From free educational opportunities to networking with your peers, the Midwest's most comprehensive advanced manufacturing event offers something for every medtech professional.

Jamie Hartford

With more than 300 medical device establishments and industry employment approaching 30,000, Minnesota is the No. 2 state for medtech, according to a report from Qmed. The Twin Cities are the center of the state's vibrant medical device community, and next month Minneapolis will play host to Medical Design & Manufacturing (MD&M) Minneapolis, the Midwest's most comprehensive advanced manufacturing event.

Slated for September 21-22 at the Minneapolis convention center, the MD&M Minneapolis conference and expo will draw thousands of industry professionals to the city. Here are just a few of the opportunities attendees can take advantage of at the event.

Learn from Industry Luminaries

This year's MD&M Minneapolis conference will bring together the best minds in the business for two days of learning on the topics that matter most to medtech professionals.

Minneapolis is the beating heart of the cardiovascular device sector, so it's fitting that the conference is addressing one of the hottest segments in the space, structural heart innovation. Touching on topics ranging from next-generation transcatheter aortic valve design to the emerging technologies of transcatheter mitral valve replacement and percutaneous tricuspid valve repair, this track features speakers from leading companies like Edwards Lifesciences and Medtronic.

In two product development tracks, speakers including industry executives and engineers, as well as regulators and design experts, will discuss how new product development models are driving innovation and address how sensors and data management can help device companies meet product development goals. Highlights include a panel on how to get your product into the hospital, featuring Mayo Clinic's senior manager of supply chain management, and advice on balancing the role consumerization plays in medtech from a novel startup that wants to disrupt autism diagnosis.

The fourth conference track will address how engineers can harness 3-D printing to develop next-generation medical devices. From the latest trends in additive manufacturing materials and techniques to overcoming regulatory and intellectual property challenges, this track will give attendees the knowledge they need to take full advantage of this exciting technology.

Free Educational Opportunities

Even those who aren't attending the paid conference can come away from MD&M Minneapolis with new knowledge to hone their craft thanks to a host of free educational opportunities.

Keynote presentations are open to all MD&M Minneapolis attendees, providing an inspiring start to each day. On Wednesday, Scott Nelson, CEO and chief technology officer at Reuleaux Technology, will explain how to not just make your digital health device work, but how to actually make it matter to users--a concept that's critical to adoption and compliance. On Thursday, former Navy SEAL team combat medic David Rutherford will share stories about his battlefield experience that just might inspire your next medical device.  

All day long, MD&M Minneapolis attendees can check out free content on Center Stage, located on the expo floor. Highlights include a session featuring engineers from Stryker and Zimmer Biomet who help create medical devices by day and design robots built for destruction by night, and an interactive, Family Feud-style gameshow that will help you better meet customer needs when developing medical devices.

Attendees can also get expert advice in the Tech Theater, where industry suppliers will share insights on topics such as design verification testing.                                

Show Floor

With more than 600 exhibitors showcasing their products and capabilities in the expo hall, the MD&M Minneapolis show floor is a great opportunity to meet face-to-face with suppliers and contract partners that could help enhance your business.

You can check out everything from additive manufacturing solutions to batteries, manufacturing equipment, medical device components, sensor technologies, and more. Navigate on your own or sign up for one of the innovation tours to have an expert show you the highlights.

Best of all, there will be a 3-D printer giveaway every hour.

Networking

MD&M Minneapolis will draw more than 5000 medtech professionals to the convention center, providing an unparalleled opportunity to connect with your peers in the industry.

The all-new Connection Corner will feature roundtable discussions and meetups on topics ranging from materials to sensors, so you can connect with colleagues who share your interests or get help solving pressing problems. On Wednesday, join the medical design and manufacturing speed networking session to be paired with other industry professionals for mini-meetings that could lead to new opportunities and partnerships. For networking in a more casual environment, join up with the booth crawl on Wendesday, where you can enjoy free beer, wine, and snacks as you connect with your peers, browse participating booths, and chat up suppliers.

See you at the show!

Jamie Hartford is MD+DI's editor-in-chief and serves as director of medical content for UBM's Advanced Manufacturing Group. Reach her at [email protected].