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October 2008 REHACARE INTERNATIONAL 2008 SURPASSED EXPECTATIONSThe recent staging of REHACARE INTERNATIONAL 2008, International Trade Fair and Congress Rehabilitation, Care, Prevention and Integration, in Düsseldorf, Germany, attracted 52,000 visitors and 758 exhibitors from 29 countries. Compared to the results of REHACARE in 2007, the visitor participation at the 2008 event rose by 10%. “REHACARE 2008 thus surpassed all expectations,” commented Wilhelm Niedergöker, Managing Director of Messe Düsseldorf. “The concept of REHACARE as a marketplace both for those requiring care and those specializing in care and the idea of making the trade fair attractive to new target groups with current topics such as building and living, was successful. The demographic development is a key driver in this regard, stimulating the need for information about innovative rehabilitation know-how, care concepts and new findings in rehabilitation and care. In addition, more and more elderly people are discovering that REHACARE offers a wealth of products and services that can make daily living easier for them as well.” The exhibitors at REHACARE 2008 praised the high level of visitor attendance on all days of the show and in particular the large number of trade visitors and buyers from outside of Germany. Bernd Engels, Director Product Management at Ulrich Alber GmbH, described REHACARE as “the world’s No. 1 event in the assistive devices industry. Our foreign distribution partners are fully represented and confirm that here in Düsseldorf they get a complete picture of the international market.” Thomas Appel, Managing Director of handicare GmbH, rated REHACARE as “a top event attracting excellent trade representation from Germany and abroad.” Exhibitors from countries other than Germany were also enthusiastic about REHACARE 2008. For scooter manufacturer Freerider Corp. from Taiwan, this year’s REHACARE INTERNATIONAL was the best ever. “We are mainly seeking importers for our products and have met interested parties from all over Western and Eastern Europe and Saudi Arabia here,” reported Markus Coradi, the company’s European representative. All products that generate and assist mobility attracted considerable visitor interest at REHACARE 2008. More than half of the visitors were interested in vehicles, wheelchairs and cars suitable for disabled users, followed by walking and mobility aids and daily living aids. The top attractions among the numerous theme parks and special events were the “Living Dream” theme park, assistive devices and information for children with disabilities and the display of products that received the REHACARE DESIGN AWARD. The REHACARE DESIGN AWARD industry competition was held for the first time at REHACARE 2008 and had 96 entries from 18 countries. A total of 24 products received awards in the contest, which was organized by red dot projects. At the two-day REHACARE Congress with its 22 presentations and two panel discussions, 350 participants discussed “services and technology that facilitate self-determined home living for people at every stage in life”. Experts talked about the possibilities for “intelligent” networks and automation as well as technology-based services to create a more comfortable and safe home environment. The next REHACARE will take place in Düsseldorf from October 14 – 17, 2009. For further information on visiting or exhibiting at REHACARE 2009, 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. # # # |