Final Report for IDS 32nd International Dental Show 2007 in Cologne
Worlds leading dental fair breaks all records:
More visitors, more exhibitors and a larger area,
100,000 visitors* (150 countries), 1,742 exhibitors (54 countries), 130,000 m; IDS participants were impressed by offerings, visitor turnout and visitors decision-making authority. Featuring another increase in visitor turnout (approximately six per cent to nearly 100,000*) the 32nd International Dental Show (IDS), the worlds largest trade fair for dentistry and dental technology, come to a close in Cologne.
The five-day event was very international in scope, with 35 per cent of the trade visitors coming from outside Germany, from a total of 150 countries. Around 62 per cent of the exhibitors came from abroad, from a total of 54 countries. As a result, IDS, which takes place in Cologne every two years, once again broke records in all areas. The number of exhibiting companies increased by 200 to 1,742, while the gross hall space was enlarged from 107,000 to 130,000 m. Each event surpasses the outstanding result of the previous one, says Dr. Martin Rickert, Chairman of the Association of German Dental Manufacturers (VDDI). Visitors and exhibitors were thrilled by IDS, as supply and demand do not come together at this scale and in this quality anywhere else. The entire sector from all over the world meets at IDS. The event is undisputedly the worlds leading fair for dentists, dental technicians, the dental industry, and the dental trade. Oliver P. Kuhrt, Executive Vice President, Koelnmesse GmbH, adds: The participants are fascinated by IDS. The exhibitors are reporting full order books, and visitors are delighted about the comprehensive range and depth of the products on show. Koelnmesses new infrastructure, with the Entrance South, the Boulevard, and the Piazza received high praise all round!
The visitor turnout was fantastic! said one IDS exhibitor among many who were enthusiastic about the throngs of visitors at the fair. But it was not just the quantity of the visitors that was registered with satisfaction; many
suppliers stated that visitor quality had never before been as good as at this years IDS. This impression was confirmed by an independent visitor survey, which revealed that about 37 per cent of this years IDS visitors played a
decisive role in purchasing decisions, compared to 32 per cent in 2005. All in all, nearly 84 per cent of the visitors were involved in procurement. As heard at many stands, the visitors represented all professions in the sector and came from all over the world.
According to the survey, the largest groups were from dental surgeries, the dental trade, the dental industry and dental labs, although there were also large numbers of representatives from schools and universities. Over 33 per cent of those surveyed were members of management boards or committees.
More than 81 per cent of the visitors were satisfied or highly satisfied with the range of products on display, and almost everyone (96 per cent) said they would probably or definitely recommend IDS to close business associates. In addition, around 80 per cent stated that they would probably or certainly come to the next IDS in 2009.
IDS 2007 the most international IDS of all time exhibitors post top turnover.
IDS was more international this year than ever before! was one exhibitors verdict, which was shared by many other suppliers. This assessment was also confirmed by the official figures, which showed that 62 per cent of the exhibitors came from abroad (54 countries), as did 35 per cent of the visitors (150 countries). The latter came from all over the world, from Argentina and Brazil, Japan and Korea, Egypt and South Africa, Australia and New Zealand, from all over Europe, and from the USA and Canada. IDS 2007 registered a particularly large increase in the number of participants from the EU, EasternEurope, and Central and South America.
While many companies had already given their sales teams a more international scope before the fair, others are preparing to do so for the next IDS in 2009.
For many companies, IDS 2007 was also a big success from an economic standpoint. We had a significantly higher turnover than in 2005, said several exhibitors. In fact, one of the companies already managed to match the previous events total turnover of nearly 1 million on the second day of the fair. IDS once again lived up to its reputation as a leading communication and contact forum. The exhibitors mentioned many promising new contacts as well as a high level of visitor interest in the innovations at the stands.
Visitors and exhibitors were better prepared than ever before for the trade fair.
Thanks to more than 250 new exhibitors and larger areas for existing IDS participants, the gross exhibition space grew to the record size of 130,000 m and included two new hall levels: 3.2 and 4.2. All of the companies that decided to enlarge their stands this year benefited from this decision, and they stated that it was very important to draw greater attention to their presentations. Many companies also noted that the visitors were even better prepared for the trade fair this year, thanks in particular to the online offerings provided by the
VDDI/GFDI and Koelnmesse in the run-up to the event. Examples mentioned included the online shop and the Business Matchmaking tool. The IDS participants were also very satisfied with Koelnmesses modernised exhibition grounds. The new Entrance South is very inviting and the open-air Piazza was widely used despite the poor weather, said one participant. Very good marks were also awarded for the logistics.
Im thrilled, said Dr. Jrgen Weitkamp, President of the German Dental Association (BZK), in summing up his impressions of IDS 2007. He awarded very good marks for the events overall concept, international scope and size, and stated that IDS was very well organised, down to the last detail. The dentists were very impressed with the innovations on display, he stated.
Weve particularly discovered many small innovations that will make our daily work easier, continued Weitkamp. We can be glad that such a global event is taking place in Germany. Any dentist who did not attend this year should plan to visit the event in 2009 with his or her staff.
Jrgen Schwichtenberg, President of the Association of German Dental Technicians Guilds (VDZI), was also very satisfied with IDS. The trade fair is ideally suited for presenting the strengths and accomplishments of Germanys dental technicians, making it the ideal information and communications platform, he said. The top highlights for the profession are the Dentechnica Forum, the Gysi Prize competition for young professionals, and the International Dental Technicians Forum. In addition, we established Q-AMZ as a new umbrella brand that serves as a comprehensive, sector-wide quality seal for guild members. Dentists know that their local labs offer the entire spectrum of dental technology solutions and have a wealth of experience!
Record results for IDS 2007: The figures at a glance:
The 32nd International Dental Show (IDS) in Cologne achieved record figures in terms of the visitors, exhibitors and exhibition space. A total of 1,742 suppliers from 54 countries (2005: 1,542 from 48 countries) presented the latest products and methods to the entire dental world in gross hall space measuring 130,000 m (2005: 107,000 m). Of these, 664 companies came from Germany and 1,078 from abroad. The largest contingent came from Germany, followed by the USA (186 suppliers), Italy (178) and Switzerland (69). In all, 62 per cent of the IDS exhibitors were from outside Germany.
Including estimates for the last day of the fair, almost 100,000 trade visitors from 150 countries* came to IDS 2007, 35 per cent of them from outside Germany. The number of visitors increased by around six per cent compared to 2005 (approx. 94,000 visits by 77,000 visitors), and the number of visitors from abroad climbed by 12 per c
ent. The largest product groups were special dental equipment, hand tools, working materials for dentists and dental technicians, equipment for dental technicians, disinfection devices/equipment, tools and services.
The 33rd International Dental Show will be held in Cologne from Tuesday, 24th to Saturday, 28th March 2009.
