For three days, Jaarbeurs was the beating heart of the Dutch healthcare sector. During the combined Zorg & ICT, Zorg & Food, Zorg & Facility and Zorg & HR trade fairs, over 30,000 professionals from healthcare, government, business and knowledge institutions came together in Utrecht. With one central message: the future of healthcare starts with meeting, sharing knowledge and cooperation.
Developments in healthcare are rapid and the challenges are great, from waiting lists to staff shortages. We can solve this, but then we really need to work together. Where do I really want to be in three or five years' time? You will find the answer to that at this fair.Ernst Kuipers, former health minister
One location, four trade fairs, thousands of encounters
Jaarbeurs 's exhibition halls were fully dedicated to the healthcare sector at the beginning of April. Visitors could get to know innovations, enter into new collaborations and take part in an extensive programme of content at one central location.
Under the banner 'The Future Starts Here', topical themes covered included artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, data availability, regional cooperation, nutrition in healthcare, staff shortages and future-proof work environments.
The combination of four trade fairs under one roof provided a connection between different disciplines within healthcare and encouraged cooperation between sectors that are normally less likely to meet.
Cooperation as the key to the future
The urgency within healthcare was palpable everywhere. From staff shortages to rising demand for care and digitalisation, visitors came not only for inspiration, but above all for concrete solutions.
During the opening, former Health Minister Ernst Kuipers stressed the importance of cooperation: "Developments in healthcare are rapid and the challenges are great, from waiting lists to staff shortages. We can solve this, but then we really need to work together." He also pointed out the importance of looking ahead: "Where do I actually want to be in three or five years' time? You will find the answer to that pre-eminently at this fair."
From healthtech to healthy food
Zorg & ICT fair, now 27 years old and the oldest and largest healthtech event in the Netherlands, attracted many visitors thanks to topical topics and speakers such as Bas Bloem, Bianca Rouwenhorst and Danka Stuijver.
The Zorg & Food trade fair also continued to grow. During this second edition, visitors discovered how food plays an increasingly important role in recovery, prevention and well-being. Audrey Wilschut, Cluster Manager Public at Jaarbeurs, saw how the theme was very much alive on the exhibition floor: "Nutrition plays an increasingly important role in the care of today and tomorrow. On the exhibition floor, concrete steps were taken towards healthier care. Ideas came to life and new collaborations between healthcare and food emerged."
Smart care environments and focus on staff
During Zorg & Facility, innovative solutions in the fields of furnishing, logistics and facility services took centre stage. In doing so, the fair showed how the physical environment contributes directly to better care.
Wilschut: "Innovation and facility choices largely determine how care is experienced today and tomorrow. On the exhibition floor, we saw how smart furnishing and logistics contribute to people-centred care environments."
The fourth Zorg & HR trade fair revolved around perhaps the biggest issue of the moment: sufficient and good staff. The staff shortage was a hot topic among exhibitors and visitors.
A stage for knowledge, innovation and results
With more than 400 exhibitors, 250 knowledge sessions, international speakers, live demos, expert tours and a dynamic startup zone, Jaarbeurs offered a complete platform for the healthcare sector.
The high attendance and intensive knowledge exchange confirmed the need for physical meetings within the healthcare sector. For three days, new contacts, concrete plans and sector-wide collaborations emerged.
In doing so, the Zorg& vakbeurzen once again proved their value: not just as an event, but as an accelerator of innovation and connection within the Dutch healthcare sector.
Facts & Figures
- Number of visitors: 30,000
- Location used: Jaarbeurs Utrecht
- Added value of Jaarbeurs: Central location and space for four fairs simultaneously
- Purpose of the fair: connecting healthcare professionals and sharing knowledge
- Special feature: Four trade fairs under one roof with 400 exhibitors and 250 sessions
