Tesla, Studio Libeskind and Sisecam - GPD opening speakers

The three opening speakers in GPD 2019 are the most distinguished professionals in their own companies.

Mr. Michael Pilliod, Director of Manufacturing Innovation at Tesla, Mr. Stefan Blach, Partner-in-Charge at Studio Libeskind and Prof. Dr. Sener Oktik, Chief Research & Technological Development Officer at Sisecam represent the most passionate attitude in their work and business. In GPD 2019, there will be seen three outstanding opening speakers and also over 240 other presentations in the same location.

It is an exquisite and unprecedented opportunity to meet the experts and professionals from all around the world. This is the number 1 place to meet this much journalists, industrial experts and customers in the same surrounding. It is also a good idea to bring your own customers with you to develop and discuss business opportunities. The extraordinary event will be fully booked very soon, so make sure to act quickly and book your hotel in Tampere. At the same time there will be an international football match in Tampere, so some of the hotels might be already full. Lapland Hotel - design hotel, good location - has still 60 rooms, so this is a good option we can recommend. 

My retirement from GPD  

As I mentioned earlier, I am reaching the official retirement age, and this is the final GPD that I will be acting as the Chairman of the Organizing Committee. Because of this, the GPD 2019 farewell party on Friday 28th of June will also be my special retirement party!!! Make sure to book your flight back on late Saturday afternoon or even Sunday. ;) (We are organizing free bus transportation from Tampere to Helsinki airport on Saturday – journey time approximately 2 hours)

The GPD farewell party has always played a big part in the success of the conference marketing , as a way to meet old friends, to begin new relationships and especially, to create great memories that will last FOREVER.

GPD has become the World's leading glass conference and after 2019 my 'retirement project' will focus on maintaining the 'GPD Spirit' and passing on the contacts and network information that we have created together over the last 30 years. My sincere hope is that by doing this, the new generation will continue to develop and grow the future of GPD .

The idea that 'knowledge grows, as knowledge is shared' has been a constant passion of mine and I look forward to continuing the development of deeper friendships and cooperation between all the players within the glass industry. With this spirit of cooperation in mind, I invite you all to attend GPD in Tampere in June and make it the most memorable farewell party that we have ever had! As this will be my final farewell party before retirement, I would be particularly pleased to see as many ‘old faces’ and previous participants from the last 30 years of GPD.

I'm looking forward to seeing you in the land of the midnight sun!

18.04.2019, GPD Finnland