For four days in early-mid November, 127,800 medical professionals came together from all over the globe to negotiate deals, network with colleagues, catch up with old friends and enjoy some German cuisine at MEDICA in Dusseldorf.
The massive 19 hall fairground at Messe Dusseldorf was packed with a record 5,000 exhibitors at the show and 413 of them were from the U.S. — many of whom exhibited at one of two pavilions dedicated to U.S. companies.
"MEDICA is, and will remain, the place where all topics relating to the full workflow of patient treatment are put into focus with an incomparable wealth of resources and internationality at a fixed point in time," Joachim Schaefer, managing director of Messe Dusseldorf
told HCB News. "All medical specialist fields benefit from this, and visitors have the opportunity to broaden their horizons."
The event presents an opportunity for technology manufacturers and innovators to form partnerships they may enhance their vision or their product market. The show's international appeal is a benefit to Germany too, where export is driving the medical technology industry.
"Although in a traditional market, uncertainties like Brexit or the situation in Turkey can half growth, many emerging countries offer further great potential to combat this because of the massive investments in their local health care systems," said Marcus Kuhlmann, leader of the SPECTARIS German Medical Technology Industry Association, in prepared remarks.
Digitization continued to be a key theme at the event, as it had been in prior years, with a greater focus on software innovations and technology that can improve patient outcomes without a major capital expense.
For attendees from the U.S., the English language conferences at the Health IT Forum and Connected Healthcare Forum are both big draws for discussing the implementation of medical apps into the industry and technological innovations poised to disrupt care.
"The program of integrated forums and accompanying conferences addresses all the relevant current trends," said Schaefer, calling MEDICA the "blockbuster among the events for the worldwide medical business."
One of the most interesting event at MEDICA every year is the annual app competition, in which 15 app designers square off to explain to a live audience and panel of judges why their app is best. This year, the winner was an app and wearable combo developed by an Israeli-based team to notify the user when his or her is slouching. The solution, called "Up Right" is intended to keep people from developing back problems.
The next MEDICA will take place November 13-16, 2017.
