Record participation at W3+ Fair Jena showcasesCentral Germany’s innovative strength
- Largest W3+ Fair Jena since its premiere in 2023: more than 250 exhibitors and partners from 16 countries
- More than 3,000 trade visitors
- First-ever association delegations from Poland and France, plus Chinese participation
- More than 65 speakers at the „en-tech.talks“ conference on DeepTech, Defence & Dual Use, SpaceTech and more
Jena, 28 September 2026. W3+ Fair Jena has further strengthened its position as one of Thuringia’s most important technology events – in Germany’s leading photonics hub. On 23 and 24 September 2026, the Sparkassen-Arena was transformed for the fourth time into a vibrant marketplace for professionals from photonics, optics, electronics and mechanics. The event was opened by Thuringia’s Minister for Economic Affairs, Colette Boos-John. With more than 250 exhibitors and partners from 16 countries, the fair recorded the highest exhibitor participation in its history – an increase of nine percent over the previous year. Visitor numbers also continued to rise: in total, W3+ Fair Jena attracted more than 3,000 visitors, up eight percent on 2025.
Strongest international participation in the fair’s history
This year’s edition confirmed the national and international appeal of Jena/Thuringia as a high-tech location: more than 60 percent of exhibitors came from outside the region or from abroad, with companies from 16 countries represented. „We look back on two intense days and countless opportunities for technical and business exchange. What was particularly encouraging was the noticeable sense of optimism in the industry. Many companies view their business development more positively today than they did a year ago and expect sales to grow. At the same time, W3+ Fair was more international than ever before and once again demonstrated the appeal of Jena as an attractive location,“ says Nora Kirsten, Managing Director of OptoNet e.V., the fair’s Gold Partner.
Diverse conference programme with some 65 speakers
At the accompanying „en-tech.talks“ conference, more than 65 speakers presented in nine thematic sessions covering Deep Tech – made in Europe, innovative medical technologies, Defence & Dual Use, Precision Optics Manufacturing & Coatings, digitalisation, microtechnology and (Aero)SpaceTech. The opening keynote was delivered by Jenoptik’s new CEO, Dr. Dominic Dorfner. The programme was complemented by networking formats and guided tours of the exhibition, which allowed participants to link the knowledge they had gained with practical examples.
International delegations and first Chinese joint stand
At the invitation of LEG Thüringen and OptoNet, for the first time official delegations from the national industry associations of Poland (PPTF) and France (Photonics France) travelled to Jena – in the spirit of the Weimar Triangle, the cooperation between Germany, France and Poland. The networking programme was rounded off by targeted matchmaking, through which participating companies were introduced to suggested project or research partners. A first for W3+ Fair Jena 2026 was the participation of six Chinese companies, which broadened the international range of exhibitors to include Chinese photonics and precision engineering firms.
Next W3+ Fair Jena in September 2027
„W3+ Fair Jena 2026 has once again sent a strong signal: with this format, we offer the opportunity to come together at Germany’s high-tech hubs, right on the doorstep of world market leaders, highly specialised SMEs and numerous decision-makers, and to inspire the German and European market with new ideas,“ concludes Jörg Brück, Managing Director of the organiser W3 Fair GmbH.
The next gathering of the high-tech industries will take place in spring, on 10 and 11 March 2027, at the high-tech location of Wetzlar/Central Hesse. W3+ Fair Jena will enter its fifth edition on 22 and 23 September 2027.
Free images for download are available on the fair’s press page.
For further information about the fair, please visit our website: w3-fair.com/en/jena
About W3+ Fair
W3+ Fair is a high-tech trade fair with an accompanying conference, founded by the industry initiative Wetzlar Network. It connects the value chains of optics, photonics, electronics and mechanics, creating interfaces for new technologies and collaborations. W3+ Fair is organised by the Hamburg-based trade fair organiser W3 Fair GmbH (w3-fair.com); W3+ Fair Jena has been part of its portfolio since 2023. Internationally, the fair team is represented with joint stands at APE (Asian Photonics Expo) in Singapore (since 2024) and at preXcon in St. Gallen (from November 2026).
Agency
ART-KON-TOR Media GmbH
Phone: +49 3641 2973514
Email: w3@jena.pro
Contact: Heiner Schaumann
Organiser
W3 Fair GmbH, Zirkusweg 1, 20359 Hamburg, Germany
Phone: +49 40 66 906 900
Email: tanja.knott@w3-fair.com
Contact: Tanja Knott
