Our First Time at RAPS

Our First Time at RAPS

As a first-time exhibitor at a RAPS conference, we weren’t entirely sure what to expect. We attended as part of the MDR Competence Group, a collective of companies specialising in all things MDR, from consultancy through to laboratory testing. While we weren’t in charge of organising the stand (thankfully!), the group had it all in hand, making our arrival and setup smooth sailing.

Firsts All Around

This event was full of firsts:

• First time at RAPS
• First time in Brussels
• First time on the Eurostar (verdict: very convenient)

Travel was simple – a train from London and a short taxi to the venue. Brussels proved to be a lovely host city, although a pricey one when it comes to accommodation near the venue. Word to the wise: book early and have a generous travel budget if you want to stay in the city centre!

Is It Worth the Cost?

We’ll be honest, the delegate ticket price isn’t small change. But once there, the value becomes clear. The event kicks off at 07:30 and runs solidly for four full days. The schedule was packed with expert content, strong speaker line-ups, and plenty of opportunities to connect with others in the regulatory world during the breaks. There’s truly a relevant talk for everyone.

The exhibition hall was open for two of the four days, and while it wasn’t directly connected to the talk halls (a small downside for exhibitors), the space was still lively – particularly during breakout sessions. Some exhibitors who had attended events in the past mentioned that in previous years, when the talks and exhibition spaces were closer together, footfall was even higher.

Who’s Who in the Hall

We were surprised (pleasantly!) to see so many US-based companies exhibiting, despite this being the European edition of the event. From regulatory consultants to digital tools for document control and MDR updates and of course lots of AI options, the exhibitor mix was diverse. There were even a few fellow labs offering testing services for medical devices and IVDs.

Chocolate, Cathedrals & Conversations

One of the highlights was spending the evening with the team from KIWA, a Notified Body we’d recently hosted at our lab. They were just around the corner from the event venue, and it was brilliant to catch up and hear about their experiences from the other side of the regulatory fence.

Afterward, I explored Brussels’ city centre, admired the cathedral, and, of course, visited a couple of chocolate shops. When in Belgium…

Day Two: Lots still to come

Day two at many conferences can feel like the air’s gone out of the balloon. Not here. Thanks to a packed schedule and ongoing delegate engagement, attendance stayed high and the foot traffic remained steady, which we were very impressed with.

And if you’re wondering about the catering? Let’s just say: best we’ve ever seen. High-quality food and drink were available all day for both exhibitors and delegates and for those of us who don’t drink tea or coffee (yes, we exist), there were soft drink options and plenty of water, thoughtful and appreciated.

Hot Topics: MDR & FDA

Unsurprisingly, MDR transition dominated the conversation. But it was equally interesting to hear how many manufacturers are now prioritising FDA submissions first, especially for new products. The reasoning? The FDA tends to offer more specific feedback than European Notified Bodies – something we’ve also heard at other industry events.

All in all, RAPS EU Convergence was a great event, and we’re seriously considering Lisbon next year. Between the great conversations, solid organisation, and top-tier catering, it’s an event we’d gladly return to.