The Big Science Business Forum (BSBF2024), set to take place from 1 to 4 October 2024 in Trieste, Italy, will serve as Europe's key meeting point for leading research infrastructures, major companies, and SMEs in the high-tech and innovation sectors. Hosted at the Generali Convention Center in Trieste's Porto Vecchio, the event aims to expand the future prospects of the European Big Science market — valued at approximately 10 billion euros annually — by promoting the development of new technologies, increasing investment, and facilitating business opportunities on a continental scale.

Big Science Business Forum Trieste: the programme

Promoted by Europe’s ten leading Big Science organisations (CERN, ESA, ESO, ESS, ESRF, European XFEL, FAIR, F4E, ILL, SKAO) with the support of PERIIA, the pan-European network of ILO-Industry Liaison Officers, BSBF2024 will cover a wide range of topics. These include robotics and remote management systems, superconductivity and superconducting magnets, as well as technological innovation in ICT, green procurement, and advanced vacuum and cryogenic technologies. The four-day programme, featuring over 80 speakers from across Europe, is available on the event's official website.

The opening day, 1 October, will feature a series of events and conferences organised by international bodies and institutions outside the BSBF. These include a conference highlighting the vital role of academia and industry in shaping and inspiring the next generation of STEM professionals, as well as an event, promoted by Area Science Park and Ceric-Eric, exploring the hydrogen supply chain in Italy and Europe.

Starting on 2 October, the programme will feature 6 plenary sessions with contributions from institutions, scientists, and representatives of the ten leading Big Science organisations, as well as key figures from national and international industries. Alongside, there will be 16 thematic sessions focused on exploring technical aspects and strategies to boost industry involvement, with particular emphasis on Central and Eastern European companies.

The press conference to present the forum will be held in Trieste on 20 September at 11:30 a.m. at the Palazzo della Presidenza of the Autonomous Region of Friuli Venezia Giulia, in Piazza Unità d'Italia.

Visits to the research centres

The final day will be dedicated to visits to prestigious research centres in Friuli-Venezia Giulia and neighbouring Slovenia. Participants will have the opportunity to tour the Elettra Sincrotrone Trieste, a research centre specialising in generating high quality synchrotron and free-electron laser light and applying it in materials and life sciences.

Another itinerary includes a visit to the Jožef Stefan Institute in Slovenia, the country’s leading research institute, specialising in natural sciences, life sciences, and engineering. Additionally, guided tours of the OGS (National Institute of Oceanography and Applied Geophysics) and the Grotta Gigante are planned, along with a visit to the icebreaker ship Laura Bassi, the only Italian vessel capable of operating in polar seas.

This article is also available in Italian / Questo articolo è disponibile anche in italiano

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