Positive result: MEDTEC Europe 2014 stimulates new impetus in medical technology

Fabienne Valambras, Event-Managerin des Veranstalters UBM Canon, sowie Timothy Lew von 3D Systems stellten die MEDTEC Europe in der Pressekonferenz vor. / Fabienne Valambras, events manager for the organizer UBM Canon, and Timothy Lew from 3D Systems introduced MEDTEC Europe at the opening press conference.

3D-Live-Printing-Area: Die live gedruckte Beinprothese sitzt am Ende des Messetages perfekt. / 3D-Live-Printing-Area: a leg prosthesis printed in 3D fits perfectly by the end of the same

Die Social Media Wall zeigt live Posts und Tweets über die MEDTEC Europe.

The international medtech industry gathered at the MEDTEC Europe in Stuttgart from June 3 to 5. A total of 810 exhibitors from 31 countries showed that week at the Stuttgart fairgrounds. This significant trade fair, which attracted over 6.300 visitors, focused on the most recent developments and technologies, notably in 3D printing. SÜDTEC, a trade fair for suppliers from all industries, was held at the same time as Europe's largest medical fair.

MEDTEC organiser Fabienne Valambras was very happy with the results: "Our focus this year was on the new technological trends. The convention's broad program of workshops and the newly created highlight sections, like the i-Zone and the 3D-Live-Printing-Area, generated lots of relevant input and complemented the exhibitors' section perfectly."

Indeed, the 3D-Live-Printing-Area and the i-Zone, a forum for start-ups, turned out to be veritable magnets for the visitors. The i-Zone forum was especially interesting for young companies seeking information on topics like financing, billing and payment processes and marketing strategies for new medical products. The highlight topic, 3D printing, was also introduced in the i-Zone. 3D Systems representative Timothy Lew discussed the opportunities offered by the process for medical technology.  The 3D-Live-Printing-Area was also the place to see theory put into practice. The Fraunhofer Institute delivered numerous lectures presenting the advances in this field. Visitors had the opportunity to admire two 3D printers at work. And a leg prosthesis was printed each day of the fair and then fitted onto a patient the very same day.

At the China Breakfast Meeting, interested parties could exchange information about the Chinese market and its regulatory processes. Next year, the presentation of the Chinese market will continue in a dedicated country area.

The visitors to the fair also made use of the interactive Social Media Wall. For the first time ever, tweets and Instagram posts with the hastags #medteclive and #MEDTECEurope could be followed throughout the fair on screens. The Social Media Wall created added value by allowing visitors and exhibitors to share information and find each other digitally. 

MEDTEC Europe 2015 will be held April 21 to 23, 2015, on the Stuttgart fairgrounds. Many of the current exhibitors have already preregistered.