BACK TO THE FUTURE: OTWORLD 2022 PLANS GLOBAL EVENT
Preparations have started for OTWorld 2022. In the wake of the exclusively digital OTWorld.connect, the industry eagerly awaits the next edition of its global event, once again to be held as a face-to-face gathering in Leipzig from 10 to 13 May 2022. Developed and tested through the pandemic, many of the digital elements will help expand the event’s international reach.
«In the midst of the Corona crisis, we succeeded in digitally setting up OTWorld.connect, one of the largest medical congresses held last year, complete with showrooms and workshops for the participating industry. 49 per cent of accesseswere registered from abroad. We have thus proved our comprehensive expertise and have analysed, adapted and further developed the knowledge gained. This is why OTWorld will be «digitally enhanced» in future together with partners from industry, business and associations, says Martin Buhl-Wagner, Managing Director of Leipziger Messe. «There remains, however, a great desire in the sector to finally be able to meet personally again to exchange the latest expertise – everyone is looking forward to the reunion in Leipzig! For this reason, planning for the international flagship event OTWorld is already underway.»
«Last year we demonstrated: the healthcare industry can go digital – and then some!», emphasises Alf Reuter, President of the German Association of Orthopaedic Technology (BIV-OT), the conceptual partner of OTWorld. «We have shown what is possible with the aid of digital tools and explored the limits: the provision of medical aids requires contact with patients and personal exchange with colleagues. As much as we value videoconferencing: we all eagerly await the in-person event», says Reuter.
«In 2022, we will once again be the voice of our globally networked industry at OTWorld in Leipzig,» says Reuter. «Corona rapid tests and vaccinations open up the possibility of meeting again in person – even if the pandemic has not yet completely abated. I assume that our target group, which includes, among others, medical staff with high patient commitment, will be, to a large extent, vaccinated by then». On top of that, with «Safe Expo» Leipziger Messe has developed a comprehensive, flexible hygiene concept.