Excitement Is Building As VERTICAL PRO Draws Ever Closer.

The excitement is building as VERTICAL PRO draws ever closer. Soon the halls will once again be filled with everything from climbing sports to fall protection, rope access technology and high ropes courses.

November 22 to 23, 2024 is the fourth edition of VERTICAL PRO and experience an interactive trade show. 

Once again this year, VERTICAL PRO 2024 will offer a varied and extensive supporting programme. Below you will find the first insights:

• AI (Artificial Intelligence) Both the DAV (German Alpine Club) and the IAPA (International Adventure Park Association) are focusing on the use of AI this year. Innovation and marketing for bouldering and climbing gyms are key topics in the DAV's presentations. In a workshop, the DAV will show operators how they can implement and work with artificial intelligence step by step. The IAPA will highlight the opportunities and risks of using AI in the ropes course industry.
• Working at height Prof. Dr. Marco Einhaus will present the newly published European standard 17235 and explain special considerations for fall protection systems. Carsten Beinhoff will look at the growing field of slope and rock clearance, while Markus Breithaupt will demonstrate the range and associated technical diversity of climbing and working at height. In a discussion panel, the D-A-CH-S specialist group will provide guidelines for safe work at height.
• Height / Depth Rescue In his presentation, Axel Manz will explain what needs to be taken into account when planning, constructing and operating long, horizontally tensioned systems with rescue loads.
• Sustainability - FUTURE WALL The presentations by the IFSC Europe Sustainability Commission and Prof. Dr. Surberg will showcase different approaches to sustainability and demonstrate that the future and sustainability always go hand in hand. At the new FUTURE WALL, exhibiting companies can present sustainable innovations that have been developed within their organisations.
• Women at height From tree care to industrial climbing to route setting – these professions should ideally be accessible to both women and men. Our new focus “Women at height” shows what it looks like in reality, what challenges women working at height are confronted with in these fields and the inspirations they draw from their experiences. There will be presentations by Vicki Tough and Alexandra Schweikart, as well as a panel discussion with women working at height from various industries and manufacturers. Women at height is supported by S'Zwei Verlag (magazine Arbeitsschutz - Aber sicher! / Magazine for Occupational Safety).
• Personal Fall Protective Equipment (PPE) Peter Biegel from FISAT will explain the process certification for training in the use of PPE. In a panel discussion, the IAPA will present insights on when PPE is ready to be discarded. During live demonstrations on their crash box, Petzl shows the effects of different types of use on PPE.

Workshops From the use of rope knots in rope climbing techniques, interactive demonstrations on the climbing wall, small rope diameters and pulleys to the correct placement of adhesive hooks - in these workshops, practice is not theory.

You can find the detailed programme here