IDS Cologne 2027 – Germany

What to expect

IDS Cologne 2027 is the International Dental Show, the world’s largest and most influential professional dental exhibition and the leading trade fair for the dental industry. Organized for over a century, IDS has served as the industry platform where innovation, technology and trends shape the future of dentistry.

Visitors can expect the 42nd edition to demonstrate the dynamic evolution of prevention and prophylaxis and showcase future-oriented topics and solutions. The show brings together more than 2,000 exhibitors and trade visitors from 150 plus countries across roughly 180,000 square metres of gross exhibition space. In its most recent edition, IDS attracted 135,267 visitors from 156 countries and brought together 2,010 exhibitors from 61 countries.

The exhibition is held only in odd-numbered years and is the place where global manufacturers debut products months before they reach other exhibit halls. With group stands from Argentina, Brazil, Bulgaria, China, Israel, Italy, Japan, Hong Kong, South Korea, Singapore, Turkey and the US, the international leader status is confirmed.

For practitioners, laboratory owners, distributors and industry decision makers, IDS offers direct access to innovations in digital dentistry, live demonstrations, hands-on training and a platform to discover innovations, exchange knowledge and build valuable business relationships.

Event dates

Event Name: IDS Cologne 2027 – Germany
Official Website: https://www.english.ids-cologne.de/
Venue: Koelnmesse, Exhibition Centre Cologne, Messeplatz 1, 50679 Cologne, Germany
Event Dates: March 16–20, 2027
Event Format: International trade fair, professional visitors only, live exhibition
Cycle: Biennially, held only in odd-numbered years
Opening Hours: For exhibitors 08:00 AM to 07:00 PM, for visitors 09:00 AM to 06:00 PM daily
Organiser: GFDI Gesellschaft zur Förderung der Dental-Industrie mbH, the commercial enterprise of the Association of German Dental Manufacturers VDDI, staged by Koelnmesse GmbH
Edition: 42nd International Dental Show
Year of Foundation: 1923
Audience: Professional visitors only

Visiting this event? Don’t miss out on these amazing activities and local experiences while you’re here.

Venue & conference site

The venue for IDS Cologne 2027 is Koelnmesse, Messegelände Köln-Deutz, Messeplatz 1, 50679 Cologne, Germany. The site is one of the largest exhibition centres in Europe with modern infrastructure and is organized into large thematic blocks that mirror the three fronts of the dental market.

The fair spreads across a layout of seven halls of the Koelnmesse exhibition centre. Historically, IDS is staged in Halls 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 10 and 11 of the Cologne fair grounds on exhibition space spanning around 180,000 square metres. The perfectly designed hall layout with four entrances for visitors enables an ideal tour around entire dental show and offers maximum visibility for exhibiting companies.

The Messeboulevard, main artery of the fairgrounds, guides visitors easily and makes for short trips between halls. At the same time, it is an exclusive service and shopping promenade which begins at new south entrance, gateway to downtown Cologne and to Cologne Messe/Deutz train station. Hall 1 in particular has direct connection to Entrance West via additional passage.

Facilities include food court in Hall 5.1, wide aisles and light-flooded passages providing better navigation, business centres, wireless internet and congress areas.

Full scientific programme

The full scientific programme at IDS Cologne 2027 covers prevention, prophylaxis, connected dentistry and future-oriented solutions, serving as showcase for technologies, trends and ideas shaping future of dentistry.

Key programme elements include:

• IDSconnect: Free with registration, digital counterpart to exhibition hall, providing access to digital trade fair appearances, Showrooms and stages with eye-catching tiles with integrated logos taking you straight to exhibitors that are perfect fit for your business.
• Prevention and Prophylaxis Focus: Special emphasis on dynamic evolution of preventive dentistry, oral health promotion and minimally invasive concepts.
• Digital Dentistry Forum: Presentations on cloud-based and AI-enhanced workflows enabled via seamless connectivity.
• Live Demonstrations: Programme with 40 hours of live demonstrations and hands-on training from leading manufacturers.
• Exhibitors and Products Area: Digital hall plan giving access to all exhibitors in one place, providing clear and comprehensive information.

The programme promotes communication and organisational technologies, with sessions on connected dentistry, efficiency and patient care.

Key speakers & experts

Key speakers and experts at IDS Cologne include heads of sales and marketing from leading dental companies, researchers and clinicians driving innovation.

Recent editions featured presentations from Dentsply Sirona on power of connected dentistry, redefining digital dentistry through cloud based and AI enhanced workflows, Straumann Group presenting advanced digital dentistry end-to-end workflow including Straumann AXS cloud-based platform, Smile-in-a-Box and UN!Q prosthetics services, and Kuraray Europe sharing latest product developments and applications.

Experts from industry such as Carsten Barnowski, head of Sales and Marketing DACH at Kuraray Europe, and development teams behind innovations like Straumann Signature Midas high-performance chairside 3D printing in collaboration with SprintRay, Primescan intraoral scanner and aligner software, and first dental-dedicated magnetic resonance imaging scanner Magnetom Free.Max Dental Edition from alliance between Dentsply Sirona and Siemens Healthineers.

The speaker pool includes representatives from over 60 countries, with international researchers presenting on implantology, orthodontics and digital workflows.

Research & scientific topics

Research and scientific topics at IDS Cologne cover the entire dental spectrum and reflect current scientific evidence and clinical needs.

Core research areas:

• Digital Dentistry: Cloud-native intraoral scanning, AI-enhanced diagnostics, CAD/CAM systems, 3D printing of prosthetic components such as crowns, inlays and onlays in under 10 minutes.
• Prevention and Prophylaxis: Minimally invasive treatments, self-adhesive and application-resistant restoration materials as alternatives to amalgam, preventive care protocols.
• Implantology: Advanced implant systems, digital planning, guided surgery, prosthetic solutions.
• Orthodontics: Aligner software, clear aligner workflows, digital smile design.
• Laboratory Technology: Materials for dental laboratories, milling systems, sintering, ceramics.
• Imaging and Diagnostics: Intraoral scanners detecting soft tissue and almost all tooth surfaces, full jaw impression in about three minutes, MRI with dental-dedicated scan protocols and coil shedding light on intrinsic advantages of MRI in both preventive and corrective oral care.

Sustainability, infection control and communication technologies complete the scientific agenda.

Sessions, presentations & panels

Sessions, presentations and panels at IDS are organized across stages in exhibition halls and in digital Showrooms.

Attendees can expect keynote presentations on connected dentistry, panel discussions on future of dental industry, product launches from global manufacturers and clinical case presentations. Stages with eye-catching tiles provide quick navigation to relevant topics.

Topics include Straumann CARES building on tradition extending comprehensive range, using most advanced computer assisted modeling technology enabling dental technician to digitize oral situation using inLab or inEos scanner and design individualized abutment on computer, plus presentations on Primescan 2 leveraging power of cloud with emphasis on seamless connectivity, faster workflows and smarter integrations.

All sessions are held in English and German with simultaneous translation for major forums.

Workshops & demonstrations

Workshops and demonstrations at IDS provide hands-on learning and direct product experience.

Leading exhibitors offer live demonstration areas. For example, Dentsply Sirona offered programme with 40 hours of live demonstrations and hands-on training in recent edition. VOCO from Cuxhaven presented with presentation area of over 430 square metres across three stands, ranking among largest exhibitors.

Demonstrations include intraoral scanning with touchscreen changing incline for optimal screen positioning, chairside 3D printing with Midas Digital Press, digital press printing of prosthetic components, and magnetic resonance imaging for dental applications.

Workshops cover aligner software, end-to-end digital workflows, preventive protocols and laboratory techniques, with registration via Exhibitors and Products platform.

Registration & ticket types

Registration and ticket types for IDS Cologne are handled by Koelnmesse on official website. Visitor admission prices are affordable to encourage professional attendance.

Based on official listings, ticket prices in USD converted from Euro are as follows. Prices from 2023 and 2025 editions remain valid as reference where 2027 pricing has not yet been published.

• Day Ticket: USD 16.30. Based on EUR 15.00 for one day. Valid for one day entry to all halls.
• 2-Day Ticket: USD 20.65. Based on EUR 19.00.
• Season Ticket for Entire Duration: USD 26.10. Based on EUR 24.00 for five days.
• Day Ticket Reduced for Students and Trainees: USD 8.15. Based on EUR 7.50. Entitlement to reduction checked upon admission, please have corresponding proof of eligibility.
• IDSconnect Digital Access: USD 0.00. Free with registration, provides access to digital trade fair appearances and Showrooms.

Tickets can be purchased online via official ticket shop. Day ticket prices in some listings show EUR 13.00 variant, converted to USD 14.12. All tickets include access to digital platform.

Professional & industry access

Professional and industry access at IDS is restricted to professional visitors only. The trade fair is not open to general public. Audience includes dentists, dental technicians, dental hygienists, laboratory owners, distributors, manufacturers and students with proof.

Verification of professional status may be requested at entrance. The trade fair serves as platform where family-run businesses can groom both national and international business relationships and establish new contacts.

Cycle is biennially, ensuring innovations are presented with sufficient development time. Over 1,000 companies confirmed participation well in advance for recent editions, confirming international leader status of most important global dental show.

Exhibitors & pharmaceutical companies

Exhibitors and pharmaceutical companies at IDS represent full dental industry with over 2,000 exhibitors from more than 50 countries expected.

Featured exhibitors include:

• Dentsply Sirona: Showcasing new standards for efficiency and patient care, cloud-based and AI-enhanced workflows, Primescan intraoral scanner, aligner software, MRI alliance with Siemens Healthineers.
• Straumann Group: Advanced digital dentistry end-to-end workflow, Straumann AXS cloud-based platform integrating Smile-in-a-Box and UN!Q prosthetics services, Straumann Signature Midas 3D printer co-branded with SprintRay, CARES abutments in collaboration with Sirona.
• Kuraray Europe, VOCO GmbH: Latest product developments and applications, new products across three trade fair stands, restoration materials.
• Other leading manufacturers: Companies from Argentina, Brazil, Bulgaria, China, Israel, Italy, Japan, Hong Kong, South Korea, Singapore, Turkey and US represented by group stands, including imaging, materials, equipment and laboratory technology providers.
• Emerging innovators: Start-ups presenting communication and organisational technologies, 3D printing and AI diagnostics.

Exhibition spans seven halls with roughly 180,000 sqm, offering maximum visibility for exhibiting companies.

Networking & professional meetings

Networking and professional meetings at IDS are facilitated by both physical and digital tools.

The Exhibitors and Products area acts as digital counterpart to exhibition hall, allowing visitors to find exactly what they are looking for via stages that take you straight to perfect fit exhibitors. Showrooms provide clear and comprehensive information for pre-scheduling meetings.

Physical networking areas include food court in Hall 5.1, wide aisles and light-flooded passages for better navigation, and smooth visitor-friendly access guaranteeing more even distribution across halls. Four entrances enable ideal tour around entire show.

International group stands facilitate country-specific networking, while evening events hosted by exhibitors provide informal meeting opportunities in Cologne old town.

Event rules & accreditation

Event rules and accreditation for IDS Cologne ensure professional and safe environment.

• Professional admission only: Audience professional visitors only, proof may be requested, students must show corresponding proof of eligibility.
• Opening hours: For exhibitors 08:00 AM to 07:00 PM, for visitors 09:00 AM to 06:00 PM daily.
• Badge policy: Personalized badge must be worn visibly, non-transferable.
• Photography: Commercial photography requires press accreditation, private photography allowed without flash.
• Health and safety: Security offices located North and East, first-aid stations in all halls, compliance with German trade fair regulations.

IDSconnect free with registration provides digital access with registration required.

How to get there

Koelnmesse is centrally located and easily accessible by car, train, airplane and public transport from many cities in Germany and abroad.

By train: Arrival by train to IDS is recommended. Köln Messe/Deutz station for high-speed trains is located directly next to exhibition grounds. Pay as little as EUR 59.00 one-way with Event Ticket. That special extra, Event Ticket at single nationwide price available at every DB station for single journey for use only on one specific connection subject to availability. Best price ticket with Deutsche Bahn available via special link.

By car: Koelnmesse is quickly and directly accessible from highway. Ten motorways linked with motorway ring around Cologne lead directly to fair grounds without being held up by crossroads or traffic lights. Use NUNAV Navigation via Koelnmesse app.

By airplane: Cologne-Bonn Airport approx 15 km from venue, Düsseldorf Airport approx 60 km and Frankfurt Airport approx 180 km with direct train connections to Köln Messe/Deutz station.

Visa support for trade fair participants from countries whose citizens require visa for travelling to Germany is available via official letter of invitation from Koelnmesse.

Public transport & parking

Public transport ticket for IDS is typically included via VRS network of Rhine-Sieg transport system.

Public transport stops within walking distance:

• Entrance South: Suburban train stop Köln Messe/Deutz numbers S6, S11, S12, S13 and tram and underground stop Köln Messe/Deutz Underground numbers 1 and 9
• Entrances East, West, North: Tram and underground stop numbers 3 and 4

Parking: Multi-storey car parks P1 to P21 around Koelnmesse, limited capacity during peak days. Park and Ride facilities at city outskirts with direct tram connection. Exhibitor logistics via separate truck entrance with time-slot management.

Tram station Koelnmesse Lines 3 and 4 at East Entrance and train stations Köln Hauptbahnhof and Köln Messe/Deutz with tram lines 1 and 9 at Bf Deutz/Messe/Lanxess Arena are primary hubs.

Accommodation areas

Accommodation areas around Cologne offer wide range for trade fair visitors.

Recommended areas:

• Deutz and Messe vicinity: Directly adjacent to Koelnmesse, 5 to 15 minutes walk to Entrance South, business hotels ideal for early exhibitor access from 08:00 AM.
• City Center / Altstadt: Historic center with Cologne Cathedral, museums, parks and gardens, 10 minutes via tram lines 1 and 9.
• Ehrenfeld and Belgisches Viertel: Trendy districts with boutique hotels, close to Entrance North via lines 3 and 4.
• Airport area Cologne-Bonn: Convenient for international travelers with direct S-Bahn connection.

Early booking via official hotel booking portal is recommended as IDS attracts over 135,000 visitors and hotels fill quickly. Four entrances enable even distribution and reduce congestion.

Accessibility

Koelnmesse is fully accessible for visitors with mobility impairments, offering step-free access to Halls 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 10 and 11 via lifts and ramps, accessible toilets on all levels, reserved parking close to entrances and wheelchair rental on request.

For visitors with hearing or visual impairments, guided tours and assistance services can be requested in advance via official website. All entrances have tactile guidance systems and induction loops in congress halls.

Barrier-free trade fair visit information is available under Travel and accommodation section on official site.

Previous year’s highlights

Previous year’s highlights show IDS has served for over a century as industry platform where innovation, technology and trends shape future of dentistry.

Recent editions recorded 135,267 visitors from 156 countries and 2,010 exhibitors from 61 countries across 180,000 square metres, with over 1,000 companies already confirmed well in advance. Jubilee event of IDS 2023 celebrated 100 years with numerous group stands from Argentina, Brazil, Bulgaria, China, Israel, Italy, Japan, Hong Kong, Korea, Singapore and more.

Highlights included Dentsply Sirona showcasing power of connected dentistry with cloud native solutions, Straumann unveiling two groundbreaking innovations for digital dentistry including high-performance chairside 3D printing, and presentation of self-adhesive restoration material as alternative to amalgam.

The perfectly designed hall layout with four entrances enabled ideal tour and maximum visibility, with Hall 1 direct connection to Entrance West via additional passage and food court in Hall 5.1 enhancing overall quality of stay.

Official registration

Official registration for IDS Cologne 2027 is only available via official website https://www.english.ids-cologne.de/ and ticket shop linked there. Tickets, registration and daily opening hours are handled by Koelnmesse on official IDS website.

Process includes buying tickets online, redeeming ticket code and accessing IDSconnect free with registration. Overview tickets section provides Buy tickets, Redeem Ticket code and How to make best of visit information.

For support contact info@gfdi.de or Koelnmesse hotline +49 221 821-2551. Subscribe for IDS Newsletter to receive updates.