In the lead up to the annual MEDICA and COMPAMED trade fairs at Messe Dusseldorf in Dusseldorf, Germany, HealthCare Business News sat down with director Carmen Berger to find out what attendees can expect.

In addition to discussing the fair, we also talk about how the events are growing with the times and how attendees can make the most of their time at the world's biggest medical trade show.

HCB News: MEDICA and COMPAMED are continuing to drive their transformation process forward. What does this mean in concrete terms for 2026?

Carmen Berger: We are consistently evolving MEDICA and COMPAMED from a traditional trade fair into a platform that translates innovation into practical applications.

The healthcare industry is facing profound changes: increasing complexity, rapid technological development and growing demands on care and resilience. Our aim is to provide guidance precisely for this and to bring the relevant stakeholders together in a targeted manner. This is not just about new topics, but above all about clearer structures, more focused programs and formats that enable genuine exchange and decision-making.

HCB News: MEDICA is adopting a new thematic structure. What is changing?
CB: We have systematically restructured MEDICA around real-world care scenarios. The five thematic areas – ranging from clinical diagnostics and therapeutic technologies, through digital medicine and AI, to integrated care, healthcare infrastructure, and education and global health – reflect the reality of modern healthcare. What is important here is that we no longer think in terms of technological silos, but in terms of applications. Exhibitors will be positioned more closely in line with specific clinical needs, and we are paying very close attention to consistency of content – including at joint stands. The result is greater clarity, better orientation and significantly higher added value for visitors.

HCB News: What new program highlights can the trade audience look forward to?
CB: We are specifically focusing on formats that promote exchange and concrete implementation. A key step is the integration of the Wearable Technologies Conference Europe into MEDICA. Wearables are a key topic for networked, data-driven care, from prevention to telemonitoring.

With the 1st German Health Resilience Conference, we are also addressing a topic that has gained massive significance in recent years: the resilience of healthcare systems. Here, we bring together decision-makers from hospitals, politics and industry to discuss concrete solutions.

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