IDS 2021: VDDI and Koelnmesse postpone the International Dental Show

With a view to the unchanged challenges the COVID pandemic is raising in Germany and the anticipated continuation of the extensive restriction of personal contacts by the Government, States and municipalities at the beginning of the New Year, the VDDI board, the Gesellschaft zur Förderung der Dental-Industrie mbH (GFDI) (the commercial enterprise of the VDDI) and Koelnmesse have decided to postpone IDS - the International Dental Show. The trade fair that was originally planned to take place from 10 to 13 March, will now be held from 22 to 25 September 2021. The organisers are taking this step in reaction to the currently ongoing COVID policy, which may be extended in Germany into 2021. By postponing the 39th edition of IDS to September, the organisers are hoping that due to the then anticipated improved health situation and relaxation of the travel restrictions, more international partners and customers will travel to Cologne.

The essential political decisions taken by the German Federal Government that are affecting numerous trade fairs in Germany are also impacting IDS. It will thus be staged in September with the new trade fair concept that was planned for March in a hybrid fromat, combining both face-to-face and digital elements. The #B-SAFE4business concept that is based on the applicable COVID Protection Ordinance will also accompany IDS in September in order to offer exhibitors and visitors the highest possible level of safety.

"The Association of the German Dental Industry and Koelnmesse have kept a close eye on the developments of the pandemic at all times and have analysed the possible consequences on the trade fair activities of all personnel involved," said Mark Stephen Pace, Chairman of the VDDI and Oliver Freser, Chief Operating Officer of Koelnmesse GmbH in explaining the decision.

"The health of our exhibitors, partners and visitors takes top priority for us here. After assessing the current facts, we have had to refrain from staging IDS in March and are postponing the always successful dental show to the autumn of the same year."

More planning security

Exhibitors now have six months longer to prepare their presence at the leading global trade fair and push innovations. The dental industry will meet up again in the exhibition halls in Cologne after two and a half years: This decision will enable exhibitors and visitors to engage in a physical and personal exchange live again and experience the pronounced community principle, which has distinguished the dental industry for decades. The prospect of a strong and economically attractive re-start after the COVID pandemic thus exists.