Vitrum 2009 sees increase in number of visitors

The opening day ofVitrum2009, Oct. 28,saw an increase in the number of visitors, according to an Oct. 29 release.The international glass trade show,at the Fiera Milano Rho exhibition complex, Milan,continues through Oct. 31.

Daily statistics show a 2.65 percent rise in the number of visitors compared to the 2007 Vitrum show, for a total of 3,635 visitors, 1,442 of whom are from Italy and 2,193 from othercountries, according to the release.

This focus of this 16th Vitrumis the future. The attention is on renewable energy sources as a means of overcoming the crisis while “tomorrow’s adults” have the chance to experiment with the world of glass. The show features a host of new entries: the green economy, cutting-edge technologies for flat and hollow glass, the Murano glass blowing masters at work andcreative workshops for children.

The show hasthree main theme areas: a section entirely dedicated to flat glass with next generation technologies--cutting, painting, grinding, etching and heat treatment; Italian excellence in high-quality processing at Vitrum Hollow Glass, an export-oriented sector; and Vitrum Energy 2009 that featuresgreen economy and energy-saving technologies.

The two distinctive features at the showthis year are:

- Vitrum Lab, workshop for all visitors, but especially children, that aims to promote the glass culture. Vitrum Lab will offer a window on the works of the famous master glass blowers of Murano and offer the possibility of creative experimentation to 250 lucky children from some elementary schools in Milan;

- “Glass and Energy Savings” conference organized by Vitrum Energy, slated for10:30 a.m.Oct. 29in the “Sagittarius” Room, Fiera Milano. Chaired by Dino Fenzi, president, Vitrum, the conference will touch onlow-E glass, coatings, photovoltaic modules, thermal solar panels, glass ceramics and fiberglass. Vitrum Energy 2009 will be the first Italian and international showcase to present, all together, in one dedicated space, the technologies and materials geared toward saving energy and employing renewable resources.