KIMES 2026
By Buzzbox Media · Last reviewed August 3, 2026
What is KIMES?
72,000 attendees from 39 countries make this Asia's second-largest medical trade show after CMEF. Strong government hospital procurement presence.
What are the key facts about KIMES?
- Host organization: Korea E&Ex Inc., co-hosted with Korea Medical Devices Cooperative Association and Korea Medical Devices Industry Association
- Primary specialty: cross-specialty
- Scale: mega
- Geography: Asia-Pacific
- International attendance: ~15%
Which device categories fit KIMES?
Which buyer stages does KIMES fit?
What does KIMES charge for booth space?
Cost not published
Korea E&Ex Inc., co-hosted with Korea Medical Devices Cooperative Association and Korea Medical Devices Industry Association does not publish booth pricing for KIMES that we can link to, so we do not list a figure here. We would rather show nothing than an estimate you cannot check. Ask them directly on the KIMES exhibitor page ↗.
Planning the KIMES booth itself? Read our guide to medical conference booth design for booth types, union labor rules, and the corner upgrade.
Who attends KIMES?
Korea's largest medical device exhibition. 1,447 exhibitors from 39 countries across 41,000 sqm. Strong presence of Korean domestic manufacturers plus growing international participation. Attendees include hospital administrators, procurement officers, distributors, and clinicians evaluating new technology.
- Purchasing authority: ~55% of attendees
- Effective buyers: ~39,600
- International attendance: ~15%
Where is KIMES held?
- Venue: COEX Convention & Exhibition Center, Seoul, South Korea
- Management company: Korea E&Ex Inc.
Who else exhibits at KIMES?
Exhibitor data coming soon for KIMES.
Is KIMES worth exhibiting?
Why Exhibit
72,000 attendees from 39 countries make this Asia's second-largest medical trade show after CMEF. Strong government hospital procurement presence.
Why Skip
Dominated by Korean domestic manufacturers (Samsung Medison, Osstem, etc.). International companies without existing Korean distribution relationships or MFDS regulatory approval will find it hard to close deals on the floor.
What should exhibitors know before KIMES?
Korea's medical device import market favors US-origin products: the US is Korea's #1 import source. But Korean buyers expect localized Korean-language materials and competitive pricing. Budget for translation and a Korean-speaking rep.
What is the Buzzbox Score for KIMES?
9.7 / 10 (Exceptional)
9.7 out of 10. One of the strongest exhibiting opportunities in our index. Carried by audience quality (9.7: 55% purchasing authority and 50:1 attendee ratio). The lightest dimension is exhibitor experience (7.7, managed by Korea E&Ex Inc.).
How we score
Six weighted factors, each scored on a 0 to 100 rubric then normalized to a 7.0 to 10.0 band. Every show on this list cleared a relevance bar to be included, so 7.0 is the floor; the number tells you how far the leaders pull ahead. A factor we cannot source is left unscored rather than estimated, and the overall score above was set before any figure behind it was withdrawn.
Standout (9.7): 55% purchasing authority, 50:1 attendee ratio, and mega-scale floor (72,000 attendees).
Not scored on cost: this organizer publishes no booth price we can link to.
Strong (8.4): exhibitor count disclosed, and attendee purchasing-authority data published.
Solid (7.7): managed by Korea E&Ex Inc., non-union venue (simpler, cheaper move-in), and mega-show logistics are well-rehearsed.
Strong (8.9): honest "who should skip" guidance, the flagship / largest show in its niche, and 1,447+ exhibitors (deep competitive intel).
Standout (9.7): mega-scale and stable, 1,447+ exhibitors signals strong demand, and 72,000+ attendees.
When are the KIMES exhibitor deadlines?
| Deadline | Date |
|---|---|
| Show Dates | 2026-03-19 to 2026-03-22 |
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a booth cost at KIMES?
KIMES does not publish booth pricing we can link to, so we do not list a cost for this show. Rather than estimate one, we point you at the organizer's exhibitor page to request current rates directly.
How many people attend KIMES?
KIMES draws approximately 72,000 attendees. Korea's largest medical device exhibition. 1,447 exhibitors from 39 countries across 41,000 sqm. Strong presence of Korean domestic manufacturers plus growing international participation. Attendees include hospital administrators, procurement officers, distributors, and clinicians evaluating new technology.
When and where is KIMES 2026?
KIMES 2026 takes place March 19-22, 2026. The venue is COEX Convention & Exhibition Center, Seoul, South Korea. Korea E&Ex Inc., co-hosted with Korea Medical Devices Cooperative Association and Korea Medical Devices Industry Association hosts the meeting.
How many KIMES attendees have purchasing authority?
About 55% of KIMES attendees hold purchasing authority, which works out to roughly 39,600 effective buyers out of approximately 72,000 attendees. Effective buyers multiplies total attendance by the share of attendees who hold purchasing authority. Both inputs are estimates drawn from organizer reporting and our own exhibitor research, so read the figure as directional rather than exact.
How does Buzzbox Media score KIMES?
KIMES carries a Buzzbox Score of 9.7 out of 10 (Exceptional), with one caveat on this record: cost efficiency is not scored, because Korea E&Ex Inc., co-hosted with Korea Medical Devices Cooperative Association and Korea Medical Devices Industry Association publishes no booth price we can link to, and the overall score was set before that figure was withdrawn. The factors still scored are audience quality, data transparency, exhibitor experience, editorial value, and growth trajectory. Each factor is scored on a 0 to 100 rubric then normalized to a 7.0 to 10.0 band, and every conference in our index cleared a relevance bar to be listed, so 7.0 is the floor. On this record the highest is audience quality at 9.7 and the lowest is exhibitor experience at 7.7.