In just a few days, MedtecLIVE, one of the most important European trade fairs for the development and manufacture of medical technology, will kick off in Stuttgart.
From 18 to 20 June 2024, medical technology manufacturers, contract manufacturers, suppliers, service providers and users from Germany and around the world will come together to discuss the latest procedures, products and processes along the entire value chain.
The organisers of MedtecLIVE 2024 expect exhibiting companies from 26 nations over the next three days. While most are from Europe, the 116 international exhibitors also include exhibitors from the key medtech regions of the USA, China and Japan. In addition to showcasing the latest processes, design, manufacturing, production, components, materials and services from the entire value chain, the focus will be on personal networking, allowing attendees to form valuable connections. This makes MedtecLIVE the ideal trade fair for experts from development, product design, product management, production, quality control, purchasing and procurement from medical technology companies and distributors.
"Our exhibitors understand the issues that affect these people in their everyday lives. At MedtecLIVE, people talk medical technology. Challenges are understood, trends can be explored, and alternative suppliers discovered,” says Christopher Boss, Managing Director of MedtecLIVE GmbH and Executive Director of the event. “And as a trade fair that specialises in the development and manufacture of medical technology, this clearly distinguishes MedtecLIVE from other trade fairs, where medical technology is usually only a marginal topic.”
At the Exhibitor Forum, numerous exhibitors will share their valuable expertise through presentations over the three days of the trade fair. The Exhibitor Forum, located directly in the exhibition area in Hall 1, Stand 916, allows visitors to attend individual presentations at short notice. With over 20 presentations, the focus will be on three main trends this year: Automation, Digitalisation and Circular Economy. These topics will be presented in various guises both in the exhibition and on the Forum Stage and the Exhibitor Forum. There will also be plenty of space for other topics, such as positions and perspectives on the use of PFAS in medical technology, challenges in the development of medical devices, new manufacturing technologies such as 3D printing and updates on the EU Medical Device Regulation (MDR) and the EU Regulation on In Vitro Diagnostic Medical Devices (IVDR).
These trends also play an important role in other programme items, such as various guided tours and the START HEALTHCARE start-up contest. The guided tours led by industry experts offer visitors a comprehensive overview of the wide range of medical technology topics and products. There will also be time to meet the experts in person and discuss the latest solutions and applications.
Participation is free of charge for all visitors; however, registration via the website is requested due to the limited number of participants. The meeting point for the guided tours is at the entrance to Hall 1. The pitches by the start-up finalists, who have qualified in a digital pre-event, will take place on the opening day from 2:30 p.m. at the Exhibitor Forum. The winning company will be awarded the prize money of 9,000 euros.
The large joint stands of relevant partners are once again a major attraction this year. Many companies are participating in these extensive areas, representing important European clusters and associations. In addition to the German Engineering Federation (VDMA) and the German Tool and Mould Manufacturers' Association (VDWF), the cluster initiatives Innonet Kunststoff, Swiss Medtech, Bayern Innovativ and Medical Mountains from Tuttlingen will also be present with joint stands. The latter can look forward to a visit from Nicole Hoffmeister-Kraut. The Minister for Economic Affairs, Labour and Tourism of the state of Baden-Württemberg is planning a tour of the trade fair and will visit the companies from the medical technology hub in Baden-Württemberg to gauge the industry's current state.
In addition, a total of around 20 German start-ups will be presenting their product innovations to the specialist public at the subsidised ‘Young Innovators’ joint stand and young international companies at the ‘International Innovators’ start-up area. Official delegations from Ireland, Canada and the Czech Republic are also expected to attend.
MedtecLIVE not only gives the medical technology community a home on site. As a central part of the new medteclive.com website, the new digital MedtecLIVE Community creates a unique networking and information service that brings people together on the topics and issues relevant to them long before the trade fair. Exhibitors and visitors can subscribe to news about companies or topics, exchange information directly before the event, arrange appointments and then continue the dialogue in person in Stuttgart. The resulting network enables strong cooperation for current and future projects.