German ‘gastfreundschaft’ at Labotec EXPOsed

Written by Estene Voster, LMS – Laboratory Management Science Magazine

Labotec’s EXPOsed conference took place in October and was a rip-roaring success with industry leaders, delegates, clients and the media all enjoying extraordinary German hospitality. An action packed few days included seminars, workshops, ‘show and tell’ equipment displays, complimentary lunches and craft beer – all in traditional German style!

Exposing knowledge and products was the main aim of the seminar that spanned across four days in Johannesburg, Durban and Cape Town. A number of seminars were conducted that featured both local and international speakers covering diverse topics. Labotec, with its German origins felt a Bierfest themed seminar was the perfect fit for the occasion.

When attending an Oktoberfest event, it is apt to dress in traditional clothing which is usually donned by festival-goers in Bavaria and Austria, including the traditional dirndl or one of these vests paired with a pretty Bavarian Trachten skirt and a lace blouse, making a beautiful three-piece German outfit.

The Labotec staff dressed in traditional Oktoberfest attire  warmly met delegates and led them through an eventful couple of days, all while feeding the hungry crowds traditional German fare –  bratwurst and craft beer.

Labotec’s comprehensive range of equipment from over 15 international suppliers was on display and attendees were able to engage with the company’s product specialists. “In exposing knowledge, products and experts in their various fields we hope show delegates the many possibilities that we can offer,” Labotec stated.

The extensive line-up of presentations covered a broad range of fascinating topics across the various aspects of the industry. Seminars featured a host of topics spanning the length and breadth of laboratory information with two seminars running concurrently in separate venues, aptly named the Hofbräu and Löwenbräu rooms.

Some of the highlights include presentations by both local and international key opinion leaders, on topics including: Pipette like a pro, presented by the Swiss, Hans Rudolph Merz, from Integra Biosciences, while SA Grain Lab, presented a captivating presentation by Theresa De Beer, a specialist analyst, on the topic of Dough rheology as a predictive tool for the baking industry.

Other high points included the following topics, Using assisted reproduction technology (ART) to save endangered species, which was presented by Dr Hendrik Hansen from Embryo Plus, Modern Stability Testing for Pharma and Biotech companies, delivered by Michael Holzwarth from Weiss in Germany. A session by Willi Hüsler from Buchi, Switzerland on Spray-drying in various applications from food, pharmacy till polymers – requirements, tips, tricks and possibilities, and How to overcome daily lab challenges related to water purity for chromatography, cell culture, and molecular biology, given by Natasha Malan from Labotec.

The conference was a great accomplishment. Labotec endeavoured to join a number of seemingly unrelated forces: science, seminars, and fun, which turned out to be a huge success.