DeviceTalks Boston 2024: Our favorite panels and new additions

Our team picks favorites from our upcoming show, including some new additions to the program.

I enjoy reading bookstore staff recommendations. It’s nice to see how people in the know like to spend their time.

But if you asked me to pick my favorite panels on the agenda for DeviceTalks Boston, taking place May 1–2, 2024 at the Boston Convention & Exhibition Center, I couldn’t do it.

In fact, I won’t do it. Sorry, dear reader, I’ve put too much into this agenda to pick one favorite session. Plus, I owe neutrality to our speakers — amazing professionals willing to give up two days to help me create something. That’s a covenant that I cannot violate by selecting a favorite.

But I can put our editorial team on the spot to pick their favorites. And they’re definitely in the know when it comes to medical devices. Here are the panels they picked:

“Is the U.S. going to see a British Invasion in surgical robotics?” asked Executive Editor Chris Newmarker about his pick, a panel of leaders of U.K.-based CMR Surgical discussing how they’re transforming surgery with Versius, bringing robotic assisted surgery to patients worldwide.

“AI’s potential for disrupting the medical device industry is undeniable,” said DeviceTalks Managing Editor Kayleen Brown, who picked our panel featuring Medtronic and Boston Scientific leaders describing how medtech companies are laying the foundation for AI and future tech.

Senior Editor Danielle Kirsh picked another Medtronic presentation: How Medtronic Structural Heart & Aortic is working to improve access and equity to life-saving technologies. Kirsh picked this panel for its “insights into innovative approaches that could significantly impact patient outcomes and reduce disparities in cardiovascular care and healthcare.”

Managing Editor Jim Hammerand picked our panel on new approaches to solving the sterilization challenge, given the industry’s need to ramp up sterilization methods beyond ethylene oxide (EtO). “With new rules and regulations looming for EtO sterilization, medical device developers are moving to alternatives — and it hasn’t been easy,” he said.

Finally, Associate Editor Sean Whooley said he’s most excited for our panel on where sensors and other new tech will drive the orthopedics industry. “Canary Medical (with Zimmer Biomet) and Stryker are incorporating sensors, AI and more into orthopedic devices,” he said. “This session will offer insights into how those types of technologies could drive the orthopedics industry forward.”

While I won’t pick a favorite panel, here are a few of my favorite things that we’re adding to DeviceTalks Boston program in 2024. 

The Innovation Forum

Last year, we welcomed the MedTech Innovator All-Stars, two dozen top-notch medical device startups that had previously gone through MTI’s accelerator program. With CEO Paul Grand leading the presentations, these medtech entrepreneurs worked to secure the capital they needed to keep their companies moving forward.

This year, we’ll build on that momentum. We’re moving the MedTech Innovator program to our biggest room, which seats hundreds of people and is normally reserved for keynote interviews. The room will be filled with presentations, an investor panel, and a discussion between experienced medtech CEOs.

I’ll have special codes for startups and VCs, so reach out to me via email or LinkedIn.

More networking

Over the previous two years, we’ve watched the networking ecosystem grow around DeviceTalks Boston.

It started with some sponsors holding cocktail receptions. Last year, MedTech Innovator held an off-site social gathering for its alumni.

This year we’re partnering with industry leaders to create unique opportunities to find people more easily.

We’ll host a MedtechWOMEN Talks networking breakfast on May 2. Kayleen Brown has done a fantastic job creating the MedtechWOMEN Talks podcast series, so we’re bringing that partnership to live by inviting industry leaders to get an early start on Day 2.

In addition to that onsite session, we’ll be partnering on another networking session in the neighborhood. On April 30, Medtronic will host an exclusive networking opportunity at the headquarters of its surgical robotics business in Boston’s Seaport District, just a few blocks from the conference.

Look for more details soon on how DeviceTalks Boston attendees can take advantage of this unique opportunity to see more of Medtronic’s Hugo robotic-assisted surgery system. People who have registered will hear about it first, so if you’re interested you should register. Don’t wait. 

Expanded expo floor

One of the most important things I learned since taking this job in 2019 is that good device development requires a solid team. If you’re lucky to have that team in your company, great. But if you need to bring some help in from the outside, you can find the right help at DeviceTalks Boston.

I don’t talk enough about the immense talent you’ll find on our exhibit floor, which will be full of people with the skills and knowledge to find solutions to your most intractable problems.

While meeting experts who are exhibiting, you also might enjoy our new Engineering Forum, where we’ll be inviting technical experts to deliver their latest research.

You can also enjoy live podcast interviews — including MedtechWOMEN Talks — conducted in our new studio.

Wow.

I’m clearly excited about the entire agenda. We’ll be diving deep into surgical robotics, neuro, cardiovascular, sustainability, and of course, R&D and engineering. Our expert sponsors are ready to deliver workshops that can guide you around — or over — the biggest roadblocks.

So can I pick a favorite? Sorry, no. But join us at DeviceTalks Boston and tell us yours.

Previously: They said it at DeviceTalks Boston 2023