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The Subcontracting Fair's programme focuses on boosting productivity using AI
News 12.06.2024
The Subcontracting Fair is Finland’s leading industrial event and the largest exhibition for the subcontracting industry in Europe. It will take place from 1-3 October at Tampere Exhibition and Sports Centre. This year’s theme is AI for productivity, which will be explored through a varied programme and an AI-focused theme hall.
The Subcontracting Fair is a significant event for the industry, therefore the programme is carefully planned with visitors and exhibitors in mind. The programme is built around AI, and you’re guaranteed to see concrete ideas and new perspectives —whether you’re a visitor or an exhibitor.
This year’s event will have two programme areas. There will be a traditional Heat Stage programme platform, with programme numbers linked to the theme. For the second year running, the fair will have a hall called Theme Village, which will focus on the fair’s theme. This year, the AI for Productivity theme hall will have its own programme area, and the number of exhibitors has also increased.
“The theme hall brings new exhibitors to the sold-out event, with a special focus on smart solutions in their business, there will be, for example, ICT companies representing system expertise”, according to Fanny Juvonen, programme producer of the Subcontracting Fair.
Pölönen, Partanen and Availa as keynote speakers
Minister of Labour Arto Satonen will give the Fair’s opening keynote speech on Tuesday, October 1st. This year’s event will feature three keynote speeches on topics ranging from artificial intelligence to sustainability.
Wednesday’s keynote speaker will be futurist and non-fiction writer Perttu Pölönen, whose talk will be entitled “AI is coming, how to keep up with the change?”. In his speech, Pölönen points out that keeping up with developments requires constant renewal. So it is no longer a question of what we know but how quickly we learn new things.
“We wanted a keynote speaker who understands the challenges of AI, regardless of the industry. In addition, as a futurist and non-fiction writer, Pölönen can also reflect on the human consequences of AI developments – how it will affect employees and change how people work.”
Karoliina Partanen, a new face in the technology industry and the Director of the AI Finland network will give the second keynote speech. Partanen’s new role as the Director of the AI Network clearly indicates that the topic is now entering the industry in a big and fast way.
Thursday’s keynote speaker will be Ville Availa, who has a career of more than 25 years as an entrepreneur and a business leader. Ville Availa’s speech will focus on building a competitive advantage through sustainability issues.
Interesting programme and networking
Year after year, one of the most popular events is the presentation of the Main Contactor of the Year and Subcontractor of the Year awards. The purpose of the awards, which have been granted since 1987, is to promote networking to support the competitiveness of Finnish production. The Finnish Association of Purchasing and Logistics LOGY will present the awards on Tuesday, the first day of the fair.
Popular panel discussions will take place on each day of the fair. Tuesday’s panel discussion will focus on the overall theme of the fair – artificial intelligence for productivity – and will include a representative from the main partner, Fastems.
The Brella networking tool will again be used at the fair. Last year, 17,000 visitors attended, which shows that people need to meet each other. The Subcontracting Fair wants to enable and encourage networking, for example, by using Brella.
The makers of the future as Thursday’s main stars
The final day of the fair has been titled “The Thursday of the future makers”. Reaching future talent will be one of the primary goals of the Subcontracting Fair in the coming years. The organizers and the exhibiting companies share a common desire to focus attention on the sector’s attractiveness and appeal, especially for students and newcomers to the industry. These factors for the future are, therefore, reflected in Thursday’s programme.
“The Subcontracting Fair’s exhibition committee includes people who have worked in the industry for a long time and who have brought a clear message from the field that we now need pay attention to the shortage of skilled workers and the changes in working life”, Fanny Juvonen, programme producer for Subcontracting sums up.