The next chapter in the IDS success story

More than 1,900 exhibitors from over 55 countries - 68 per cent of exhibitors from abroad - 150,000 m2 of gross exhibition space - specialized supporting programme and numerous services for exhibitors and visitors

All the signs indicate that the up-coming 35th International Dental Show will be an impressive success. The IDS, which will be held next year, will continue a positive tradition that began 90 years ago, when the first dental show took place in Germany. More than 1,900 exhibitors from over 55 countries are expected to be in Cologne from 12th to 16th March 2013 for the world's largest trade show for dentistry and dental technology. In other words, the entire dental industry, including all of the international market leaders will be represented at IDS. Here they will present a range of products and services whose breadth and depth are absolutely unique. Dental medicine and dental technology will be on display as well as dental maintenance and infection prevention techniques. Services will also be presented, as will information, communication and organization tools. Thanks to the tremendous demand for space, the fair will also occupy Hall 2.2 in addition to Halls 3, 4, 10 and 11. Altogether, 150,000 m2 of gross exhibition space will be covered. The GFDI - the Society for the Promotion of the Association of German Dental Manufacturers (VDDI) - and Koelnmesse have issued a joint statement containing the following comments: "The excellent level of registration confirms that IDS is the world's leading business and communications platform for the entire dental sector. We are therefore expecting to continue the success story regarding the number of visitors to IDS, which attracted some 118,000 visitors to Cologne in 2011. In other words, we anticipate that IDS will once again be a tremendous success in 2013 in terms of exhibitor numbers, visitor numbers, the amount of exhibition space occupied and the level of international involvement."

The International Dental Show will once again be the global meeting point for the international dental sector in 2013. Around 68 per cent of the exhibiting companies will come to Cologne from abroad. After Germany, the nations that will be the most strongly represented include Italy, the USA, the Republic of Korea, the People's Republic of China, Switzerland, France and Great Britain. In addition, there will again be a large number of joint participations from abroad in March 2013. These are being organized in conjunction with state or private export promotion organizations and associations. At present, 13 joint participation groups have registered. These come from Argentina, Brazil, Bulgaria, The People's Republic of China, Great Britain, Israel, Italy, Japan, the Republic of Korea, Pakistan, Russia, Taiwan and the USA. The broad range of products on display from around the world will give visitors the opportunity to get a comprehensive overview of the global dental industry in terms of services, product innovations and the latest trends.

Dealer's Day and specialized supporting programme
Once again in 2013, the International Dental Show will stick to its time-tested recipe for success. The concept of the event will continue to focus on business at the stands and the product information provided by the exhibitors. Correspondingly and according to tradition, 12th March 2013, the first day of the show - also referred to as Dealer's Day - will concentrate on the dental trade and importers. This special focus will provide participants with an appropriate atmosphere for undisturbed and intensive sales negotiations.

Another well-established part of the IDS programme - the Speaker's Corner - will take place in Hall 3.1, right next to the Entrance South. Here, IDS exhibitors will present new product information, services and process techniques every day of the show. In addition, speakers will report on the latest findings from the worlds of science and research.

The specialized programme for IDS 2013 will be rounded out through the participation of the German Dental Association (BZAK) and the Association of German Dental Technicians' Guilds (VDZI). The VDZI will present the 14th Gysi Prize at IDS 2013. This highly esteemed competition was conceived to honour the dental prosthetic work of apprentice dental technicians. The gold, silver and bronze medals will be presented to the winners on 14th March at a celebratory awards ceremony. The winning works will be on display in the passage between Halls 10 and 11 during the entire trade fair. Additionally, the VDZI will have a stand at the trade fair in Hall 11.2. Here, dental technicians will be able to meet with experts who can answer their questions and provide information about dental technology.

The following organizations will all be represented in Hall 11.2: the German Dental Association, the Association of Dentists in the Statutory Health Insurance System, the German Society for Dental, Oral and Maxillofacial Medicine, the Institute of German Dentists, the Agency for Quality in Dentistry, the Stiftung Hilfswerk Deutscher Zahnarzte (relief foundation supported by German dentists), the Bundesverband der Zahnmedizinstudenten in Deutschland (federal association of dental students in Germany), the Bundesverband der zahnmedizinischen Alumni in Deutschland (federal association of dental medicine alumni in Germany), the Dentista Club, the Verein fur Zahnhygiene (association for dental hygiene), the Aktion Zahnfreundlich (dental-friendly campaign), the Young Dentists Worldwide and the Zahnarztlichen Mitteilungen magazine. By visiting these organizations, dentists will have the opportunity to engage in dialogue with experts on current themes, find out about participating organizations and share information with colleagues.

In addition to its stand in Hall 11.2, the Bundesverband der zahnmedizinischen Alumni in Deutschland will also be represented at IDS 2013 by a "Generations Lounge". Here students, young dentists, experienced dentists in mid-career and dentists who are approaching retirement will be able to exchange information in a relaxed environment.

Be well prepared for IDS 2013 with the IDS app and online services
A number of digital services are available to help visitors plan the optimal trade show visit. These services contribute to goal-oriented trade show preparations and help make the visit more effective. In order to ensure optimal support, the update for the trade show's own IDS app for iPhone, Blackberry and other operating systems will be available at the beginning of December. The app can be downloaded free of charge from the IDS website. This app contains the trade show catalogue and a navigation system for mobile terminals. As a result, the app can accurately guide visitors through the exhibition halls to the desired trade show stands. In addition, the app provides information about food service offers, services available at the exhibition centre, and the event supporting programme. With the app, visitors always have important information about IDS right at their fingertips - whether they're out and about or inside the exhibition halls. The digital services include Business-Matchmaking 365. This communications and business platform enables visitors and exhibitors to contact each other directly, both before IDS 2013 begins and after it closes it doors. During the run-up to the event, visitors can use the online schedule planner to send appointment inquiries to exhibitors via e-mail. Another service, the online route planner, provides visitors with an individualized map they can use during their visit. The map includes optimal routes through the halls to specific exhibitors.

Make travel arrangements and book hotels and admission tickets online
Travel arrangements, hotels and admission tickets for the trade fair can be booked quickly and easily online, thanks to a number of services on the IDS website. Registration and ticket sales are available now through the online ticket shop. Individuals who have voucher codes should redeem them for an e-ticket at the online shop well before the trade show begins. The e-ticket isn't just valid for admission to the IDS; it also entitles the holder to travel on local public transportation. There are also special offers regarding travel to Cologne. Travellers coming to the International Dental Show by train can take advantage of reduced-fare tickets offered by the Deutsche Bahn. In addition, Lufthansa is once again the official airline of IDS. In cooperation with the Star Alliance System, Lufthansa will offer tickets to exhibitors and visitors at reduced rates for travel from over 250 cities in around 100 countries. Located very near to the exhibition centre, Cologne-Bonn Airport is a main hub for several low-cost carriers that offer flights within Germany and to other European countries at very affordable prices. There are also non-stop rail connections from the trade fair's railway station to the international airports in Dusseldorf and Frankfurt. Frankfurt Airport is less than an hour away by train. Hotel accommodation and private rooms in Cologne and the surrounding region can also be booked very easily online through the IDS website.

The International Dental Show (IDS) is held in Cologne every two years. It is organized by the GFDI - the Society for the Promotion of the Dental Industry, the commercial enterprise of the Association of German Dental Manufacturers (VDDI) - and staged by Koelnmesse GmbH, Cologne.