Pipeline & Gas Expo, the only European exhibition dedicated to water, oil and gas distribution networks, welcomed around 2,500 visitors through the doors of Piacenza Expo from 29th to 31st May. This number included visitors to the co-located event CYBSEC-EXPO, launched in response to growing concerns over the cybersecurity of energy infrastructure. The mood among participants was positive, with about half of the exhibitors surveyed already feeling the impact of EU investments delivered through Italy’s National Recovery and Resilience Plan (NRRP) to build a modern and more sustainable water and wastewater infrastructure.
Among the exhibitors were manufacturers of pipes, valves, pumps, meters, and other equipment used in water distribution and treatment. Embodying the increasing digitalisation of the sector, there were also software solutions for leak detection, pressure management and water network operation.
Cybersecurity networking for the water industry
Almost 90% of exhibitors surveyed identified cybersecurity as major challenge for the industry and the co-location of CYBSEC-EXPO with Pipeline & Gas Expo 2024 provided a valuable opportunity to network with cybersecurity experts and learn about protecting assets in the digital age. The urgency is clear with almost a quarter of survey respondents having experienced a cyberattack and one exhibitor suffering two in just the past three months. Two-thirds of exhibitors said they anticipate increased cybersecurity investments in the next two years. Many of those who said they didn’t plan to invest more did so because they had only recently implemented significant new defence measures.
“This was the second time Pipeline & Gas Expo – a highly specialised event – was held and we are steadily building up our participation numbers. So, it is extremely rewarding to hear feedback already at this stage that we are connecting the right people – typically senior decision makers – to foster innovation and new partnerships for a more secure and sustainable energy future,” said Fabio Potestà, director of Mediapoint & Exhibitions, the company behind Pipeline & Gas Expo.
