Despite a train strike in Germany, visitor participation at the concurrent staging of MEDICA 2007, 39th World Forum for Medicine with Congress, and COMPAMED 2007, 16th International Trade Fair for Components, Parts and Raw Materials for Medical Manufacturing, remained constant with approximately 137,000 visitors from about 100 countries (compared to 137,500 visitors in 2006). Attendees from countries other than Germany accounted for 40% of the visitors. A total of 4,300 exhibitors at MEDICA and 460 exhibitors at COMPAMED showcased a broad spectrum of new technologies for in-patient and out-patient care. As in the past, U.S. exhibitor participation at MEDICA was high: 368 companies took part, 168 of which displayed their products in the two successful U.S. Pavilions, organized by Messe Düsseldorf North America.

“Once again this year, MEDICA has clearly succeeded in confirming its leading international status. This is because it presents not only a cross-section of medical supplies, but also the complete range including all its interface aspects”, commented Wilhelm Niedergöker, Managing Director Messe Düsseldorf. “Anyone who obtains information about state-of-the-art medical imaging systems will also directly find out at MEDICA how these appliances can be integrated in the existing IT infrastructure.” Regarding the train strike, Wilhelm Niedergöker especially praised the MEDICA visitors: “Normally more than one in five visitors travel to the trade fair by train. Due to the train strike, many attendees were flexible, reacted in time and came by car.”

Main topics at MEDICA 2007 included “eHealth” and telematic applications. The MEDICA MEDIA theme park featured the “electronic health card” and “medical data networks”, which supported the exhibitors’ ranges of medical IT innovations focusing on the “electronic patient’s file”. Other highlights included compact medical products which actively integrate the patient and in many cases can be used by the patients themselves. Examples include the electro-therapy systems for pain-relief applications and diagnosis appliances for the fast measuring of diverse body parameters. Due to wireless radio transmission, an increasing number of these products can transfer the medical data via telephone modem and Internet directly to the physician – a major advantage in the long-distance observation of chronically ill patients.

At COMPAMED 2007, the 460 exhibitors (compared to 320 in 2006) occupied Hall 8a and the first time the new Hall 8b. More than 13,000 visitors came to see the comprehensive spectrum of high-tech solutions for application in the medical technology industry – ranging from new materials, components, intermediate products, packaging and services to complex micro-system technology and nanotechnology.

The MEDICA and COMPAMED exhibits were complemented by the MEDICA Congress with 150 seminars and lectures and the 30th German Hospital Conference. The MEDICA Congress discussed topics such as disease prevention and state-of-the-art diagnostics as well as telemedicine, emergency medicine and legal issues. “Shaping the Future” was the theme of the 30th German Hospital Conference where 1,800 participants learned about the restructuring processes in the German hospital service.

The next MEDICA will take place in Düsseldorf, Germany from November 19 – 22, 2008 (COMPAMED from November 19 – 21, 2008). For further information on visiting or exhibiting at MEDICA or COMPAMED 2008, contact Messe Düsseldorf North America, 150 North Michigan Avenue, Suite 2920, Chicago, IL 60601. Telephone: (312) 781-5180; Fax (312) 781-5188; E-mail: info@mdna.com. Or visit the web site http://www.mdna.com.

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