Many of the leading competitors, however, had different goals. In this case, the primary focus was relationship management. Many of these competitors occupied multiple booths (in fact, DENTSPLY's booths covered over half a floor to become DENTSPLY Village!) in order to make sure that there were enough personnel and coverage to meet the questions of their current customers. In many cases, it was also the chance for these global companies to bring together teams from different regions of the world to meet one another and share their insights.
Finally, as I mentioned in the previous post, I?ve noticed an abundance of new companies that I had never heard of before. These companies are using the IDS as a chance to access the large Western European markets, find suitable distributors, and build awareness for their brands. While it is unlikely that all of the new companies will survive the competitiveness of the dental implant market, IDS has proven to be a platform for partnerships and expanding networks. At the same time, I think it is also perfect for those interested in competitive intelligence.