Apex Dynamics looks back at Festival of Tech 2025
How was the Festival of Tech? We’re back after the fun, inspiring new FEDA event. It’s a great time to not only look back but also to look ahead. What did we think? And do we think this is the ultimate replacement for the traditional trade fair?
“Everything just clicked. It all came together perfectly: the location, the program, the atmosphere, and the attendees. You could tell people were smiling and energized by the setting. We felt like this event perfectly demonstrated how the industry can innovate—less formal, more immersive, and much closer to the people shaping the future of technology.”
– Thom van Oss, General Manager of Apex Dynamics
Festival of Tech Festival of Tech instead of a trade fair
The Festival of Tech is a brand-new event organized by the FEDA industry association (in collaboration with FPT VIMAG) on Thursday, September 4, 2025, at LIEF Amsterdam. Instead of the traditional trade show format with flashy banners and long booths, this is a fresh, inspiring, and interactive meeting place where technology, knowledge, and connection come together in a dynamic way.
The event focuses on young engineers, tech professionals, and innovators from the manufacturing industry. For Apex Dynamics, participation wasn’t really a question: this is an opportunity to showcase ourselves in a fresh way, close to the young engineers and technicians who are important to us. We’ve been focusing on this for years, and this festival aligns perfectly with that: innovative, open, and relevant for the next generation.
Festival program: energetic, interactive and substantive
The festival began at 2:00 PM with a welcome reception and networking opportunities. Visitors could meet each other, participate in demos, and explore the creative booths of the “Friends of the Festival,” the participating companies. At 3:00 PM, host Nienke Vergeer (Innovation Manager at Siemens) kicked off and introduced the inspiring speakers throughout the afternoon and evening:
- Jesse van Doren showed how smart technology and data make processes more efficient.
Dirk Bongers provided practical insights into how AI can be applied and managed in the workplace.- Ramon Drost, as a Formula 1 engineer, shared how technical choices, teamwork and performing under pressure are also relevant in the manufacturing industry.
- Hans Kazan & Matthijs Akkenaar provided an interactive AI magic show in which the audience actively participated – surprising, educational and entertaining.
But it wasn’t a “sit and listen” afternoon. The program was carefully structured around clusters of inspiring sessions, networking opportunities, demos, music, and food breaks, creating a festival-like atmosphere. Visitors moved through the venue, experiencing something new each time. This also provided a nice opportunity for engaging in conversation with other visitors in an accessible way.
The event ended festively with the Funky Risotto-show: 100 hits in 10 genres, including an inflatable microphone cannon – an energetic finale that made it impossible to stand still
Festival of Tech a success?
This first edition demonstrates that an alternative format to traditional trade shows is possible: one that actually appeals to young engineers, with informative sessions, interactive demos, and a festival-like setting that prioritizes interaction. The Festival of Tech is an event that was not only educational but also sparked enthusiasm and curiosity. The interactive design ensured that visitors didn’t just passively browse booths, but actively participated and engaged in conversation. It made technology tangible and relevant, allowing companies to convey their message in a direct and lasting way..
Apex Dynamics definitely sees this as the future of professional events. Traditional trade shows struggle to reach young engineers. This event did, however – it energized and inspired visitors, creating connections that go beyond a business card or a short pitch. It’s precisely this intense experience that makes the message stick and creates space for genuine connections.
That’s why Apex Dynamics presented an innovative VR experience – completely contemporary – where visitors could virtually walk through a machine with various Apex components. Interactive images and audio explanations clearly explained what each component is and what function it fulfills within the drivetrain.
On to the next one
We’re certain the next edition will be much busier. Companies and engineers have seen how energetic and efficient this format is, and word is quickly spreading. Moreover, the costs for such an event are considerably lower than those of a traditional trade show. You only need to set up a small meeting space of a few square meters, bring a little creativity, and you’re there. At the same time, it delivers enormous benefits: new conversations, increased visibility, and, above all, a memorable experience for visitors.
It’s also much easier time-wise. Instead of days of setting up and running the show, this is simply one day full of energy and inspiration. And honestly, what you get out of it—the conversations, the impressions, and the connections—is probably more valuable than what a multi-day traditional trade show generates.
