Cities without waste and with cleaner air, traffic without jams, buildings that save and generate energy. What are the advanced solutions that make us more responsible towards the environment and ourselves? The climate change and resource depletion are clear signs of the need to apply the principles of sustainable development in all areas of life.

On 11-13 March the Exhibitions and Conferences for South-East Europe will take place in Sofia, Bulgaria, combining four themes: “Smart Cities”, “Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy” and “Save the Planet” (waste management and recycling). Once again the event features strong international presence – 46% of the exhibitors are from 16 countries, say organizers from Via Expo.

For three days the exhibition grounds will become a place for product presentations, knowledge transfer and business networking.
The interest in the topic of intelligent cities grows. The exhibitors will showcase energy efficient solutions for lighting control, heating, cooling and ventilation. The constantly increasing number of vehicles demands a reevaluation of its organization. „Smart Cities” offers alternatives for improving traffic, parking control, as well as popularizes the methods for turning the traditional automobile into an electric one. An easy and entertaining way to buy a public transport ticket with your cell-phone will be shown for the first time.
Thanks to the latest technologies waste is now seen as a valuable resource. At “Save the Planet” the exhibitors will showcase solutions for recycling, utilizing, collecting, transport, composting and treatment of various waste.

Austria is a strategic partner and Ulrike Straka, a Commercial Counsellor in the Austrian Embassy in Bulgaria, evaluates the event as a good starting point for the participants in the Austrian Pavilion for contacting municipalities and local partners in the context of the new funding programming period 2014-2020.

Never before have the issues of energy efficiency been so closely connected with our daily life. Companies will present a new generation of systems that significantly reduce heat losses and ensure a comfortable habitation. Choosing energy producing technologies is now dictated by efficiency and the ecological footprint. The most rapidly developing segment of the renewable energy sources mix is bioenergy. Cogeneration and biogas installations, boilers and furnaces for biomass combustion. They are an extremely ecological and economically well-grounded investment, suitable for thermal stations, hotels, public buildings, greenhouses, animal-farms, heavy and light industries. During the recent years renewable sources, such as sunlight, wind, geothermal energy and waste, have been reaffirming their position as alternatives to the conventional sources.

The parallel conferences will focus on the following topics: construction & demolition waste & recycling, circular economy, energy production from renewable sources, intelligent transport solutions. Experts will examine good practices for sustainable urban planning, buildings with almost zero energy consumption, funding energy efficiency projects. The issue of how to ensure city safety in the case of various disasters will be addressed.

Among the speakers are experts from the European Network of Environmental Professionals (ENEP), the European Demolition Association (EDA), Euroheat & Power, the International Battery and Energy Storage Alliance (IBESA), the Bulgarian Ministry of Regional Development and Public Works, the Bulgarian Ministry of Environment and Water, the Architect`s Council of Europe, the Chamber of Architects in Bulgaria, the University of Tsukuba (Japan), etc.

Conference Programs:
“Smart Cities”, “Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy” and “Save the Planet”
Virtual plan of the exhibition halls

For more information – Via Expo - www.viaexpo.co