Page 109 - Glass-Technology International no. 4-2019

Dr. Sener Oktik, CTO of
Sisecam, one of the larg- WORKSHOPS
est flat glass producers in AND SEMINARS;
Europe, gave an extensive STEP CHANGE
overview of the develop- FOR STARTUPS
ment of flat and coated GPD offered 17 different
glass for the construction workshops on intriguing
and automotive segments. glass topics, and seven si-
“Both industries have a multaneous, all-day session
growing need for redefined lines followed on a variety
surfaces: self-dimming, of subjects: Smart Technol-
colour-changing, lighter, ogy, Glass & Sustainabil-
greener, more flexible, du- ity, R&D, Façade, Market
rable and reliable. You can Trends in the Glass Indus-
get most of these already try and more.
today. But at what cost?” Since many new innova-
he asked. tions in the future will come
At the end of the Open- outside the glass industry, GPD 2019 AT A GLANCE
ing Ceremony, James the Step Change program
O’Callaghan was an- was introduced in 2017 as 1,000+ participants from over 50 countries – attending the main
nounced as the recipient part of the conference for conference, Helsinki High Rise Seminar and the Management Forum
of the very special Jorma startups or scaleups. This • 17 different workshops with a total of 565 participants
Vitkala Award 2019 in helps the glass industry • 242 various presentations at both the conference and workshops
recognition of all the great develop faster and enables • 280 first-timers
• Over 350 one-on-one meetings arranged with the Brella app
jobs he has been doing startup companies to intro- • Over 700 participants at the Farewell Party
throughout his life, shar- duce their own new innova-
ing his knowledge around tions to the entire group of
the hearts of the
the world and being a true GPD participants. the hearts of the
l
i d
id
i
b
contributor for the entire glass industry by creating gratitude to every-
glass industry. A LEGENDARY this special forum to pro- one involved in making
FAREWELL PARTY TO mote higher glass industry GPD the internationally
THE LEGEND HIMSELF performance. He plans to recognized event that it has
This year’s memorable continue for some time become over the past 27
“Farewell Party” was com- as senior advisor to GPD. years. Thanks to hours of
bined with organizer Jorma And with a twinkle in his work, dedication and a be-
Vitkala’s retirement party – eye, confesses to aim to lief in such a special event,
and he went out in amazing spend only 8 hours a day GPD has reached a super-
style. ‘at work’. star level of popularity and
“This year was literally one become the meeting point
of the highest points in my THE FUTURE OF GPD for industry change.
entire life. Although I may “One of my most impor- According to Jorma, ex-
have looked utterly horrified tant roles will be to keep panding your reach and
when being lifted up by water the GPD network going knowledge, networking
jets on a flyboard in the lake, and help different parties with new people and keep-
I was thoroughly enjoying find the best partners. Ad- ing your mind open are key
myself. Thank you all – from ditionally, I will help trans- to growth: “By sticking to
the bottom of my heart!” fer the contact network I the well-worn path, you be-
Jorma, as the founding have created on to the next come its slave. To achieve
father of this spectacular GPD generation,” he says. new things, you must wade
event, has also touched Jorma expresses deep-felt into the virgin snow.”

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