IDS 2005 biggest ever

The world's largest dental exhibition, IDS 2005, staged in Cologne, Germany from April 12-16, has exceeded all expectations with a 20% increase in visitors over the previous event in 2003.

More than 75,000 people from 141 countries descended on the five-day event that featured 1,551 exhibiting companies from 48 countries (12% more than in 2003). Total exhibition space expanded as well, increasing by 16 per cent to 107,000 square metres.

"With this fantastic result, IDS has again strengthened its position as the world's largest and most important trade fair for the dental sector," said Dr Martin Rickert, Chairman of the Association of German Dental Manufacturers (VDDI), which organized the event.

Innovative new technologies acted as a veritable magnet for visitors, according to many exhibitors. The trend towards further increases in efficiency has led to a great demand for products that accelerate workflow and generate more added value. Lively interest was also shown in products that offer maximum comfort, functionality and aesthetic appearance.

"Everyone was there, from dental assistants to clinic directors and university professors," stated one exhibitor, backing up the results of an independent visitor survey and the positive assessment of the visitors' high level of professional qualifications. Exhibitors reported that the global dental trade was represented in its entirety at the trade fair, and decision-makers from every other related profession attended IDS as well.

Around 40 per cent of the visitors came from dental practices and 30 per cent from dental laboratories. The trading sector accounted for about 15 per cent of all those surveyed and 27 per cent of visitors from abroad. Six per cent were from the higher education sector.

The participants included 557 exhibitors and 49 additionally represented firms from Germany as well as 881 exhibitors and 64 additionally represented companies from abroad.