IDS 2019: The greatest show on earth delivers once again to 160,000 visitors

IDS 2019, which came to an end in Cologne on 16 March 2019 after five days, more than fulfilled the high expectations of the international dental industry. The undisputed leading global trade fair of the dental industry once again underlined its exceptional position. With 2,327 companies from 64 countries, the number of exhibitors rose once again. And they came together with over 160,000 trade visitors from 166 countries, an overall increase of 3.2%, with the number of foreign visitors up by 6%. At the same time, the exhibition space expanded by over 4% to a massive 170,000 square metres.

Mark Stephen Pace, Chairman of the Association of the German Dental Manufacturers e.V. VDDI, said "Everyone, who wants to be successful in the dental industry faces the performance comparison in Cologne. It is thus no surprise that the level of internationality of IDS has in the meantime taken on huge dimensions". And Gerald Böse, President and Chief Executive Officer of Koelnmesse, added: "IDS is a trade fair event in a class of its own and always sets new benchmarks. It manages to surpass the already excellent result of the previous event every time, again and again. The visitors and exhibitors are impressed by IDS, supply and demand are only provided in this scope, in this quality and with this level of internationality here in Cologne. IDS is the undisputed leading global trade fair for the dental industry".

High interest in innovation

The radiance of IDS makes it the ideal platform, especially for new companies in the dental market, which want to establish themselves with high-quality innovations. Steve Plakotaris, CEO and Managing Director of Australian start-up, Dr Mark's HyGenie, confirmed this: "As a world first oral hygiene innovation, with global brand potential, it made perfect sense to debut our company and removable oral appliance hygiene range at the world's biggest and busiest dental industry showcase. Despite being a small Australian start-up, we have felt right at home at IDS and the results have exceeded all our expectations. Contacts, connections and new friends are being made every hour of every day. We look forward to booking our place at IDS2021."

Visitors were extremely interested in innovative products and technologies. The focus of IDS 2019 lay on products and systems for improved digital workflows and the additive production, new formulas and filling materials, innovative intraoral scanners and implant designs as well as flexible workflows for the management of the laboratory.

"The International Dental Show (IDS) is a phenomenon: The atmosphere is so international, thirsty for knowledge and open that it is was simply very inspiring once again this year. The digitalisation can improve the workflows of the practices, but shouldn't be implemented non-critically or too hastily," said Dr Peter Engel, President of the German Dental Association (BZÄK). "Dentistry is a significant employer and economic factor. A local dentist employs between four and five employees on average. Trained dental employees are the heart of every dental practice - without them a practice wouldn't work. Good skilled dental employees therefore require recognition as well as inspiration and know-how."

The same also applies for dental technicians. Dominik Kruchen, President of the German Dental Technicians Guild, summed up as follows: "The International Dental Show demonstrated at what speed the digital dental world is developing. One has to weigh up the risks, recognise one's own chances and take investment decisions based on good judgement. In the discussion about the role of the dental laboratories, master dental technicians and their teams are irreplaceable as experts in the provision of dental restorations. In close exchange with the dentists, their expertise, for example regarding the selection and implementation of different materials, ensures an individual offer for patients. Well-trained young professionals are important for a strong dental technician trade. The highly trained young dental technology apprentices once again impressively demonstrated their skills at this year's IDS in the scope of the Gysi Prize Competition."

IDS 2019 in figures

At IDS 2019, on a gross exhibition area of 170,000 m² (2017: 163,000 m²), 2,327 companies from 64 countries participated (2017: 2,305 companies from 60 countries). These included 610 exhibitors and 18 additionally represented companies from Germany (2017: 624 exhibitors and 20 additionally represented companies) as well as 1,650 exhibitors and 49 additionally represented companies from abroad (2017: 1,617 exhibitors and 44 additionally represented companies). The share of foreign exhibitors was 73 percent (2017: 72 percent). Including estimates for the last day of the fair, over 160,000 trade visitors from 166 countries attended IDS (2017: 155,000 trade visitors from 156 countries), approximately 62 percent of whom (2017: 60 percent) came from abroad.

The figures relating to visitors, exhibitors and exhibition space for this trade fair were determined and certified according to the standardised definitions used by the Society for Voluntary Control of Fair and Exhibition Statistics (FKM).

The 39th International Dental Show - IDS 2021 - is scheduled to take place from 9 to 13 March 2021.