Medtech, meetings and more: rounding up Med-Tech Innovation Expo 2018
The doors have now closed on the 2018 edition of Med-Tech Innovation Expo. This action-packed medical technology showcase offered the opportunity for thousands of eager visitors to experience multiple product launches and demonstrations from over one-hundred exhibiting companies on the show floor. More than 30 engaging presentations took place and a wealth of exciting show features educated and entertained in equal measure.
With an expansion of the show floor presenting more exhibitors than ever before, this high-octane event connected over 2,000 attendees (audit pending) with an exciting and varied range of businesses who stood ready to help them solve their medical design and manufacturing challenges.
“A really good show, The conference set up is very nice, I wish I’d had a chance to see more of it,” commented visitor Paul Wilcock (Digital Marketing Manager at The Blue Cube). “I think there’s just a lot of good innovative products here that are worth seeing.”
Those seeking future technologies and services ahead of the mainstream saw dynamic displays, exclusive product launches and hands-on demonstrations of all the latest innovations from the likes of Connect 2 Cleanrooms, the Centre for Process Innovation, University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust, XL Precision Technologies and Worrell Design.
“The show’s been great – a good number of people coming to us, but more importantly the quality of leads has been exactly what we were looking for. The type of people we want to target have been in here, so we’re really pleased,” said Mitsubishi Electric’s Neil Welch.
Across two conference stages, attendees saw presentations from a wide range of blue-chip users, government officials and industry experts. Innovate UK, MHRA, the Academy for Healthcare Science, NHS Digital and more offered insight and intelligence throughout the Med-Tech Innovation Conference (produced in association with Medilink UK), while event exhibitors delivered all the latest news on hardware, software, materials and services on the HealthTech Stage.
Ken Block, President of USA-based Ken Block Consulting presented on the HealthTech stage and exhibited at the event. Of his experience, he said; “It’s been a great first show for us. To be able to come to the UK and for the first time meet folks in this market, a market that we’re hoping to serve in the future. I also had the opportunity to speak at the conference yesterday, it was great to share the US FDA perspective.”
In addition to the packed conference and seminar programme, visitors experienced a range of exciting show features including the GTMA Pavilion, Inspex, which focuses on providers of measurement and inspection technologies/services and the Medilink UK Pavilion which gave a range of Medilink member businesses including IHN Insurance Brokers, TBAT Innovation and GX Group a platform to highlight their solutions to industry challenges.
Merle Harrison, Marketing and Events at Medilink commented; “We’ve had lots of enquiries, it’s been a really great show with a lovely atmosphere.”
AWARD WINNERS
Last night, Bluefrog Design was announced as the winner of the inaugural Advancing Healthcare Award – an accolade reserved for the most innovative products, services, technology or approaches to manufacturing in healthcare on display at Med-Tech Innovation Expo.
Judges rewarded Bluefrog Design for their innovative approach to treating paraesthesia – a complicated skin condition with no known cause. Using 3D laser scanning and 3D printing, the team was able to create a vest which was light and comfortable to wear, and which has greatly improved quality of life for the patient.
“The show’s been great for us because it’s based around innovation and development,” said Jon Samwell of Bluefrog Design. “As product designers focusing on that area, we’ve really seen the benefit; We’ve picked up work and the footfall has been really nice.”
On winning the Advancing Healthcare Award, Jon continued; “It was a real surprise! We’re only a small business so to actually get an award for us is great."
RELOCATION AND EXPANSION FOR 2019
Med-Tech Innovation Expo will relocate to the NEC, Birmingham, for the 2019 event. The move will allow the breadth of features on the show floor to be expanded with new exhibitor zones and exciting content focused on medical plastics, digital devices, pharmaceutical technologies and early stage innovations. This will add new dimensions to the show for visitors and offer exhibitors new ways to drive maximum returns for their investment in the event.
There will also be a significantly expanded learning programme to drive greater awareness of technology developments and innovations offering yet more reasons for visitors to attend, and more platforms for exhibitors to present themselves and their solutions on.
“It’s been a very good show, exceptionally busy this year compared to last year," said Simon Rhodes, head of business edvelopment at eg technology. “The organisation has been good, and the footfall’s been brilliant. It’s too early to say about deals done but lead generation-wise, it’s been very good, and we are going to book for next year!”
Med-Tech Innovation Expo 2019 will be held in Hall 2 at the NEC, Birmingham (UK) 15 – 16 May 2019. Find out more at www.med-techexpo.com