STUVA Conference 2021 to Be Held in Karlsruhe from 24 to 26 November

The next STUVA Conference is scheduled to take place from 24 to 26 November 2021 at the Messe Karlsruhe. Well over 3800 experts from more than 20 countries are again expected to attend the „International Forum for Tunnels and Infrastructure“.

Even though no one can say at this point when the Corona pandemic will end, STUVA is optimistic that it will be able to hold this unique event for the tunnelling industry in November. Of course, the STUVA will carefully observe the current development of the pandemic and make the final decision to hold the event dependent on the governmental requirements. Until then, as in previous years, everything is being prepared at full speed so that the world‘s largest conference of the tunnelling industry can actually take place as expected.

The STUVA Conference has been held every two years for almost 60 years. This makes it not only one of the oldest events in the industry, but over the decades it has developed into one of the world‘s most important and best-attended meeting places for underground construction and operation, the „family gathering of the tunnelling industry“. An event like this requires a long period of preparation. About a year before the actual event begins, numerous things have to be pushed forward so that everything really goes like clockwork.

The call for papers is therefore regularly sent out at the beginning of December of the prior year. STUVA members had the opportunity to submit their paper proposals by the end of January 2021.

A Variety of Topics in the Lecture Programme

On the first two days of the event, around 3800 trade visitors can look forward to a lavish lecture programme with more than 60 handpicked presentations. Parallel series of lectures for both tunnel construction and tunnel operation with simultaneous translations in German and English will be the focus here. There are hardly any limits to the variety of topics. The range of lectures covers all the pressing topics and current developments in our industry concerning the construction and operation of tunnels. For example, there will be regular coverage of the current major international projects, mechanised tunnelling, economic efficiency and contract design; safety topics, such as fire protection and fire detection, are important as well as refurbishment and planning - to name just a few examples of the wide range of subjects on offer.

Newcomer Competition „Youth Forum“

Since 2010, the “Youth Forum” has given emerging talents in the tunnel industry the chance not only to speak in front of the numerous experts in the plenary session of the STUVA Conference, but also to win the attractive STUVA Young Talent Award. The award ceremony will take place during the festive evening event.

STUVA Expo 2021: The Exhibition Accompanying the Conference – Secure the Best Places Now without Risk!

Parallel to the two lecture series, an accompanying trade exhibition will take place on 26 and 27 November – the STUVA-Expo. The company deltacom Projektmanagement from Hamburg will be available at all times to answer questions from interested companies (see Contact info box).

At the STUVA Expo, domestic and foreign companies have the tailor-made opportunity to present their products and services in the field of civil engineering, tunnelling and tunnel operation to specific target groups. At the STUVA Conference you will find a professional audience with an extremely high density of decision-makers. More than 200 international companies are expected to present their products and services in the fields of “Machinery and Equipment”, “Materials and Accessories”, “Planning and Consulting”, “Construction” and “Tunnel Operation” on an exhibition area of approx. 7000 m². Take advantage of this opportunity to present your company in the best possible light!

Would you like to be represented with your own stand, but are afraid of the risk that the Corona pandemic might lead to a cancellation? STUVA has made sure that you can secure the best places now with complete peace of mind. Your reservation remains contractually non-binding for you for the time being. Should a cancellation or conceptual adjustments to the event plan become necessary due to the general pandemic situation, you have the option of withdrawing from your booking free of charge. For a comprehensive overview and to request registration documents, you can already use the website www.stuva-expo.de.

Award of the Prestigious STUVA Prize

The STUVA will award the STUVA Prize 2021 for outstanding innovations in the field of underground construction at the conference in Karlsruhe. Since 1996, outstanding personal achievements or exceptional overall projects in the fields of planning, construction, operation, safety issues, environmental protection, theory or marketing have been honoured every two years. The STUVA asks for suitable proposals for a worthy award winner of the year 2021!

Exclusive Site Visit Programme on the Third Day

Those who plan to spend more time than just the two days of lectures and the Expo can look forward to an extraordinary programme of visits on the third day. In small groups, the participants of the STUVA Conference can take part in selected construction site and company tours free of charge, which often go far beyond the usual visitor programmes and sometimes also take them „where no one else can go“. In Karlsruhe, of course, the focus will be on the „Kombilösung Karlsruhe“, which has been under construction for years. The engineers involved in the project and those responsible at KASIG (Karlsruher Schieneninfrastrukturgesellschaft) are looking forward to welcoming you as expert visitors and colleagues and will offer you first-hand, in-depth insights into the city‘s first underground railway system, which is nearing completion. Just as interesting should be the visit to the large construction site of the Engelbert Tunnel near Leonberg. Not only the entire operating and safety technology of the two road tunnel tubes is currently being upgraded to the latest technological standards, but also, due to its location in an anhydrite-bearing layer, the tunnel walls and the roadway will be reinforced until 2024 and a steel intermediate ceiling will be installed as protection against the strongly swelling construction ground – all this this while maintaining the complete road traffic during ongoing operation.

The Festive STUVA Evening

At the end of the first day of the STUVA Conference, the now legendary festive STUVA  Evening takes place. However, if you want to attend, you have to be quick, because the number of convinced regulars grows with every conference. No wonder that in 2019 all 1500 tickets for this highlight were already sold out weeks before the conference. With delicacies from the buffet and fine drinks, the festive setting quickly creates a relaxed atmosphere in which it is great to celebrate and network with old (business) friends, and new contacts are made naturally. However, it is difficult to put the great atmosphere at the festive evening into words; it is better to simply be there and experience the special STUVA conference feeling directly.