USE, The Ultimate World of Cutting and Welding, will take place from 20 to 23 April 2027 at Düsseldorf Exhibition Centre. The event extends beyond exhibition stands and product presentations. Interactive areas, training formats and meeting spaces will give exhibitors and visitors more opportunities to test technologies, discuss applications and establish business contacts.
Trade fairs are increasingly expected to deliver direct practical value. They must also provide access to suppliers and new products. For cutting and welding professionals, this means comparing technologies, speaking with specialists and gathering information for operational or career decisions. USE addresses these needs through several dedicated zones. Each zone has a different role in the visitor experience. The concept combines hands-on technology demonstrations with educational and networking formats. Some areas encourage direct participation. Others focus on presentations, professional development or informal encounters. According to Daniel Ryfisch, Director of USE, wire & Tube and Flow Technologies at Messe Düsseldorf, the zones will create additional contact points between exhibitors and trade visitors. They will also support discussions that can develop into projects.
Technology testing in the DIY Area
The DIY Area puts welding equipment and processes directly into the hands of visitors. Participants can test different welding processes and compare products from several manufacturers. They can also discuss their experiences with experts on site. This format brings the evaluation of welding technology closer to its intended application. Visitors can experience how individual processes and products perform in practice. Exhibitors can present their systems in an environment where users assess them directly. Therefore, the exchange is not limited to product specifications or stand presentations. Instead, it is based on practical interaction. For exhibitors, the area creates a setting for technical discussions at the point of use. Visitors can compare approaches from different suppliers in one place. The emphasis is on active involvement. Modern welding technology is presented as something to try rather than merely observe.
Knowledge and professional development
The Expo Main Stage will serve as the event’s central platform for knowledge transfer. Its daily programme is planned to include keynote speeches, practical masterclasses and contributions on current industry topics. In the evening, the stage will shift towards networking, live music and informal meetings. Alongside this programme, the USE Academy will focus on continuing education, career orientation and the recruitment of skilled workers. The area is aimed at young professionals, career changers, skilled workers and companies. It connects a trade fair visit with longer-term professional development and recruitment needs.
The Makers Space adds another practical and creative element. Content creators will work live on designs and show how craftsmanship and welding technology can combine in tangible projects. Visitors can follow the development process at close range. They can also speak directly with the creators. Together, these formats broaden the role of the exhibition floor. The focus is not solely on equipment and processes. It also includes the people who use and develop cutting and welding technology, as well as those entering the sector.
