All roads in the medical and healthcare sector led to the NEC, Birmingham earlier this month as the UK’s Medtech community gathered on the 7-8th June at the UK and Ireland's leading event for medical device manufacturing, Med-Tech Innovation Expo.
Rob Lacey
With Government officials taking a prominent role on the conference programme to demonstrate the importance of the sector to the UK economy and to underline the UK as a global science superpower and almost 150 exhibitors cutting edge exhibitors doing business with thousands of enthusiastic and engaged visitors across the show floor, the two days were an exciting snapshot of a vibrant, fast growing and economically important sector.
The CPD accredited conference programme, which at times was standing room only, was delivered across two stages and included insights from the Office for Life Sciences, Department for Health and Social Care, Johnson & Johnson, Barts Health NHS Trust, Pennine Healthcare, Boston Scientific, NIHR, SBRI Healthcare and Innovate UK.
David Lawson, director of medical technology, Department of Health and Social Care said reflecting on his visit "The key message for me is that Medtech is massively important for health care. It covers the entire patient pathway from diagnostic into treatment, after care and prevention."
These learning opportunities were matched by the incredible amount of commercial activity that took place across the two days and feedback from across the show floor was equally positive.
Joe Shackley, Guardtech Group said the show attracts "a really high-quality calibre of delegate. It's really nice to meet leading lights in the industry, and Med-Tech Expos over the years have proved to be a really fruitful avenue ... We get a really good footfall of good quality potential customers."
Daniel Jones, ZwickRoell confirmed this thought “It’s been a really productive last two days. We’ve spoken to a lot of people. Footfall’s been really good on our stand, we’ve got quite a few enquiries. We’re definitely looking to rebook next year.”
Nina Green, Siemens Digital Industries Software added "The medical industry and life sciences are a really important market for us ... Med-Tech Innovation Expo brings together thought leaders from different areas of the industry. It's a great atmosphere - it's a really, really good show."
The status of the show as the leading event for medical device manufacturing was also reinforced by exhibitors.
Laura Friedl-Hirst, LFH Regulatory said “I think everybody in the industry knows about Med-Tech Expo. Everybody knows it’s the industry standard…we’ve been looking at where we’re going to put our pitch next year.”
Alison Mills, IMed Consultancy confirmed "It's the biggest show in the UK and all of our clients and prospective clients are all here. So, we're always here."
Duncan Keeble, Ox Device added "the show is getting bigger and bigger. It feels like a much bigger show than it was last year.”
Duncan Wood, CEO, Rapid News Group, owners of Med-Tech Innovation Expo, concluded “What a fantastic two days that underlines the position Med-Tech Innovation Expo has as the leading event for its sector in the UK and Ireland. We’ve been inundated with positive comments and the rebook from our exhibitors is the best it has ever been.”
“Trade exhibitions ultimately exist to drive business opportunities for exhibitors…that is the only real measure of the success of an event, a significant amount of business has been generated as a result of the event already, so mission accomplished – we are already working hard on the 2024 edition.”
Med-Tech Innovation Expo will return to the NEC on 5-6th June 2024.
For more information visit www.med-techexpo.com
