Trade Show and Congress O+R 2008 Final report  · 

ORTHOPÄDIE + REHA-TECHNIK closes with record number of visitors yet again

From 21-24 May 2008, ORTHOPÄDIE + REHA-TECHNIK in Leipzig, the leading trade show in its field, was attended by 18,100 visitors from 85 countries. "This makes it the most successful ORTHOPÄDIE + REHA-TECHNIK ever in its 34-year history," declared Frank Jüttner, President of the BIV-OT (German Association of Orthopaedic Technology).

Compared to 2006, the show closed with 21% more visitors, 14% more exhibitors, and 30% more exhibition space. Two years ago, the ORTHOPÄDIE + REHA-TECHNIK congress and trade show drew 393 exhibitors from 37 countries and 14,900 visitors from 83 countries. "ORTHOPÄDIE + REHA-TECHNIK has impressively demonstrated its global importance," said Wolfgang Marzin, Chairman of the Board of Management of Leipziger Messe GmbH.

A total of 448 exhibitors from 37 countries displayed world innovations for orthopaedic technicians, orthopaedic shoe technicians, rehab technicians, the medical supplies trade, doctors and physiotherapists on gross exhibition space measuring 26,000 square metres. "Leipzig is the window on the world" emphasised Professor Hans Georg Näder, Managing Partner of Otto Bock HealthCare GmbH. And Gourav Mishra, Director of International Business Development at artificial hand and finger manufacturer Touch Bionics, maintained: "It was the best trade show we have ever appeared at."

Orthopaedic shoe technology: a dependable partner
Werner Dierolf, President of the ZVOS Central Association of Orthopaedic Footwear Technology, the co-organiser of the congress, also pronounced how satisfied he was. "Orthopaedic shoe technology has proved to be a dependable partner. This was the second time we were involved in Leipzig - and ORTHOPÄDIE + REHA-TECHNIK was enhanced by the presence of both exhibitors and visitors representing our industry. We look forward to continuing our collaboration!" In 2008, orthopaedic shoe technology products were displayed by over 100 exhibitors.
According to a representative survey conducted by the IM Leipzig Institute of Market Research, 80 % of the exhibitors used the trade fair to display new products and services. Ninety-two per cent of the exhibitors rated their success at the trade show as good or very good and said they would be recommending it to others while 88% said they would be returning in 2010. The findings of the visitors’ survey were just as positive with 88% of interviewees planning to attend ORTHOPÄDIE + REHA-TECHNIK in 2010 and nearly 90% saying they would recommend it.

Decision-makers from all over the world
One in three visitors at ORTHOPÄDIE + REHA-TECHNIK came from abroad. Alongside participants from the German-speaking regions and Benelux, the show and congress proved especially attractive to trade visitors from France, Italy, Poland and Spain. Around 10% of visitors came from the American continent. Among German visitors, the biggest groups were from Bavaria, North Rhine-Westphalia and Saxony. Two thirds of the visitors had travelled more than 300 km to attend, 9% more than in 2006. Moreover, the number of decision-makers also climbed compared to 2006 from 47% to 56%.

New congress approach succeeds
The selection of topics dealt with at the World Congress was approved by more than 80% of the visitors. "This year, the Congress had been organised for the first time by a special interdisciplinary advisory board," explained Bernd Wünschmann, project director at the German Association of Orthopaedic Technology. "Our new tack of integrating all the members of the therapeutic team into the Congress was a resounding success." The growing trend towards an interdisciplinary approach was also reflected in the visitors’ structure. More than 1,000 doctors and therapists attended the congress and exhibition as part of their further training. Papers were delivered by 288 experts from 23 countries at the congress, which was attended by 3,200 people.

Partner country: Spain
The official partner country at this year’s ORTHOPÄDIE + REHA-TECHNIK was Spain with a total of 20 companies taking part. The presentation was supported by ICEX (Instituto de Español Comercio Exterior – the Spanish government’s institute promoting foreign trade) as well as FENIN (Federación Española de Empresas de Tecnología Sanitaria) and FEDOP (Federación Española de Ortesistas Protesistas). "My association is very satisfied with the results of cooperation between Spain and Leipzig," declared FEDOP President Carlos Córdoba. "The Spanish exhibitors praised the good organisation and successful business contacts at ORTHOPÄDIE + REHA-TECHNIK 2008."

Public Open Day enjoys big response
The extensive programme of special shows held on the Public Open Day drew 2,000 visitors. Alongside the 448 exhibitors already taking part in ORTHOPÄDIE + REHA-TECHNIK, another 92 participated on the last day to keep interested visitors abreast of the latest developments in barrier-free building and living, vehicle retrofitting and mobility aids, and barrier-free travel and tourism. The live presentations by disabled sports groups from the three local regions of Saxony, Saxony-Anhalt and Thuringia went down especially well. The day’s highlight was the chance to see top athletes in action on what was also Paralympic Day in the Glass Hall. The previous Public Open Day in 2006 attracted 85 exhibitors and 1,900 visitors.

ORTHOPÄDIE + REHA-TECHNIK was organised by the BIV German Association of Orthopaedic Technology and Leipziger Messe. The congress was co-organised by the ZVOS Central Association of Orthopaedic Footwear Technology.

World Congress ISPO 2010 Leipzig
ORTHOPÄDIE + REHA-TECHNIK will next be held in Leipzig from 12-15 May 2010. From 10-15 May, this leading global trade show will be augmented by the World Congress ISPO 2010 Leipzig. "We’re delighted that following Hong Kong (2004) and Vancouver (2007), Leipzig has been chosen to host this event in 2010," announced Klaus Ernst, Executive Director Trade Fairs at Leipziger Messe. "Together we will expand the international networks." In May 2010, ISPO World Congress will be organised for the very first time in connection with ORTHOPÄDIE + REHA-TECHNIK in Leipzig. Every three years, the members of the International Society for Prosthetics and Orthotics meet up for a world congress staged at a different venue.