Swiss Business Opportunities around Water Quality in the Midwest

WEFTEC is the annual conference of the Water Environment Federation and is the largest show in North America focusing on drinking and wastewater quality and will take place from October 2-4 in Chicago, IL. In 2022, around 800 exhibitors and 18,000 visitors from numerous countries attended the show and connected on business opportunities around water quality in the U.S. In 2023, Swissenviro is hosting a Swiss Pavilion for a minimum of six Swiss water companies, incl. SMEs and startups, and over 10 Swiss water companies will exhibit their specific solutions at their independent booths.

Following WEFTEC, the Swiss Business Hub USA offers Swiss exhibitors at WEFTEC the chance to learn about business opportunities in water quality in the Midwest and the U.S. as part of a short fact finding mission from October 4-6 to Chicago and Milwaukee.

Both cities and the Midwest are ideal landing pads for Swiss companies in water quality looking to enter or grow in the U.S. market. Chicago, IL and Milwaukee, WI are both located on Lake Michigan which is one of the U.S. Great Lakes. The Great Lakes hold 90% of U.S. freshwater and decision-makers are looking for solutions to monitor, track, maintain and preserve water quality, infrastructure and the water resources. Switzerland holds 6% of Europe’s freshwater and Swiss companies have developed numerous solutions which match current needs in the Midwest around freshwater. In addition, Chicago is positioned between two large river basins and numerous canals crisscross the city which is why the city is considered a “water city”. Chicago is also the economic and logistical center of the Midwest which hosts 36 Fortune 500 companies and numerous manufacturing, insurance and tech companies and local companies, water industry experts and public departments are keen to learn about Swiss water solutions. Milwaukee, WI is home to a cluster of over 200 water-related companies and the Water Council in Milwaukee, WI is a global leader with over 45 (international) companies in water technology and innovation, providing an ideal starting point for Swiss companies looking to expand to the Midwest and U.S. markets.

Swiss companies will learn about current and upcoming water quality projects in both cities, the Midwest and the U.S. and connect with local industry experts, decision-makers, researchers and innovators.