The medtech industry has played a vital role in the efforts to combat COVID-19. From ventilators to diagnostic tests, new at-home treatments and much more, the community has proved even a global pandemic cannot keep innovation and progress at bay. Unfortunately, due to the same circumstances, medtech leaders are unable to safely convene at in-person conferences that were previously leveraged to inspire ideas, collaboration, and growth for the industry. That is why Informa Markets – Engineering, organizer of Medical Design & Manufacturing (MD&M) and BIOMEDevice events among others as well as publisher of MD+DI, will host its largest digital event to-date, Virtual Engineering Week. Taking place November 30 through December 4, 2020, the five-day event is designed to bring together the close-knit manufacturing community through education, sourcing, and networking opportunities at a time when in-person connection is not feasible.

Steve Everly, Group Event Director, Virtual Engineering Week, answered a few questions for a sneak peek into what attendees can expect. For anyone interested in tuning in to the event, registration is open at engineering.im.informa.com/2020.

What will Virtual Engineering Week offer those in the medtech industry?

Everly: Our all-new digital event will provide best-in-class education with daily keynotes, expert panel discussions, and live Q&As. Throughout the week, each day will kick off with a Medtech Morning series beginning with a keynote presentation from medtech’s best and brightest including executives from IoPP Medical Device Packing Committee (MDPTC), Mayo Clinic, Medical Alley, and more, followed by a packed education schedule that dives into the key technologies moving the industry forward.

With more than 100 sessions in total, attendees will be able to pick and choose which informative talks interest them most and hear from leaders at top medtech companies including:

Attendees will also have access to a premier virtual exhibition hall showcasing hundreds of virtual exhibitor booths connecting them directly to leading medtech, automation, design, packaging, plastics, and quality companies to explore the latest innovations, schedule 1:1 meetings, and see live demos. Notably, the following medtech exhibitors will be presenting new technologies during the Virtual Product Showcase:

What are the industry trends and main focus areas and topics that will be discussed?

Everly: The Virtual Engineering Week conference will dive into timely issues and trends affecting engineers right now with sessions on topics ranging from digital health and miniaturization, to 3D printing, smart manufacturing, medical device product development, robotics, and more. Speakers will also touch on how the pandemic has impacted aspects of the medtech industry as well as future predictions for the industry. Below are a few featured sessions:

Monday, November 30 | 11:00am - 11:30am

HOW HAS THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC AFFECTED ADOPTION OF 3D PRINTING IN MEDTECH

Speaker: Cynthia Star (Johnson & Johnson 3D Printing)

Tuesday, December 1 | 9:30am - 10:00am

NEXT-GEN TECHNOLOGIES: MINIATURIZATION, WEARABLES & IMPLANTABLES

Speakers: Dr. Patrick Ganzer (Battelle), Dr. Jonathan Reeder (University of Oregon Knight Campus)

Wednesday, December 2 | 9:30am - 10:00am

DRIVING INNOVATION IN MEDICAL DEVICE PACKAGING

Speakers: Rod Patch  (Johnson & Johnson Vision), Jennifer Benolken  (Dupont)

Thursday, December 3 | 11:00am - 12:00pm

ASK THE EXPERTS: SUSTAINABILITY, ENVIRONMENTAL RESPONSIBILITY & THE MEDICAL DEVICE COMMUNITY

Moderator: Len Czuba  (Czuba Enterprises, Inc.)

Panelists: Vipul Davé, PhD  (Johnson & Johnson), Frank Pokrop  (Quidel Corporation), Randy Barko (Ximedica)

Anything else you’d like to add?

Everly: I’d like to note that the event is free to attend and if you cannot tune in to any of the sessions live, they will be available for on-demand viewing for a month following. For anyone who has not traveled to one of our in-person events, this is a spectacular opportunity to receive the educational aspects and truly connect with other industry members on a global scale.

This year has looked different for everyone. The medtech community has responded to the COVID-19 pandemic with innovation, collaboration, and determination and in return has played a significant role in combatting this crisis. As producers of the leading medtech events across the nation, we take pride in serving this essential industry. We’re excited to offer Virtual Engineering Week, providing a new opportunity to accelerate much needed and lasting growth across the industry.