Record numbers hit this year’s IDS
by Guy Hiscott
Around 138,500 visitors from 151 countries attended the world’s largest trade fair for dentistry and dental technology in Cologne between 10-14 March 2015.
The International Dental Show (IDS) has become an important hub for the international dental industry, with around 70% of exhibitors coming from abroad.
Italy, the USA, the Republic of Korea, China, France, Switzerland were just a few of the most strongly represented countries at IDS.
Global dentistry
Irish Dentistry attended the show hoping to get an international perspective on dentistry.
A representative from BF Mulholland who attended the show commented on the wealth of products available: ‘We’re here to have a look around at a whole range of products. There’s a lot to see, but it’s good to keep your head in the market.’
Visitor and dentist Dr Hans Goly from Germany agreed, adding: ‘I’m here to see Sirona and Acteon, plus many others. I’m interested to see new technical products, like 3shape Trios.’
New at IDS 2015 is its Career Day on 14 March, which addressed the topic of promoting young researchers in a practical way.
Digital world
Visitors also got a glimpse into the digital world this year as well, with the free IDS app available to download throughout the exhibition.
Including a list of exhibitors, the app guided IDS visitors through a navigation system and provided on-site information on services and companies.
Business Matchmaking 365 was another digital platform available – enabling visitors and exhibitors to come into direct contact with each other both before and after the fair.
The online personal organiser also allowed visitors to email exhibitors to request meetings.
Visitor satisfaction
Statistics from the event report that 75% of respondents to a visitor survey were (very) satisfied with this year’s IDS.
The fair’s comprehensive spectrum of products and new products ensured that 81% of visitors rated the product range as being (very) good.
Overall, 95% of the visitors questioned would recommend visiting IDS to business partners and 77% also intend to visit IDS 2017.
Dr Margarita Bessonova, a dentist from Russia currently living in Germany, attended IDS for the first time this year. ‘I’ve been wanting to come here for four years!’ She enthused. ‘It’s very good, and huge. I’ve visited similar exhibitions and none have been as big as this!’
Returning 2017
Next years show will be on 21-25 March 2017.
IDS takes place in Cologne every two years and is organised by the GFDI Gesellschaft zur Förderung der Dental-Industrie mbH, the commercial enterprise of the Association of German Dental Manufacturers (VDDI) and staged by Koelnmesse GmbH, Cologne.
