November is the busiest month of the medical trade fair year, and 2026 is no exception. Within four weeks there is a major dental show in Mexico City, a medtech summit in Malta, the MEDICA and COMPAMED double fair in Düsseldorf, a hospital equipment show in Tokyo, the largest dental congress in France, a pharmaceutical and medical fair in Ho Chi Minh City, and two big American meetings (one dental, one radiology) that run into early December. This guide lists the November 2026 events that matter most to surgical, dental and medical instrument makers, buyers and distributors. For each one it gives the dates, venue and official website, says who the event really suits, and links to the SurgiFacts.com exhibition page where one exists.
All dates and venues below were checked on each event’s official website on 30 October 2026. Organisers do change programmes, halls and opening hours, so confirm the details on the official site before you book travel or a stand.
November 2026 at a glance
| Dates (2026) | Event | City and venue | Main focus |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4–8 November | AMIC Dental 2026 | Mexico City, World Trade Center Ciudad de México | Dental |
| 11–13 November | MedTech World Europe 2026 | Valletta, Malta, Mediterranean Conference Centre | Medtech business summit |
| 16–19 November | MEDICA 2026 | Düsseldorf, Germany, Messe Düsseldorf | Broad medical technology |
| 16–19 November | COMPAMED 2026 | Düsseldorf, Germany, Messe Düsseldorf (Halls 8a and 8b) | Suppliers, components, manufacturing |
| 18–20 November | HOSPEX Japan 2026 | Tokyo, Tokyo Big Sight, West Hall 2 | Hospital and care facility equipment |
| 24–28 November | Congrès ADF 2026 | Paris, Palais des Congrès de Paris – Porte Maillot | Dental |
| 25–27 November | Vietnam Medi-Pharm 2026 | Ho Chi Minh City, Saigon Exhibition and Convention Center (SECC) | Pharmaceuticals, medical and hospital equipment |
| 27 November – 1 December (exhibits 29 Nov – 1 Dec) | Greater New York Dental Meeting 2026 | New York, Jacob K. Javits Convention Center | Dental |
| 29 November – 3 December (exhibits 29 Nov – 2 Dec) | RSNA 2026 | Chicago, McCormick Place | Radiology and imaging |
Our full calendar, with past and future editions, is on the medical and surgical exhibitions directory.
The events in detail
AMIC Dental 2026, Mexico City (4–8 November)
AMIC Dental is Mexico’s large annual dental exhibition and congress, held at the World Trade Center Ciudad de México. According to the official website, visitor registration runs entirely through the Expo AMIC Dental app, and a BeAMIC card gives repeat visitors access for five years without re-registering. When we checked, the stand request form was open to national exhibitors, while the form for foreign exhibitors was marked “coming soon”, so overseas companies wanting space should contact the organiser directly.
Who should attend: makers and exporters of dental hand instruments (extraction forceps, elevators, periodontal and restorative instruments) looking for Mexican and wider Latin American distributors, and distributors sourcing new lines.
MedTech World Europe 2026, Valletta (11–13 November)
MedTech World Europe takes place at the Mediterranean Conference Centre in Valletta, a building that the organiser notes was originally the 16th-century Sacra Infermeria of the Order of St John. The event site describes it as a summit for innovators, investors and healthcare leaders, with two stages, an exhibition floor, a start-up pitch and awards. Its own attendee breakdown is about 35% start-ups, 25% service providers and 20% investors, out of more than 2,000 participants.
Who should attend: this is a networking and investment event rather than a sourcing fair. It suits medtech founders, regulatory and contract-manufacturing service providers, and companies looking for partners or funding. A classic instrument exporter looking for hospital buyers will find more of them in Düsseldorf the following week.
MEDICA 2026, Düsseldorf (16–19 November)
MEDICA is Messe Düsseldorf’s international trade fair for medical technology and healthcare, and the most important single November date for most instrument companies. The official opening hours are 10:00 to 18:00 from Monday to Wednesday and 10:00 to 16:00 on Thursday. For 2026 the organiser has reorganised the fair into five main exhibition areas, from clinical diagnostics and therapeutic technologies to digital medicine, integrated care, health infrastructure, education and global health, and lists “Internationalisation & Country Pavilions” among its thematic focal points. Visitors can use the free Fair Match service to request meetings before and during the fair.
Who should attend: instrument manufacturers seeking distributors in Europe, the Middle East, Africa and Asia; importers and hospital purchasing teams comparing suppliers; and anyone who wants to see a large share of the industry in one place. We cover hall layout, tickets, travel and meeting planning in detail in our planning guide to MEDICA and COMPAMED 2026, published two days after this article.
COMPAMED 2026, Düsseldorf (16–19 November)
COMPAMED runs at the same time and on the same grounds as MEDICA. According to Messe Düsseldorf, it stays in Halls 8a and 8b and focuses on the supply side of medical technology: manufacturing, component modules and systems, materials, chemicals and surface technologies, compliance, quality, regulation and market access, and software. The COMPAMED site lists three forums: the COMPAMED Innovation Forum, the COMPAMED HIGH-TECH FORUM by IVAM and the COMPAMED SUPPLIERS FORUM by DeviceMed. Opening hours match MEDICA.
Who should attend: instrument makers sourcing steel, coatings, machining, packaging or contract manufacturing; engineers and quality managers; and OEM brands looking for production partners. For factory owners from instrument clusters such as Tuttlingen and Sialkot, the COMPAMED halls can be as useful as MEDICA itself.
HOSPEX Japan 2026, Tokyo (18–20 November)
HOSPEX Japan is a trade show for equipment, devices and digital services for medical and welfare facilities, run with the Japan Management Association as secretariat. The official site gives the dates as 18 to 20 November 2026, 9:30 to 17:00, in West Hall 2 of Tokyo Big Sight. Its twelve product groups include examination, treatment, surgery and ward equipment; medical and welfare supplies; logistics and supply management; and infection control and hygiene.
Who should attend: companies already active in, or preparing for, the Japanese hospital market, and their local partners. It is a domestic, Japanese-language show, so overseas suppliers usually get most from it with a Japanese distributor at their side. HOSPEX Japan is not yet in the SurgiFacts.com directory.
Congrès ADF 2026, Paris (24–28 November)
The annual congress of the Association Dentaire Française, which describes itself on its official site as the largest dental congress in Europe, takes place from 24 to 28 November 2026 at the Palais des Congrès de Paris – Porte Maillot. It combines a scientific programme with a large dental industry exhibition. ADF is not yet in our directory.
Who should attend: dental instrument manufacturers and distributors targeting France and French-speaking markets. Exhibitors should note that the visitors are mainly practising dentists and their teams, so the conversation is closer to the end user than at a general fair.
Vietnam Medi-Pharm 2026, Ho Chi Minh City (25–27 November)
The 35th Vietnam Medi-Pharm is organised by Vimedimex (the Vietnam Medical Import-Export Joint Stock Company) with VIETFAIR, and the official site lists the Vietnamese Ministry of Health among its supporters. It runs from 25 to 27 November 2026 at the Saigon Exhibition and Convention Center (SECC), 799 Nguyễn Văn Linh. The exhibition sections listed on the site cover pharmaceuticals and functional foods, medical, hospital and dental equipment, laboratory equipment, and medical tourism. The site also announces the following edition for 6–9 May 2027 in Hanoi.
Who should attend: exporters looking for Vietnamese importers and distributors, and regional buyers.
Greater New York Dental Meeting 2026, New York (27 November – 1 December)
The Greater New York Dental Meeting runs from 27 November to 1 December, with the exhibit floor open from Sunday 29 November to Tuesday 1 December at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center, according to the official website. The site notes there is no exhibit floor on the Wednesday. It is not yet in our directory.
Who should attend: dental instrument brands and distributors serving the US market. Foreign manufacturers usually reach US dentists through American distributors, so the meeting is most useful for meeting those distributors and seeing how competing brands present their ranges.
RSNA 2026, Chicago (29 November – 3 December)
The Radiological Society of North America’s annual meeting runs from 29 November to 3 December 2026 at McCormick Place, with the technical exhibits open from 29 November to 2 December, according to the RSNA website.
Who should attend: RSNA is about imaging, not hand instruments. It matters to interventional radiology suppliers, makers of biopsy and image-guided instruments, and component suppliers to imaging companies. For most surgical instrument makers it is optional.
Which November event suits you?
- You make general surgical or dental instruments and want new distributors: MEDICA first; AMIC Dental, ADF or the Greater New York Dental Meeting if dental is your core and you have a target market in mind.
- You buy for a hospital group or distribution business: MEDICA gives the widest choice in four days. Vietnam Medi-Pharm and HOSPEX Japan suit buyers focused on those markets.
- You need materials, machining, coatings or a contract manufacturer: COMPAMED.
- You are raising money or looking for strategic partners: MedTech World Europe.
- You supply interventional or imaging-related products: RSNA.
For a broader explanation of how broad fairs, supplier fairs and specialty congresses differ, see our guide to medical and surgical instrument trade fairs.
Planning tips for November travel
Visas
With MEDICA only three weeks away at the time of writing, visitors who need a Schengen visa should apply immediately if they have not already. Messe Düsseldorf’s FAQ says visitors do not need an invitation letter from the trade fair company: the online visitor eTicket serves as proof of the visit, and exhibitors use their exhibitor authorisation. Requirements for Mexico, France, Japan, Vietnam and the United States depend on your nationality, so check with the relevant embassy or consulate early. Processing times can be longer than the time left before these events.
Hotels
Düsseldorf hotels fill up during MEDICA and prices rise sharply. Messe Düsseldorf’s hotel page points visitors to its booking partner and to Düsseldorf Tourismus, and also offers cabins on river hotel ships. Some visitors stay in neighbouring cities and commute by train. In New York and Chicago, the official housing blocks of each meeting usually give the best access to shuttle routes.
Meetings
- Book meetings at least two weeks ahead. Use MEDICA’s Fair Match tool, and email distributors directly with a short company profile, your product range and the markets you serve.
- Exhibitors: bring a printed or digital catalogue with clear item codes, sizes and materials, plus copies of the certificates you actually hold. Buyers will ask. Our guide on how to read a surgical instrument catalogue shows what buyers look for.
- Buyers: shortlist suppliers before you travel and check them afterwards. Our checklist on how to check a medical instrument supplier covers certificates, samples and references.
- Keep a simple follow-up log: who you met, what was promised (samples, price lists, certificates) and by when.
Frequently asked questions
What is the biggest medical trade fair in November 2026?
MEDICA in Düsseldorf, held with COMPAMED from 16 to 19 November 2026, is the largest and most international medical technology fair of the month. It is the one most instrument manufacturers and distributors put first.
Is there a separate ticket for COMPAMED?
MEDICA and COMPAMED share the same grounds and dates. MEDICA’s ticket page says its Premium Ticket gives full access to MEDICA and COMPAMED throughout the event. Check in the official ticket shop which fairs your chosen ticket covers.
Are there any surgical instrument fairs in Pakistan or the Gulf in November 2026?
We did not find a verified November 2026 medical exhibition in Pakistan. In the Gulf, the large Saudi event, the Global Health Exhibition in Riyadh, says on its website that its next edition has been rescheduled to 25–28 October 2027. The next big Gulf date is WHX Dubai 2027 (formerly Arab Health), from 25 to 28 January 2027. The next major Pakistani healthcare fair on our calendar is Healthcare Expo Karachi 2027, from 8 to 10 April 2027.
Is it too late to apply for a Schengen visa for MEDICA?
Possibly. The European Commission’s visa pages say a short-stay application must be lodged at least 15 days before the trip and that the normal processing time is 15 days, which can stretch to 45 days when more documents or checks are needed. With MEDICA starting on 16 November, apply at once and ask your visa centre whether an appointment is still realistic. If it is not, plan for a later fair instead of booking non-refundable travel.
Do I need an invitation letter from Messe Düsseldorf?
No. Messe Düsseldorf’s FAQ says visitors need no invitation from the fair company for a Schengen visa: the online visitor eTicket is the proof of the visit. Exhibitors use their exhibitor authorisation instead. Everything else the consulate asks for, such as a business letter from your employer or proof of funds, depends on the German mission that handles your application.
Can I visit MEDICA and HOSPEX Japan in the same week?
Only with a tight schedule. MEDICA runs from 16 to 19 November and HOSPEX Japan from 18 to 20 November, so the two overlap on 18 and 19 November. Most people choose one. HOSPEX suits companies with a Japanese partner already in place; MEDICA suits anyone looking for distributors in many countries at once.
Which November events are dental shows?
AMIC Dental in Mexico City (4–8 November), Congrès ADF in Paris (24–28 November) and the Greater New York Dental Meeting (exhibits 29 November to 1 December). Each serves a different market: Mexico and Latin America, France and French-speaking countries, and the United States. MEDICA also has dental exhibitors, but it is not a dental congress.
Is RSNA worth it for a surgical instrument maker?
Usually not, unless you make biopsy needles, interventional instruments or components for imaging companies. RSNA is a radiology meeting, and the people walking its exhibit halls are buying scanners, software and imaging services. A hand-instrument exporter will meet far more relevant buyers in Düsseldorf.
Are MEDICA and COMPAMED open to the general public?
MEDICA presents itself as a B2B trade fair for the medical industry, and its exhibitors and programme are aimed at professionals. The organiser’s FAQ does not set out admission rules for members of the public, so if you are not attending for work, check with Messe Düsseldorf’s visitor service before buying a ticket.
Should a small instrument maker exhibit or just visit?
Many small manufacturers visit first, walk the halls to see competitors and pricing, and book meetings with distributors before paying for a stand the following year. A stand makes sense once you have a clear target market, a catalogue and documentation ready, and staff who can follow up quickly.
How far ahead should I book meetings at a November fair?
Two to three weeks ahead is a sensible minimum for MEDICA, and earlier for busy distributors. MEDICA’s Fair Match tool lets registered visitors and exhibitors propose one-to-one appointments, and the organiser says it stays available after the fair. Send a short company profile with your request so the other side knows why the meeting is worth their time.
What documents should an exhibitor bring?
A catalogue with item codes, sizes and materials; a price basis; and copies of the certificates and registrations you actually hold, with their expiry dates. Buyers increasingly ask to see a current ISO 13485 certificate and to know who the legal manufacturer is for each market. Our certifications hub explains what the common documents mean.
Does an exhibitor badge or stand prove a company is a manufacturer?
No. Trading companies, exporters and brand owners exhibit alongside factories, and a stand says nothing about certification. Ask which steps are done in-house and check certificates afterwards. Our explainer on manufacturers, suppliers, exporters, OEM and ODM sets out the differences.
How do I find out which companies are exhibiting?
Most organisers publish an online exhibitor list in the weeks before the event. MEDICA’s exhibitor and product search lets you filter by product term and country and save favourites in the app. For smaller events, the exhibitor list may appear only shortly before opening, so ask the organiser if it is not online yet.
Are the dates in this guide final?
They are the dates the official event websites showed on 30 October 2026. Organisers can still change halls, opening hours and programmes, and occasionally postpone an edition, as the Global Health Exhibition in Riyadh has done. Check the official site again in the week before you travel.
What comes after November on the exhibition calendar?
December is quiet, with mostly national and regional shows. The next large international dates are in Dubai: AEEDC Dubai 2027 for dental in mid-January and WHX Dubai from 25 to 28 January 2027. The full list is on our exhibitions calendar.
How should a buyer follow up after a fair?
Within a week, send each supplier a written summary of what was agreed: samples, price lists, certificates and dates. Compare the samples against one checklist rather than against your memory of the stand. Our guide on how to check a medical instrument supplier lists the documents to ask for.
Is it worth visiting a fair only for COMPAMED?
For factory owners, engineers and quality managers it can be. COMPAMED is where suppliers of materials, surface treatments, machining, packaging and contract manufacturing exhibit, and it is in Halls 8a and 8b on the same grounds as MEDICA. A hospital buyer looking for finished instruments will get little from it.
Can SurgiFacts.com arrange meetings with exhibitors?
No. SurgiFacts.com is an independent directory and does not run stands or book appointments. You can look up companies in the company directory before the fair and contact them directly through the details on their profiles.
How do I find suppliers if I cannot travel?
Most fairs publish online exhibitor lists, and many exhibitors are happy to hold a video call after the event. You can also search the SurgiFacts.com directory by country and specialty, or describe what you need through our free manufacturer request form, which passes your request to relevant companies.
Next steps
Pick one or two events that match your products and target markets, confirm the details on the official sites, and book meetings now. Browse the full exhibitions calendar for 2027 dates. If you are a manufacturer or supplier and want buyers to find you before and after the fairs, you can get listed on SurgiFacts.com.