center). It is expected to surpass last year’s attendance figures. It is estimated that there will be 3,000 attendees from 80 countries, 300 speakers and 150 exhibiting companies.
In the words of Sean Willis, Terrapinn’s Managing Director, 2018’s “edition exceeded all our expectations in terms of industry attendance and participation. For the next one, our aim is to make it grow in all aspects.”
Presently, the organisation is working in tandem with Mafex on drafting of a comprehensive agenda for two days, covering the latest trends in rail transport. Amongst them are: the challenges the rail industry faces in an environment of digital transformation, new ways of travelling, as well as the future needs of users.
Pedro Fortea, Managing Director of Mafex stresses the “commitment” of the Spanish railway industry with internationalisation as a way for its “competitive improvement” and highlights that this event returns to place it “in a sectorial showcase of great relevance” within the important pole of industrial reference that the Basque Country represents.
Confirmed Speakers for Rail Live Spain 2019
The main international speakers that have already confirmed. They include executives from the Korea Railway Corporation (Korea); California High Speed Rail Authority and RTA Chicago (United States); SNCF and RATP Group (France); SBB (Switzerland); Indian Railways (India); as well as NS Reizigers (Netherlands); and Rail Baltica (Latvia); as well as the participation of ETS, Euskotren, Adif and Renfe in the congress schedule.
Under the banner “Technology, innovation and strategy for the entire railway supply chain” the congress and the round tables of Rail Live! 2019 will become the fulcrum of international debate on the many advances and their impact on the connection of cities in the 21st century. It is a forum in which national and international railway managers and operators will voice their viewpoints. Attendees will also learn about the role of industry and how R&D contributes to the mobility model in cities and their surroundings.
Key Topics at Rail Live Spain
The main topics on which this year’s event will focus are metropolitan and light rail networks, smart infrastructure, the digital revolution, the Internet of Things (IoT), telecommunications and control and the new concept of stations. The panel discussions will also include other key aspects. For example: MaaS (Mobility as a Service), financing models and advances in ticketing processes. Furthermore, the presentation on the ‘mega projects’ currently under construction around the world are a must.
At the same time exhibiting companies will present the latest developments for the market to respond to these new technological demands.
Major Attending Companies
The event also has the presence of the main companies in the sector. They include Grupo CAF, ArcelorMittal, Teltronic, Ingeteam, Amurrio, Danobat, Idom, Jez, Nem Solutions and Stadler Rail Valencia, amongst others. The organisers estimate that more than 150 companies will take part. There will also be start-ups presenting their latest innovations they hope will revolutionise the sector for the future.
Rail Live! boasts the backing of Mafex, the Spanish railway association, in the organisation of the event. It also has the support of the Basque Government. The SPRI Group, ETS, Euskotren and Metro Bilbao are also collaborating in the event’s development. The exhibition further has the support of Adif and Renfe.
Find more details about the fair and congress, the speakers and the companies taking part here: