However, many thought there was room for improvement as regards the linkage of theory and practice. Although conference and exhibition area were located within close distance from each other, the organising team failed to lure enough conference participants over to the fairground. Many exhibitors blamed the “crammed” conference programme, leaving participants too little time for a long-enough break.

While companies had little chance to attract potential customers, the audience also missed out on a great opportunity, namely to compare and discuss the difference between seemingly alike flood control technologies. After all, one sand bag is not like the other and even the flood protection walls, mostly made of aluminium and/or special glazing, are often hugely different!

Not to forget the range of special equipment, such as filling machines for self-closing sand bags, which may be highly useful during critical moments when mitigation squads need every single man to tackle other, more demanding tasks. Apart from a few exotic offers such as weather radar devices allowing accurate precipitation forecasts also for smaller areas, one exhibition stand was looking for a distribution partner in Austria (www.hochwas sersicherheit.de).

Many exhibitors deplored a lack of response on the part mayors and flood combat task forces and that the first Austrian acqua alta alpina had not been visited by groups of young people and schoolchildren. “Floods don’t only occur in faraway places like Bangaldesh”, said an expert, who urged to dedicate more effort to promoting flood awareness among children.
(Source: aqua press Int. 4/2007)