Porsche Boxster Event in Gran Canaria

“Breaking Free” – was the motto of the international dealer event of Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche AG in Gran Canaria. Breaking Free stands for independence – a feeling and a concept: to be one’s own man. To go one’s own way. To live one’s own life.

This motto also stands for the new Porsche Boxster Roadster and for an emotional and informative event realised by the Wuppertal event specialist VOK DAMS.

After successfully cooperating with MINDACT (Reveal), Agentur für Markenträume (building work) and S&T Wirth (driving activities) in South Africa, VOK DAMS and its partner agencies implemented another extraordinary and sustainable event for ca. 1,800 international dealers.

In six consecutive waves, 300 guests each time experienced first hand the brand of Porsche, the Porsche Boxster Roadster and the spectacular beauty of the Spanish Atlantic island of Gran Canaria.

The highlight of the first evening was the multimedia presentation of the Porsche Boxster.

The second day was totally dedicated to the new vehicle.

A three-hour road tour along a varied and especially dynamic route from the coast to the interior of the island made the hearts of the Porsche enthusiasts beat faster.

Breaking Free in the truest sense of the word.

The Molina del Agua as the location for lunch and the Circuito Maspalomas were two further highlights along the route. Motorsports aficionados around the world know and love the racing circuit Circuito Maspalomas. The 4400-meter long racetrack runs directly along the Atlantic Coast.

The workshops were also integrated into the day’s programme in terms of location. They were held at the hotel, in a tent and at the Boxster Drive in Cinema next to the racetrack.

For the Porsche dealers, the emotional finale of the evening was a sneak preview and a captivating presentation of the Porsche Design Driver’s Selection under the motto “Speed of sports”. In the course of the action-packed show, parcours artists, models and dancers merged into the “Spirit of Porsche”.

As the lead agency, the agency for events and live-marketing VOK DAMS was responsible for the overall organisation, for the event execution at the extraordinary locations as well as the workshops and the programme on the second evening.

With VOK DAMS City Guide to Beijing auto show 2012

Just in time for the start of the Beijing auto show the specialists for hybrid events

VOK DAMS updated the successful city guide Beijing app.

In addition to the most important information regarding the motor show, which starts at the 23^rd April with the press days and ends at the 2^nd May, general information about China, Beijing and of course the hotspots of the Chinese capital build the content of the app. 

What are the most interesting and best restaurants? What hotels are recommended? Where can I find real insider-tips for shopping, nightlife or attractions in Beijing? The guide answers these and more questions.

For users the most popular button is the “show taxi” function.  It displays all addresses in Chinese.

It is already the 10^th   VOK DAMS city guide of the Wuppertal-based agency for events and live marketing. All guides are available as App for iPhone, iPad or iPod Touch and can be downloaded free of charge from the App Store.   http://itunes.apple.com/tw/app/beijing-guide/id367321734?mt=8

Wind energy congress, open to all

The EWEA will hold its annual congress in Copenhagen next week. More than 10,000 delegates will visit the city, but the locals and tourists in the Danish capital will also get a chance to learn more about sustainable energy at the MINDBLOWING COPENHAGEN festival.

In April the First European Conference on Natural Spas and Wellness is commencing

At Thermana Laško ENSPA, the first European Conference on Natural Spas and Wellness is starting on 18th April 2012. During two days numerous domestic and foreign experts will try to clear differences and find common points between medical treatments and wellness tourism. At the same time they are also going to touch upon marketing and trends in the field of medical spas and wellness services.

Nowadays people are becoming increasingly aware of the meaning of physical and psychological health and are looking for solutions for regeneration. European Natural Spas are thus not used only for recovering from an illness but rather they are becoming temples of feeling good and for prevention. Natural spas can offer more to users as thermal water and other natural therapeutic factors have been helping in healing diseases for centuries.

Conference ENSPA wants to follow new trends and through two day expert programme transfer the knowledge, good practice case studies and new ideas amidst experts and employees from Natural Spas. Numerous domestic and foreign lecturers will try to clear differences and find connections between medical treatments and wellness tourism. During the two days the delegates will be able to listen to numerous expert lectures and discussions on rehabilitation of patients (neurological, orthopaedic, traumatology, rheumatic illnesses, cardiological, gynaecological, sports rehabilitation) as well as on balneology, diet, spa standards, insurance requirements and other.

Prof. dr. Zmago Turk from Institute of Balneology and Medicinal Climatology and Prof. Dr. Janez Kraševec, doyen of Slovene Balneology, will present in the introductory lecture historical development of balneology and explain basic balneologist terms about thermal water, peloids and other natural factors in Slovene Natural Spas and the view on role of spas in the future. Trends and innovations in medicinal wellness will be presented by Dr. Claus-Arwed Lauprecht, Founder of Institut for Wellness in Bad Homburg in Germany and the President of ISWA (International SPA & Wellness Association e.V.). What is medical tourism and how is it connected to wellness tourism will explain Melanie Smith, Professor and researcher in Tourism at Business School in Budapest and President of ATLAS (Association for Tourism and Leisure Education). View on role of Spas in Holistic treatment of patients will be presented by the Director of University Rehabilitation Institute Prof. Dr. Helena Burger. Dr. Vlasta Brozičević, Head of Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine at Terme Selce and Biodex Isocinetic Centre for Croatia and official doctor of the Croatian Ski Team and official doctor of Medical Committee FIS will talk on rehabilitation of sportsmen and women at Spas.

Plenary Sessions will be complemented by presentations from numerous domestic experts from Slovenian Natural Spas and Institutions, the conference will be closed with a topic debate about challenges posed to Spa Tourism because of economic conditions. What do the announced measures by Ministry of Health on reduction of rights from Medical Insurance mean? How to respond on these announcements and how to reduce negative effects? Discussion on weather Rehabilitation at Spas is luxury will present an opportunity to all involved to present their views to competent offices and thus actively contribute to solving the current situation.

In the realm of the ENSPA Conference those who have put their mark in the development of Natural Spas and Wellness will be awarded. At the evening reception the Association of Natural Spas of Slovenia will give out an award for life work to one of the biggest experts in the field of balneology.

Between 18th and 20th April 2012 Conference ENSPA will host the biggest experts in the field of Natural Spas and Wellness. Applications to the Conference can be made through the website www.en-spa.eu. Number of available seats is limited!

More information about the programme of the conference and applications at www.en-spa.eu or via e-mail info@en-spa.eu.

Floriade 2012: history, culture and unique event possibilities

Considering the Floriade is being held once every ten years, now is your chance to organize your next event in this unique setting. Each year the Floriade has a different theme. This year the theme is ‘Be part of the theater in nature, get closer to the quality of life’. Combine your meeting or congress with a visit to the park and the cultural events that will take place daily.

The history of the Floriade goes back 52 years. The coming edition will be the sixth one. Previous editions were held in 1960 in Rotterdam, in 1972 and 1982 in Amsterdam, in 1992 in Zoetermeer and in 2002 in Haarlemmermeer. After ten years this spectacular theatre of nature will be held in a stunning park in Venlo.

What to expect?
The Floriade 2012 opens daily between 5 April and 7 October 2012. The massive park consists of 66 hectares and 5 unique themed worlds: Relax & Heal, Green Engine, Education & Innovation, Environment and World Show Stage. Each world has its own decor, program and activities, enabling you to experience nature in five totally different ways. Not to be missed is definitely the Villa Flora, the biggest indoor flower exhibition in Europe. The Floriade also offers you a daily cultural program, featuring music, dance, theatre and graphic art. Pièce the resistance, according to the organizers, is The Floriade Harvest Show. “An awe-inspiring spectacle of acrobatics and world music performed every day by artists from all over the world.” Enjoy delicious meals in one of the five restaurants and lots of food stalls and don’t miss the biggest cable car ride in the Netherlands with a capacity of 4000 people per hour! There is so much to do that the average length of stay is 7 hours.

Unique location for meetings and events
Looking for a unique spot for your meeting, conference of event? The Floriade Park offers you various meeting- and conference locations in the midst of nature’s most beautiful elements. Get-togethers can be combined with a visit to the Floriadepark.

In the vicinity of Venlo there are many hotels we can arrange for you. For those who want to combine a visit to the Floriade with a stay in Amsterdam, we offer many possibilities. The Floriade park in Venlo is 2.5 hours by bus from Amsterdam/Schiphol. For groups we can arrange bustransfers and provide the group with lunchboxes.

For groups planning a visit to the Floriade, we have arranged two special offers:
Special offer: 2-day tour for groups
Special offer: day tour for groups

20th International Student Scientific Conference for Students and Young Doctors, 19-21 April 2011, Gdansk, Poland

The 20th International Student Scientific Conference (ISSC) for Students and Young Doctors will be held on April 19th-21st 2012 in Gdansk at Medical University of Gdansk, Poland.

The ISSC is an annual scientific meeting at the Medical University of Gdansk which brings together young researchers from around the world, specializing in various medical disciplines. During three days the ISSC offers up to 10 independent sessions, lectures by invited speakers, workshops and discussion groups. Also, every paper presented will be evaluated by a jury and authors of the best will be awarded.

Over the last 19 years, ISSC has attracted a large number of participants from Poland and abroad. It provides a great opportunity to present your research and attend lectures delivered by renowned scientists.

To get more information visit the conference website: http://www.issc.gumed.edu.pl

Systems Biology Conference to Bring Global Experts to Melbourne in 2014

Minister for Tourism and Major Events, Louise Asher, today announced that another significant scientific conference has been won for Melbourne, further establishing the city as the intellectual and business events capital of Australia.

The International Conference on Systems Biology 2014 will bring 750 of the world’s leading experts in the field to Melbourne over five days, and is expected to generate $3.6 million in economic impact for the state of Victoria.

“Systems biology is an emerging area in Australia which has been recognised by the Victorian government as an area of focus,” Ms Asher said.

Systems biology is the multidisciplinary science of studying, mapping and modelling organic structures and processes. Instead of breaking cells, organs, genomes or whole organisms into their component parts, systems biology studies them as a whole.

“Hosting this conference will give Victorian researchers international exposure and offer opportunities for engagement and collaboration with research leaders and centres of excellence overseas.” 

“The Victorian Coalition Government provides support, leadership, and investment assistance to drive the development of a dynamic, internationally competitive life sciences sector and recently released Victoria’s Technology Plan for the Future – Biotechnology, a $55 million plan to support the Victorian biotechnology industry and biotechnology-enabled innovation.

“I would also like to acknowledge the vital role played by the Melbourne Convention + Visitors Bureau (MCVB) in bringing this conference to Melbourne, the first time it has been held in the Southern Hemisphere, and the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre (MCEC) for hosting the event.”

Chief Executive Officer of MCVB, Karen Bolinger, said securing the bid is a major coup for Victoria’s systems biology community.

“MCVB partnered with a number of key groups for the bid process including the European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL) Australia, the Australian Regenerative Medicine Institute, the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) and Bioplatforms Australia,” Ms Bolinger said.

“The International Conference on Systems Biology is the premier international conference for this scientific discipline and hosting the event in Melbourne will give the state a significant boost in publicity and standing in this field, offering local researchers the opportunity to showcase their research on a global stage.”

Professor Hiroaki Kitano, Director of the Systems Biology Institute in Tokyo and Executive Board Member of the International Society for Systems Biology, said he looks forward to bringing the conference to the Asia-Pacific region and is interested in the work that is being done in Melbourne.

“Systems biology is a multidisciplinary science that tackles the big questions.  It can’t be done by just one person or one laboratory—it needs bioscientists of many specialties to collect the data and bioinformaticians to mine the data for answers,” Professor Kitano said.

“Holding the conference in Australia will help drive further collaboration between Australian laboratories and researchers in Asia, Europe and America.”

Peter King, Chief Executive of the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre says they look forward to welcoming the conference delegates in two years’ time.

“2014 is shaping up to be quite a year for science and medical business events in Melbourne with the International Conference on Systems Biology, The World Congress of Cardiology, the World Cancer Congress and the International AIDS Conference all scheduled to take place at the MCEC during that year.”

European Golden Oldies Festival 2013 Awarded to Prague

At the beginning of February 2012, a Delegation from the European Golden Oldies Rugby (EGOR) Executive Committee visited Prague in order to discuss the possibilities of Prague becoming the Host City for the 12th European Golden Oldies Festival in 2013, to coincide with the 25^thAnniversary Celebrations of Host Club - Old Boys Prague.

The Delegation consisted of – President Dave McDonald from Scotland, coming with his wife Katie, Member of Executive Committee Werner Czerny from Germany and Secretary Matthias Schenker from Switzerland.   All had a very tough programme containing a number of discussions not only with the Local Organising Committee Members, but also with the Local Authorities, including Mayor´s Office Officials, the Prague Convention Bureau, Hotels and the Czech Rugby President.   Based on these discussions and evaluating other alternatives, the EGOR Committee finally decided thatPrague will host the 12th European Golden Oldies Rugby Festival  in 2013.

“As President of European Golden Oldies Rugby, I am delighted to formally announce that the Venue for our 12^thEuropean Festival has been selected…….and the winning Host shall be Old Boys Praha, in the lovely City of Prague !   We were very impressed with the City arrangements, Hotels and possible Festival H Q and the accessibility for Teams from all over Europe to participate.  The Local Organising Committee have a great deal of work now ahead of them…..but are all very experienced in Golden Oldies Rugby , organising annual Oldies Events.  On behalf of European Golden Oldies Rugby, I wish Old Boys Praha and all their Sponsors and Supporters every Best Wish…….I’m looking forward to seeing you again next year,” claimed Dave McDonald.

It will be for the first time that the European Festival will be staged in Central Europe, and the 12th EGOR Festival will take place on June 13-17, 2013.

Further details and information may be found at the Official Festival website http://oldboys.rugby.cz/en/egorf-2013 or from the official Festival Headquarter´s  e-mail: egorf2013@estec.cz.

EASL selects Congrex as key partner to the most important conference in Hepatology

After an intense bidding process which began in March 2011, the Governing Board of the European Association for the Study of the Liver (EASL) announced their decision to appoint Congrex Switzerland as its official Professional Conference Organiser as of 2014.

“We strongly believe in Congrex’s capacity to deliver an outstanding service,” commented Prof. Mark Thursz, Secretary General of EASL, “and also in their personal approach and dedication to create a strong partnership”. With more than 8,000 clinicians, scientists and other delegates, the International Liver CongressTM is the most important conference in the field of Hepatology in Europe.

For Congrex, the partnership with EASL is a strong indication of its commitment to strategically support associations. Congrex brings to the table ‘more-than-30-years’ experience and in-depth knowledge of organising major medical conferences which sets it apart as a key strategic partner.

“We are extremely pleased to have the opportunity to manage the ILC 2014″, announced Congrex Switzerland’s Regional Managing Director Alain Pittet. “We look forward to delivering on our promises, to EASL, to be an imaginative and caring association partner that understands the longer term strategic visions of EASL now and into the future.”

VOK DAMS and E-Plus score on the field together

The event specialists of VOK DAMS – one of the leading agencies for Events and Live-Marketing – set up for the E-Plus Partnershop Congress 2012 the 1.FC BASE.

The E-Plus Partnershop Congress was held for the seventh consecutive time. Approximately 500 E-Plus Partnershop owners of the BASE brand travelled from the entire Germany to this one-day event in the VELTINS-Arena in Gelsenkirchen.

The E-Plus Group 2010/2011 played in “the first league of the mobile market”, after having one of the most successful business years thanks to the BASE brand. This year’s Partnershop Congress aimed at communicating the main objective of the Partnershop owners: with their top performance they have managed to win over not only clients but also real fans.

In this analogy to football, the Partnershop owners grouped as a team of the 1. FC BASE and the E-Plus Management to Club-Management, so they could support their team as best as possible, in accordance with the corporate strategy with innovative tariffs and progressive, future strategies. The motto developed for the event “You’ll never walk alone” underlined this idea and permeated all aspects of the event as the main theme.

 Approximately 500 E-Plus Partnershop owners were invited to the team of the 1. FC BASE in advance, through a specially developed online tool. They were requested to register online for the event, to follow the event’s news items and generate relevant themes. The result of this interactive subscriber management tool was a high level of involvement and identification with the 1. FC BASE prior to the event. In addition to the registration, this tool offered the participants the possibility to list themselves and qualify for the “player of the day” title. The participants played a quiz in three online qualification phases with the topics of BASE, mobile market and football in order to enter the semi-finals and finals on the day of the event. The four finalists played then on site for the prize of tickets for the 2012 European championship in Poland and Ukraine.

 But – like in football – one thing especially counts at the end: What happens on the field! The “debut game of the 1. FC BASE” took place in the VELTINS Arena in Gelsenkirchen

As befits an organization with international stature, the participants expected during the event everything their football-heart desired. Upon arrival at the “Fan-BASE”, similar to a club’s museum, the E-Plus Partnershop owners discovered the history and the great moments of the 1. FC BASE. Football, team spirit and passion were there – felt and touched. Uniformly integrated in space, the guests experienced the stands of the E-Plus hardware partners. The theme “football fans” functioned as the unifying element. Additional football activities enriched the exhibition and cleverly facilitated the stimulation of conversation: A Wii – soccer station and the XXL – soccer or football on Playstation were only some elements of the “Fan-BASE”.

 Afterwards the participants arrived in the VIP cabin, in which – in front of the impressive scene of the arena – the formulated in advance themes of the participants were discussed. The guests as well, got to hear a speech of Hermann Scherer on the topic “opportunity intelligence”. The executives of E-Plus agreed with the partners further for 2012. Lou Richter and Mirja Boes led the event. Films livened up the event with the “You’ll never walk alone” message playing continuously: Spontaneous fan-interviews and statements with clients, impressive games, emotional fan moments, legendary goals and situations.

After the official part, a surprise awaited the guests in the Players’ Lounge – the former Fan-BASE: With light-effects and transformed decoration, the familiar space appeared totally different, like a modern Players’ Lounge. Oblique lights and an illuminated bar brought forth other features than before in the exhibition. The highlight of the evening was the appearance of the Atzen sponsored by MTV mobile.

 Altogether, VOK DAMS created for the E-Plus Partnershop Congress a consistent football world where passion and emotion played an essential role. The feeling of the event was experienced even before its beginning and remained beyond the event in the follow-up communication later on. The strict application of the “You’ll never walk alone” theme intensified the “we” feeling and stimulated involvement and integration from the participants.

Entrepreneur Week Greece

February 23, 2012 at 2:00 PM – February 25, 2012 at 4:00 PM

Entrepreneur Week Greece is organized in Athens by the Hellenic Start-up Association and the Entrepreneur Week, with the active support of YES – European Confederation of Young Entrepreneurs.

The 3-days events includes start-up presentation to angel investors and VC funds, B2B match-making event between Greek entrepreneurs and missions from US, Russia and other countrier as well as a top-level conference addressing both horizontal and sectorial issues for effectively promoting entrepreneurship in Greece

Abu Dhabi set to host its biggest convention yet

Abu Dhabi is readying to host the biggest convention yet seen by the city, with over 10,000 delegates attending theWorld Ophthalmology Congress® 2012 (WOC2012).

The prevention and treatment of diabetes-related blindness and cataracts will be key topics at WOC2012, being held at Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC), February 16-20.

Palais des congrès getting ready to host World Cancer Congress

Will generate over $5 million for the economy with 3,000 delegates from 120 countries attending

Unesco chooses Florence for “Icomos 2014″

5th Annual Loyalty Expo: Orlando, March 18-20

3-Day Conference Brings Together Marketing Leaders to Explore How Today’s Most Innovative Brands are Creating Truly Customer-Centric Organizations

“Loyalty marketing today has less to do with providing customers with cost savings and cheap offers, but everything to do with building long-term relationships with them” says Mark Johnson, CEO of Loyalty 360. “Loyalty Expo is dedicated to arming attendees with actionable tools and insights to create multi-channel loyalty strategies that impact the bottom line.”

During 3 jam-packed days of networking, keynotes and interactive sessions led by many of today’s great minds in marketing, attendees of the 5th Annual Loyalty Expo will learn how to:

•     Engage the hearts and minds of today’s customers
•     Optimize loyalty programs to drive sustainable business results
•     Align marketing strategy and customer experience
•     Leverage influential customers and social media feedback

Loyalty Expo 2012 will be held March 18-20 at the Rosen Shingle Creek Hotel in Orlando, FL. Early Bird registration rates are available through January 20, 2012.

Loyalty Expo has earned the reputation a being one of the industry’s premiere events. “The thing that pops out to me is the consistent quality of all of the speakers; we’re hitting a singular topic, we’re hitting it hard, we’re hitting is deep, and we’re hitting it with people all over the country and all over the world that care passionately about the topic,” says Trevor Knott of Citizens Bank. Adds Kathy Turley of Palm Restaurant Group, “I really enjoyed how true practitioners were the speakers, not vendors that ultimately try to sell their products or services. Great conference.”

Sessions recently announced for Loyalty Expo 2012 include: 

•     Loyalty Program Optimization: Presented by PricewaterhouseCoopers

•     Engaging Customers through Relevant Channels: Presented by Sears Holdings

•     Beyond the Demographic Group: Using Technology to Build Smarter Customer Segmentation that Leads to Better Retention and Returns: Presented by Buxton Analytics, The Body Shop, and Crate and Barrel

•     Do You Really Need a Loyalty Program: Presented by Golfsmith

•     Transforming the Customer Service Experience with Behavioral Analytics: Presented by Mattersight & Vangent

•     The Spillover Effect – Driving Customer Loyalty through Employee Engagement: Presented by Nicor National and Dr. Gary Rhoads, Professor of Marketing at Brigham Young University

•     Philosophy on Loyalty: Essential at the Confluence of Mobile, Hyperlocal and Daily Deals: Presented by Valpak and Pluris Marketing

ENTER2012 – eTourism Present and Future Services and Applications

Helsingborg Sweden 24th to 27th of January 2012.

World Diabetes Congress breaks records in Dubai

DUBAI, U.A.E., December 2011: The recent World Diabetes Congress held in Dubai has recorded its highest attendance in history. Organized by the International Diabetes Federation (IDF) together with Congress Solutions International (CSI) as their local PCO, the Congress which ran from 4 – 8 December at Dubai World Trade Centre, was the largest congress held in Dubai to date, attracting over 15,000 delegates and 300 journalists from over 100 countries around the world, an increase of 25 per cent from the last congress in Montreal.

The mega-congress which was opened by Sheikh Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai and President of the Dubai Healthy Authority, also witnessed record exhibition and sponsorship sales and a leading scientific programme.
The International Diabetes Federation (IDF) organized the event and mandated Congress Solutions International (CSI) as their local PCO, who managed important local logistics items such as housing, social programmes and local MENA exhibition and sponsorship sales as well as production of marketing materials.
“The overwhelming success of the World Diabetes Congress in an ample showcase to the world that Dubai and CSI is ready to take on congresses of any size and irrespective of industry sector, and as a result Dubai has been recognized as one of the world’s leading association meeting destinations. With this stellar example and working with Dubai World Trade Centre and Dubai Convention Bureau, we will continue to submit bids to leading global associations that have not yet ventured into the region”, commented Alexandre Lolliot, Manager of Congress Solutions International.

The UAE has the second highest prevalence of diabetes globally, with one in five people now living with the disease. Holding the World Diabetes Congress in Dubai provided the perfect opportunity to add a strong political dimension and increase representation of government and civil society from the region, while in a city that has the state of the art infrastructure and facilities to support an event of this scale.
“We have been impressed with the way that Dubai as a destination has responded to our needs and exceeded our expectations in terms of infrastructure and services,” said Luc Hendrickx, Director of Congresses and Governance for IDF. “The World Diabetes Congress in Dubai has been a huge success. The scientific and medical interests of the congress and media exposure have reinforced awareness and understanding of the burden of diabetes in the region. There is every indication that diabetes prevention and care are very much at the centre of the government agenda. The International Diabetes Federation is confident that the congress will leave a lasting legacy and the UAE will join the rest of the world in implementing and monitoring of evidence-based policy and planning emerging from the United Nations Summit on Non-Communicable Diseases..”

Eight Major Congresses Have Been Won for Melbourne

 New Business Events Generate $23.5 Million for Victoria

Minister for Tourism and Major Events Louise Asher today announced that eight major congresses have been won for Melbourne, worth an estimated $23.5 million to the Victorian economy.

The one national and seven international business events are expected to attract approximately 7,150 delegates from across the globe over five years and include:

• International Conference on Care and Housing for the Ageing (IAHSA) 2013;
• IEEE International Conference on Power Electronics (ICPE) – ECCE ASIA 2013;
• Inaugural Broadband World Congress 2013;
• The MHS 2013 (The Mental Health Services Conference);
• International Symposium on Information Theory and its Applications – ISITA 2014;
• International Congress on Noise Control Engineering (INTERNOISE) 2014;
• Congress of the Asia-Pacific Federation of Coloproctology 2015; and
• AFMC International Medicinal Chemistry Symposium (AIMECS) 2017.

Ms Asher said the wins followed the recent announcement that Melbourne will host the prestigious International AIDS Conference in 2014, the largest medical conference ever to be held in Australia.

“These events highlight that major national and international businesses and associations continue to choose Melbourne for their events, bringing new visitors to the state with each meeting and presenting us with an invaluable opportunity to showcase the city and regional Victoria,” Ms Asher said.

“They also provide an opportunity for experts from around the world to come together to share their research and to network in an Australian setting. The events also draw international recognition of the research and findings of the many Australians, and in particular Victorians, working in a variety of fields.

“Victoria has so many areas of speciality – from science and technology to health and medicine – which is why the state continues to attract such a high calibre of events.

“I congratulate the Melbourne Convention + Visitors Bureau for securing these business events for Victoria and for all their hard work throughout 2011.”

Ms Karen Bolinger, Chief Executive Officer of the Melbourne Convention + Visitors Bureau

(MCVB) said the wins were an outstanding way to end the year.

“All of these wins relate directly to the excellent standard of Melbourne’s conferencing facilities and also demonstrate the appeal of our city to major associations,” Ms Bolinger said.

“Melbourne has developed a reputation as a world-class business events destination as a result of the city’s accessibility and state-of-the-art infrastructure, in particular the award-winning Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre where these events are scheduled to be held.

“I would like to thank the Victorian Coalition Government and our industry partners for their assistance and support in winning these events, and of course throughout the entire year.”

Acting Chief Executive of the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre Leighton Wood said they look forward to welcoming the delegates for each of these conferences to the Centre over the next five years.

UKSG signs contract with HIC for 2014 and 2017 conferences

UKSG has confirmed it will host its annual conference and exhibition at Harrogate International Centre (HIC) in 2014 and 2017 following the success of the event at the venue in 2011. Revenues from the two shows are likely to be in excess of £130,000.

The organisation held its 34th annual conference and exhibition at HIC for the first time earlier this year and as the result of positive feedback from the 850 delegates it has decided to come back for a further two years. UKSG spans a wide range of interests and activities across the scholarly information community of librarians, publishers, intermediaries and technology vendors. During the three day event, UKSG utilised the 2,000 seat auditorium for its plenary sessions, Hall Q for its exhibition stands and the Royal Hall for social events.

Alison Whitehorn at UKSG comments: “Harrogate was the ideal place for UKSG to host its annual conference. Our delegates fell in love with it straight away. Often events have to bend around the venue’s facilities. But HIC offers flexible spaces and it was well equipped to meet our requirements for meetings and breakout areas as well as catering for sessions arranged at short notice. The team at HIC were able to facilitate all our requests which helped with the smooth running of the event. The conference was a great success and we’re pleased to be coming back for future events.”

Alison Griffin, head of sales and marketing at HIC, says: “UKSG’s decision to bring their annual conference back to HIC in 2014 and 2017 is recognition of the hard work of the entire team in making events a success. It’s also good news for the whole area as conferences like UKSG, with a large delegate attendance, have a significant economic impact on Harrogate, providing revenues for businesses of all sizes. We’re delighted with the positive feedback not just about the facilities but the location too, and we look forward to welcoming UKSG back in 2014 and 2017.”

More than 3,000 participants for EUROECHO 2011

EUROECHO and other Imaging Modalities, the annual meeting of the European Association of Echocardiography (EAE), a registered branch of the European Society of Cardiology (ESC), was held in our fascinating capital, Budapest from 7-10 December 2011.

Prepare to take Alzheimer’s research to the next level

At AAIC 2012, join the world’s leading dementia scientists to share the latest thoughts and theories in the field — and spark new ideas along the way. Listen as experts examine current studies and discuss promising developments. Share your work, advance emerging models and shape new ideas.

Important dates

• Nov. 1 – Jan. 30
  Abstract submission
• Early 2012
  Registration opens
• July 14-19, 2012
  AAIC

Hand Surgeons to host conference in Kuching, and pledge RM15,000 to local community

 DECEMBER 2011 – KUCHING, MALAYSIA – The Malaysian Society for Surgery of the Hand (MSSH) will be organising the 10th Congress of the Asian Pacific Federation of Societies for Surgery of the Hand (APFSSH) Conference 2014 at the Borneo Convention Centre Kuching (BCCK) in Sarawak, Malaysia in October 2014 for 3 ½ days with an expected turnout of over 1000 participants from Asia Pacific region and around the world. 

Held every two years, the conference speakers are prominent hand surgeons, respectable professors and experienced hand therapists from international and regional countries. 1000 delegates come together to share their expertise, experiences, and exchange views on the latest issues in this specialized medical field.

Proudly playing host to the 2014 conference is the city of Kuching. The historic state capital of Sarawak promises to delight and pamper participants with its many local gastronomic delicacies and natural treasures. Amongst the highlights of the trip include a leisurely stroll along the Waterfront Park at sunset, a tour of the city’s historic buildings dating back to the days of the ‘White Rajahs’, and a Chinese temple from the mid-1800s.

In conjunction with this event, Malaysian Society for Surgery of the Hand (MSSH) will contribute to the local society through purchasing handmade conference bags from the Annah Rais long house instead of importing the common nylon bag. With the assistance and support of Sarawak Convention Bureau (SCB) and Borneo Adventure (BA), this initiative will also provide an income to the local community while encouraging them to maintain this soon to be forgotten unique craft. The association believes that conference delegates will definitely love the bags as it is a wonderful souvenir from Sarawak, Malaysia Borneo.

“We hope that through this initiative, we will increase public awareness of the unique culture in the Long House that represents the colours of Sarawak,” said the President of MSSH, Associate Professor Dr Sharifah Roohi. “We want to protect the interest of the Long House community as they are the guardians of the tropical rainforest that maintains the ecosystem of various endangered wildlife such as the Orang Utan and the Hornbill,” she adds.

Mrs. Jill Henry, CEO of SCB comments, “This is definitely a great way to give back to the local community as well as develop a very saleable CSR programme for Sarawak that many local communities can benefit from in future. ”

All in all, the conference will be a retreat to remember, with participants taking home the latest hand surgery and hand therapy management techniques to be applied in their respective clinical practice – not to mention a memorable holiday break.

For more information on the 10th Congress of the APFSSH Conference 2014, please visit http://www.apfssh2014.org

Melbourne to Host Largest Medical Event in Australia’s History

Minister for Tourism and Major Events Louise Asher today announced that Melbourne has secured the right to host the prestigious International AIDS Conference in 2014, the largest medical conference ever to be held in Australia.

Ms Asher said the International AIDS Conference was one of the most significant and esteemed conferences in the world, and was a major victory for Melbourne.
“This six-day event, which will be held at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre in July 2014, will generate $80 million for the Victorian economy and is expected to attract more than 14,000 of the world’s leading scientists, health care providers and political, community and business leaders,” Ms Asher said.

“Winning this conference for Melbourne is testament to Australia’s deserved reputation as an international leader in HIV/AIDS research and clinical care. Melbourne leads the nation in innovation, research and medical facilities, and it is fitting this major congress will be held here.
“Victoria is home to 139 biotech companies, as well as some of the world’s leading medical research centres, including the Burnet Institute, Monash University and the Alfred Hospital.
“The Burnet Institute has particular expertise in infectious diseases, especially in HIV and hepatitis viruses. The institute’s researchers have developed a low-cost, high-throughput laboratory test for measuring CD4T-cells (the host cells which aid HIV in replication) in the management of HIV/AIDS, which is an outstanding, world-first innovation.
“Holding a conference of this calibre in Melbourne will further assist medical researchers to deliver groundbreaking technologies in the fight against AIDS, with the aim to ultimately find a cure and an effective vaccine.
“The Victorian Coalition Government is extremely pleased to have assisted in securing this event for the state and I congratulate the Melbourne Convention + Visitors Bureau on this victory.”

Lord Mayor Robert Doyle said City of Melbourne was proud to partner with the Coalition Government to secure this prestigious event.
“Melbourne is a world leader in medical research. We look forward to welcoming the most brilliant medical thinkers in HIV/AIDS research and showing them our wonderful city,” Mr Doyle said.
Chief Executive Officer of the Melbourne Convention + Visitors Bureau (MCVB) Karen Bolinger said the win added to a string of prestigious health-related events recently secured for Victoria.
“The win follows the announcement of other major medical events we have won for Melbourne for 2014 including the 23rd World Cancer Congress and the World Congress of Cardiology,” Ms Bolinger said.
“MCVB worked closely with the Australian Hotels Association to commit 12,000 rooms; the Department of Transport to assist with tailored public transport options; and the Agent General of Victoria to secure the bid for Melbourne.
“This collaborative approach was key to our success and on which the MCVB prides itself. I would like to thank these organisations, as well as the Victorian Coalition Government, the City of Melbourne and AusAID for their fantastic support.”
The International AIDS Conference is organised by the International AIDS Society (IAS) in partnership with selected government, scientific and community partners from Australia and the wider Asia-Pacific region, as well as international community partners and UNAIDS.

IAS President-elect, Nobel Laureate, Director of the Regulation of Retroviral Infections Unit at the Institute Pasteur in Paris and International Conference Chair for the International AIDS Conference Professor Françoise Barré-Sinoussi said the IAS was extremely pleased to partner with the City of Melbourne, the Victorian Coalition Government, the Federal Government of Australia as well as scientific and community leaders from the Asia-Pacific.
“As the region (Asia-Pacific) with the largest geographic area and population, dramatically varying levels of wealth, and a complex mix of structural and behavioural determinants of risk, experts from the region have a unique perspective on the epidemic. Hosting the International AIDS Conference in Melbourne will make it possible for these experts to attend the conference and share their successes and challenges on a global level,” Professor Barré-Sinoussi said.

Professor Sharon Lewin, Director of the Infectious Diseases Unit at the Alfred Hospital, Professor of Medicine at Monash University, and co-head of the Centre for Virology at the Burnet Institute in Melbourne has been named Local Chair of the conference.
“Since the early 1980s, Australia has been a global leader in improving the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of HIV/AIDS, both here and internationally,” Professor Lewin said.
“The Australian health policy response to HIV has been characterised as emerging from the grassroots rather than top-down, with a high degree of partnership between scientists, government and community.

“The conference will present new research and influence key policy makers to increase commitment and action based on evidence. It will also promote stimulating dialogue and build consensus to chart a course forward to advance the fight against HIV/AIDS while highlighting the outstanding work of our local scientists.”

Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists chooses ACC Liverpool for its 33rd annual congress

The Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RCOG) has announced ACC Liverpool, home to BT Convention Centre and Echo Arena, as the chosen venue for its 33rd British International Congress of Obstetrics and Gynaecology in 2013. The international annual congress will host over 1200 trainee, consultant and specialist obstetricians and gynaecologists from over 50 representative countries.

The three-day congress, organised by Hampton Medical Conferences, will take place 24-26 June 2013 and comprise meetings and seminars as well as exhibitors at ACC Liverpool, and a social programme at Liverpool Cathedral.

The RCOG put forward a bid for Liverpool as there were very few destinations in the UK that could comfortably accommodate large numbers of delegates under one roof as well as exhibition space and a range of hotel accommodation within walking distance.

Lynn Whitley, Director for meetings at RCOG said, “We put together the bid for Liverpool as it’s one of the few places we knew could cope with accommodating our growing demands.  It’s great to know that they have the latest facilities and the venue is purpose built for meetings such as ours.  The venue has integrated AV facilities which will be useful for us to webcast our meeting internationally and perform live demonstrations if necessary.  We are really looking forward to our 2013 event just as I’m sure the delegates are keen to experience the city of Liverpool.”

Kerrin MacPhie, Director of Sales ACC Liverpool said, “We are delighted to be hosting the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists after winning the bid this year.  ACC Liverpool has established an un-rivalled reputation across the medical sector due to our understanding of the demands of these types of events. This decision is a reflection of the commitment that we have to surpass expectations and really drive Liverpool forward as one of the UK’s leading destinations for meetings, events and exhibitions.”

ACC Liverpool opened in 2008 and has since made a name for itself within the medical sector due to its flexibility in hosting large scale associations of this kind as well as destination support, further confirming the city’s appeal to this sector.

SARAWAK TO HOST INTERNATIONAL ACUPUNCTURE AND TRADITIONAL CHINESE MEDICINE CONVENTION IN 2012

The World Federation of Acupuncture-Moxibustion Society (WFAS) will be holding its 2nd World Academic Convention on Acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) in Sarawak, Malaysia from the 30th of April to 2nd May 2012. During this period, Pullman Hotel, Kuching, Sarawak will play host to various practitioners of acupuncture and traditional Chinese medicine, as well as physicians from the world over to discuss topics relating to acupuncture, orthopaedic treatments, cancer and TCM education.

WFAS, founded in November 1987 in Beijing, has 135 member societies in 50 countries and regions, and is the main organiser of the 2nd WFAS International TCM Convention (Global Tour on Acupuncture Styles- Malaysia). This convention is jointly hosted by the Malaysian Chinese Medicine Organisation and Management Science University (MSU); the WFAS TCM Convention has attracted the support of both the Federal and Sarawak State Governments through the Malaysia Convention & Exhibition Bureau (MyCEB) and Sarawak Convention Bureau (SCB) to further promote this event.

According to Prof. Liao Chunhua, Chairman of the Organising Committee, “Kuching, Sarawak was the ideal location for our convention to promote the prosperity and development of acupuncture academics in the country as well as enhance the pervasiveness of Chinese Medicine service in Malaysia”.

“Our convention provides a platform for scholars, experts and specialists to exchange ideas and meeting in Sarawak enables our delegates to experience the convergence of tradition and modernity,” she adds.

For over a decade, TCM has played an important role in the Malaysian healthcare industry. With over 28 ethnic groups in Malaysia, each of them has their own traditional medicine which is ready to be shared with people around the world. An estimated 70 per cent of the Malaysian population believes in and practices Chinese medication. At present, Malaysia is home to approximately 7,000 TCM practitioners. Five universities and nine government hospitals have established a dedicated department for Tradition & Complementary Medicine (T/ CM).

Mr. Zulkefli Hj Sharif, Chief Executive Officer of MyCEB comments, “The WFAS TCM Convention marks a wonderful opportunity for local TCM practitioners and healthcare providers to network and learn from an international audience. It also allows Malaysia to showcase local innovation and expertise in this area to the global TCM community, further building Malaysia’s profile as the regional centre of TCM and as Asia’s business events hub.

“In addition, the convention is expected to bring in RM2.5 million in economic impact to the nation based on international delegate expenditure,” he adds.

Mrs. Jill Henry, Chief Executive Officer of SCB added, “Kuching has become a popular city for conventions and seminars, and we are pleased to host the 2nd WFAS International TCM Convention to promote an exchange between International Chinese Medicine and Acupuncture with Malaysian Chinese Medicine. I am sure that the delegates will have a wonderful and memorable time in Sarawak.”

For more information regarding the 2nd WFAS International TCM Convention (Global Tour on Acupuncture Styles- Malaysia), please visit, http://wfas2012malaysia.com/

QNCC TO HOST HISTORIC FIRST UNITED NATIONS FORUM

DOHA, 15 November 2011 – The Qatar National Convention Centre will today host its first United Nations event when 1,200 students from around the world converge under the ‘Sidra Tree’ to discuss and debate a range of global issues.

The students will meet as part of the first annual The Hague International Model United Nations (THIMUN) which has been organised by Qatar Academy, a member of Qatar Foundation. The Qatar Model United Nations has been operating for six years.

The students will each take on the role of a diplomat for a nation not their own, encouraging them to approach complex issues from a different perspective. The key themes to be discussed include human rights, protection of the environment, economic development, disarmament, the problems of youth and of refugees, as well as conflict resolution.

The General Manager of the QNCC, Adam Mather-Brown said this event was the third of four “curtain-raisers” to be held before the Centre officially opens and hosts 5,000 delegates at the 20^th World Petroleum Congress in early December.

“We are proud to host the first United Nations event in our Centre and look forward with anticipation to hosting another next month when the 4^th United Nations Alliance of Civilizations Forum (UNAOC 2011) meets.”

“Through such high calibre events, we are confident that in a relatively short period the QNCC will become the preferred conference and exhibition venue of choice in the region. Through the delivery of high quality service, we look forward to creating greater awareness toward both Qatar and the QNCC,” Mr Mather-Brown said.

The THIMUN Qatar opening ceremony will be held on Wednesday, 16November in the Centre’s 2,300 seat theatre. Up to 24 different meeting rooms will be used to cater for the discussions.

Science first at the HOFBURG Vienna

Four new fixed congress bookings for 2012

The HOFBURG Vienna has secured fixed bookings from four larger-scale conferences in 2012. “These new events alone will generate as many as 16,700 overnight stays for the Austrian capital. Overall we expect to contribute somewhere in the region of 32,500 bednights for the city in the coming year,” says HOFBURG Vienna managing director Renate Danler.

Science sets the tone when it comes to the latest crop of acquisitions. From 3–7 July the International Conference on Arabidopsis Research will bring together about 1,000 delegates in the staterooms of the HOFBURG Vienna. “This annual conference is one of the leading international plant biology congresses. Discussions will centre on the latest developments in cellular and developmental biology, evolution and biosystems,” explains the conference organizer Dr. Geoffrey Clarke.

The Third International Symposium on Life-Cycle Civil Engineering will put the spotlight on a hot economic topic from 3–6 October. “The conference is organised by the University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna, and looks into all aspects of the life cycle – from assessment and design to maintenance and rehabilitation to monitoring natural and man-made engineering structures,“ reveals conference president Prof. Alfred Strauss.

The 15th Congress of the European NeuroEndocrine Association (11–15 September) will be a forum for transferring specialist medical knowledge. Around 1,000 scientists from 20 different countries are expected to attend. “This congress is a major highlight for anyone with an interest in central hormonal control. It brings together clinicians and basic researchers from all over the world with the leading international experts in this area,” explains Prof. Anton Luger, congress president, and head of Endocrinology and Metabolic Science at the Medical University of Vienna and Vienna General Hospital.

The HOFBURG Vienna is particularly pleased to have scooped the European Resuscitation Council’s international conference. This specialist Belgian medical conference on resuscitation and emergency medicine will bring about 1,900 physicians to the imperial conference centre from 18–20 October 2012. “We have heard that we are going to be the biggest conference at the Hofburg this year,” reports ERC conference organiser Joeroen Janssens.

In addition to the four new arrivals, a further twenty conferences and meetings have already confirmed their bookings for 2012, proving once again that the Austrian capital is in demand as a destination for scientific and research conferences. 

“The 16th ESOT Congress will be held in Vienna in September 2013: AIM Group International appointed as PCO”

‘The International Transplant CongressTM‘ organized by the European Society for Organ Transplantation bringing together the leading experts of all fields related to transplantation, will be held again in Vienna after sixteen years.

Austria can boast a renowned clinic and academic tradition in transplantation and this aspect was certainly important in the choice of destination; but equally important was the appeal of the town, which besides being a ideal location thanks to its conference, hotel and transport facilities, offers delegates and visitors an extraordinary environment where history and architecture of the past are integrated with the current variety of a dynamic cultural offer.

AIM Group International, one of the major European PCOs, will collaborate with the ESOT Congress Secretariat to developed a very innovative project that will make the Congress not only a crucial event for the scientific community, but also a keystone for medical meeting in general.
In close collaboration with the Vienna Convention Bureau and with the city authorities, AIM Group International will offer support in handling the more than three thousand delegates that the Congress will gather at the Austria Centre Vienna for four days, looking to deliver a memorable cultural event for the participants.

“The ESOT 2013 Vienna Congress will mark further the innovations in our conference format” declares Annalisa Ponchia, Executive Officer of ESOT “We have already introduced significant changes in our ESOT 2011 Glasgow Congress this year, such as an Hybrid Poster Area and more interactive presentation formats. We want to carry on our social media platform to stimulate networking before and during the Vienna congress, and pursue the usage of up-to-date technological tools to make more effective the scientific content. The title of the Congress, “Pushing the limits” refers not only to the development of techniques of transplantation, but also reflects our philosophy in disseminating the (scientific) information”.

Athens to host the 16th European Congress of Neurosurgery

An amazing success lies in the fact that Athens was chosen to host the 16th European Congress of Neurosurgery in 2016, following a successful bid by the Hellenic Neurosurgical Society (HNS) at the presentation of the candidate cities, during the 14th European Congress of Neurosurgery that took place on 13 October 2011 in Rome.

The organization of a congress of such calibre in a Greek city – approximately 2500 delegates are expected to attend – will underline its dynamic presence on the convention scene, contribute to promoting its tourism potential and provide actual support to the Greek economy.

Other candidate cities also participating in the bid for the congress included Geneva and Tel Aviv, with Athens finally prevailing. The Congress, that will be taking place for the first time in Greece and South East Europe in general, aims to promote the networking of neurosurgeons in Europe, and the exchange of knowledge among the neurosurgical communities of Europe.

The bid committee for the Congress consists of the Chairman, Prof. Panayiotis Selviaridis and the President of the HNS, Prof. Ioannis Patsalas, who were supported throughout the preparation phase by ARTION Conferences & Events (PCO), which put together the bid proposal and coordinated all the processes required to ensure a complete, flawless presentation, starting in 2007.
“We are particularly pleased that the Neurosurgeons of Europe have entrusted us with the organization of the Congress of the European Association of Neurosurgical Societies (EANS), particularly during this difficult period for our country”, stated Prof. Panayiotis Selviaridis, Chairman of the bid committee for the Congress.
“The organization of the 16th European Congress of Neurosurgery in Athens is a unique opportunity to promote the Greek neurosurgical community abroad”, noted Prof. Ioannis Patsalas, President of the HNS.
“Such a successful outcome, which promotes convention tourism in our country, is of utmost importance, particularly at a time when Greece is “eager” to highlight its convention tourism potential abroad. “Good things can only be achieved with great effort”, as the ancient Greeks used to say, and after a lot of hard work over a number of years, against very strong competitors, we have managed, despite the current situation, to promote Athens in the best possible way and undertake the organization of the Congress in 2016”, stated Ms. Despoina Amarantidou, Communication Manager at Artion Conferences & Events.
The bid by the Hellenic Neurosurgical Society was supported by the City of Athens and the Athens Convention & Visitors Bureau.

GLOBAL ELECTROTECHNICAL CONFERENCE CONVENES IN MELBOURNE – THE MAJOR EVENTS CAPITAL

The world’s leading electrotechnical experts will be descending on Melbourne en masse this week to attend the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) General Meeting hosted by Standards Australia.

The Meeting, which was secured for Melbourne by the Melbourne Convention + Visitors Bureau (MCVB), will be held at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre from today until Friday.

“This event is the world’s most significant meeting of electrotechnical minds,” said Colin Blair, Chief Executive Officer, Standards Australia.

 The IEC General Meeting attracts over 1,300 members and accompanying persons from 70 countries across the globe.

“Melbourne is not only a spectacular city, but also a leader in innovation, technology and its overall economic vitality; so it’s very fitting that Melbourne should play host,” Mr Blair said.

 The IEC prepares and publishes international standards for electrical, electronic and related technologies – ranging from those aimed at household electrical appliances to industrial scale projects such as power plants.

 IEC’s international standards facilitate world trade by removing technical barriers to trade, leading to new markets and economic growth.

Melbourne follows recent host cities Seattle (2010) and Tel Aviv (2009). The IEC General Meeting was last held in Australia in Sydney in 1993.

 “The high-calibre gathering comprises industry representatives, academics, regulators and other major stakeholders and provides a platform for Melbourne to showcase itself to industry leaders from across the globe,” Mr Blair concluded.

Gerontology and Geriatrics Congress to Promote Ageing Well Together

An estimated 900 experts working in the field of ageing will converge on Melbourne next week for the Ninth Asia/Oceania Regional Congress of Gerontology and Geriatrics.

The Congress, which was secured for Melbourne by the Melbourne Convention + Visitors Bureau (MCVB), will be held at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre (MCEC) from 23 to 27 October, 2011. It will cover a range of critical issues that highlight the latest developments in ageing and will draw significant international attendance from delegates spanning 30 countries, including Taiwan, China, Korea, Malaysia, and Japan, as well as Australia and New Zealand.

Professor Keith Hill, Chairman of the Congress, said the event had four main topics – clinical medicine, biological sciences, social and behavioural sciences and social research and planning.

“Bringing together researchers, practitioners, service providers and policy makers is crucial in this rapidly changing field,” he said.

“As the world faces population growth coupled with an ageing workforce, it is important to bring together the movers and shakers to discuss issues which affect everyone – family, friends, the broader community and those working in the area.”

He said the main emphasis of the Congress was to show how it is possible to age well together, as its theme highlights.

“All too often we get inundated with sad and bad stories about growing old but there are so many positive stories to tell also,” said Professor Hill.

Keynote speakers include Dr John Beard, Director of the Department of Ageing and Life Course at the World Health Organisation, who will be calling on Australian cities to join the Global Network of Age-Friendly Cities.

Professor Graeme Hugo, ARC Australian Professorial Fellow and Professor of Geography at the University of Adelaide, will discuss the tricky question of immigration and ageing, a major challenge facing the Australian Government currently.

Professor Colin Masters, from Victoria’s Mental Health Research Institute, will discuss Alzheimer’s disease. His work in the field has had a major influence on Alzheimer’s disease research worldwide, and has led to the continued development of new drugs and treatments.

Professor Hill said that he was delighted with the range of topics that will be discussed during the Congress, adding that it was exciting to see a wealth of postgraduate students delivering papers.

“From safe sex, death and retirement, through to ‘meals on wheels’ and the use of video sports games, we will have every issue facing people over 50 covered,” he said.

Prague welcomes the 24th Biennial Congress on the Law of the World: National Legal Cultures in a Globalized World

The 24^th Biennial Congress on the Law of the World: National Legal Cultures in a Globalized World, will take place October 23^rd – 28^th, 2011 in the Prague Congress Centre. The congress, which will bring together nearly 500 judges, lawyers, law professors and other professionals from around theworld, is organized by the World Jurist Association (WJA) in cooperation withLiberty Incentives & Congresses Prague.

“A world ruled by law, not force.” This has been the World Jurist Association (WJA)’s mission since its founding in 1963. The WJA was formed in response to an international outcry for a free and open forum where professionals in the field of law from around the world could work cooperatively to strengthen and expand the Rule of Law and its institutions through the nations of the world.As a non-governmental organization with special consultative status at the UN Economic and Social Council, the WJA provides a unique forum for the international community. The congresses continue to provide a forum where individuals from all nations and all areas of the legal profession can gather and exchange ideas and experiences.

Every two years, members of the legal profession gather at the WJA Biennial Congresses for 1 week, to discuss the important legal development of the time, formulate resolutions which are delivered to Heads of State and Government as well as used in dialogue with international organizations, such as the United Nations. These Congresses have seen many accomplishments in the furtherance of the Rule of Law. They are also a time of friendship, open dialogue, and celebration. The establishment and celebration of World Law Day is one such example. “We are very pleased that this year will be the question of the world’s legal systems discussed in Prague, which was given the opportunity to host this important legislation congress,” says Director of the Prague Convention Bureau Lenka Žlebková.

President Lyndon Johnson of the United States was the first Head of State to recognize World Law Day.  Chief Justice Kisaburo Yokota of Japan, the first Honorary World Chairman of World Law Day, remarked, “The lawyers of the World have marked another important milestone in their struggle toward the great goal of international peace.”  Justice Yokota went on to say that World Law Day calls upon the entire world to re-evaluate the place of law in the community of nations and to re-instill in our way of life the rule of law as an ultimate assurance of world peace

The International Demonstration Trial, another tradition started by the WJA, began in 1971.  During the demonstration, hypothetical cases are argued by lawyers from various countries before a panel of Chief Justices of the world.  The Demonstration Trials have educated lawyers and laypeople around the world and have shown that law can indeed replace war as the proper forum for decisions of international disputes.  The Demonstration Trials give judges a time and place to express their great value to the peace process on a regular biennial basis.

Experience the Power of the Wind Energy Industry

EWEA Annual Event is Europe’s premier wind energy event; a place where the industry’s brightest minds meet to exchange the latest knowledge, forge meaningful business relationships and create connections with influential people around the world.

It combines a comprehensive, high-quality conference with a first class exhibition and incomparable networking opportunities. This is why it is considered unmissable by the international wind energy community.

Calling all innovators: submit your abstract for EWEA 2012

The call for abstracts for Europe’s premier wind energy event is now open! Conference track chairs – six of the industry’s top experts, are calling for fresh, cutting-edge ideas to be discussed in one of the six tracks during EWEA 2012 and covering policies, technology, financing and science.

Find out more about the conference and call for innovative abstracts at EWEA 2012.

Save the date for EWEA 2012 in Copenhagen

EWEA 2011 attracted a record-breaking 9,000+ participants, coming from a total of 84 countries. In 2012, Europe’s premier wind energy event will take place in Copenhagen, Denmark; the leading country in European wind power technology. The 2012 edition is set to be bigger and better than ever before. Over 10,000 professionals from around the world are expected to attend and experience the power of the wind energy industry.

With even more insightful seminars and more impressive exhibitions than ever before, EWEA 2012 is gearing up to be the most stimulating arena Europe-wide for dynamic networking and achieving great business performance.

Don’t let this brilliant business opportunity pass you by. Plan the event in your calendars to benefit from:

• latest knowledge from wind power technology experts
• wide-ranging information on every aspect of the wind energy
• exchange of insight with the most diverse network of specialists
• the world’s leading companies at one floor
• networking with players from the full scope of the supply chain
• building meaningful business relations with the people that matter
• signing new business deals with the decision-makers

Save the date and get ready to ‘Experience the power of the wind energy industry’ at EWEA 2012 Annual Event in Copenhagen.

ICCA Congress breaks 1000 registrations for the first time

With almost 2 weeks to go 995 delegates from 70 countries are booked in. ICCA is anticipating it will reach a record-breaking attendance of well over 1000 delegates. The previous record was 982 delegates for the 2009 ICCA Congress in Florence, Italy.

ICCA CEO Martin Sirk says: “Germany has one of our largest and most active national groups of member companies and organisations, and the surrounding northern European region also has strong ICCA membership: these are just some of the reasons we have achieved a record attendance in Leipzig. It’s also a great location for bringing in delegates from the emerging economies of Eastern Europe and Russia, and is easily connected to the wider world. When this natural accessibility is combined with an excellent educational programme, the opportunity to identify local potential clients in both corporate and association sectors, and tremendous support from the Leipzig team, it’s a winning formula for what we are certain will be a wonderful Congress”.

ICCA is also on track to recruit either a record or near-record number of new members this year, which reflects the fact that the international association meetings market continues to grow, despite the current economic situation.

Martin Sirk: “Despite the challenging global economic environment we’re delighted to see a record attendance for our annual congress, as well as a continued growth in membership, including from countries which are suffering the most. I am certain this can be attributed to the continued attraction of the international association meetings market, and the relevance of ICCA’s tools, database and business opportunities which are aimed precisely at this resilient segment.”

Dubai hosts Natalie Tours Annual Congress for 7th consecutive year

For the seventh consecutive year, Dubai hosted the Annual Congress of Natalie Tours at Atlantis hotel from September 29 to October 4, offering 250 of its travel agents from Russia, CIS and Baltic region valuable insights into the emirate’s varied tourism products and attractions.
In the first quarter of 2011, Dubai properties hosted 171,329 guests from these markets, an increase of 24 per cent compared with the corresponding period in 2010.
The congress has been organised by Natalie Tours , Alpha Tours, the largest tour operator in Dubai in cooperation with Atlantis .
The congress was also attended by Mr.Ghassan El Aridi, CEO of Alpha Tours, Adnan Aridi General Manager and Ms. Natalia Vorobieva, CEO of Natalie Tours.
Recalling her company’s long association with Dubai and its efforts in selling holiday packages to Dubai to Russians and tourists in other markets, Ms. Natalia said the choice of Dubai as the host city for their annual congress reaffirms the importance of Dubai as a distinctive tourist destination and its ability to attract a high number of Russian tourists.
Natalie Tours, in cooperation with Alpha Tours, had signed an agreement with flydubai airline to offer regular flights between Dubai and some of the important Russian cities outside Moscow, such as Yekaterinburg and Samara. The deal is expected to increase the number of tourists from the Russian, CIS and Ukranian markets to Dubai in the coming years .
Dubai’s first low cost airline announced that three Ukrainian cities – Kiev, Kharkiv and Donetsk – have become new destinations on the airline’s rapidly growing network in September.
According to Association of Tour Operators of Russia (ATOR), in a report in May 2011, said the interest of the Russians in the UAE increased considerably during the first three months of the year. For example, the growth of the visits of the Russians to Dubai amounted to 27 per cent during the first quarter of the year in comparison with the same period of last year.
The number of the tourists of Natalie Tours in Dubai increased by 76 per cent during the period from January till March 2011 in comparison with the same period of last year. The share of Natalie Tours in the UAE market comes nearly to 40 per cent according to the results of the first quarter of 2011.
Established in April 1992, Natalie Tours has been a leading tour operator of Russia offering holiday packages to various destinations, including the UAE in general and Dubai in particular.
Mr. Ghassan El Aridi, said Natalie Tours has been playing a key role in ensuring the steady annual increase in Russian tourists to Dubai.

FLORENCE INTERNATIONAL CAPITAL OF SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH

In these days Florence Convention Bureau wins four scientific conferences candidacy: more than 3.000 people from 2013 to 2015. Councillor for Tourism Giacomo Billi: “A great result for the local economy”

Between 2013 and 2015 the committees of four prestigious associations of doctors, psychologists, mathematicians, statisticians and sociologists have chosen the “cradle of the Renaissance” as the seat of their annual meetings, bringing more than 3,000 people in Florence.

This results thanks to the activity of Florence Convention Bureau, which has followed the candidacy procedure and wins prestigious European cities.

Going in chronological order the first candidacy won is represented by the conference “European Society for Rural Sociology”, August 2013 from 19th to 22nd the Business Center will gather around 500 international experts in agriculture, rural development and environmental protection association ESRS (European Society for Rural Sociology), leader in the study of agriculture and fisheries, food production and consumption, rural development and change, nature and environmental protection born in 1957 in Europe.

A few months later, from October 2nd to 6th, Florence will host the Society for Psychophysiological Research Congress 2013, with its 700 members in the aim of promoting research on the interrelationships between the physiological and psychological aspects of behavior.

On 2014 the International Biometric Conference (July 5th to 11th, 700 participants) is an event captured in collaboration with Florence Fair, which has the purpose of promotion, development and application of mathematical and statistical theory and methods in biological sciences, including agriculture, biomedical science and public health, ecology, environmental science, forestry, and related disciplines. The Association welcomes as its members statistical, mathematical, world-class scientists. The event will gather 700 participants.

Instead, news of these days the acquisition of the prestigious Euro Fed Lipid Congress Europe 2015 (27-30 September 2015) which will arrive in the city over 800 leading international experts in research on lipids, fats and oils and associations belonging to 13 major European scientists involved in the field.

Satisfaction in the words of the Councillor for Tourism the Province of Florence and Fcb President Giacomo Billi: “These numbers surprised us a lot, mainly because it starts from an activity that in recent years had been quite marginal. We did not even minimally able to obtain these results in a single year with new management“.

The Councillor focused also on the economic impact that such events have on the city: “The statistics of the Province of Florence Congress Observatory estimate that such events can have a total relapse in the area of 250,000 euros each, important datas that we are proud to be able to communicate in support of our daily work and demonstrate the importance of the conference for the city“. “Fcb – said Billi – is hosting an impressive average of nearly 3 international candidacies per month, one every 10 days, a total amount of 30 presentations. In addition to this staff has participated in around 20 trade fairs, representing Tuscany as a whole through an agreement with Toscana Promozione. We believe – the President concluded - that the conference sector can represent a strong weapon in solving the current crisis as an overall recovery, involving private and public in a partnership that can be considered the secret of the Fcb success“.

“It is a great satisfaction in seeing the results of our work – said the Director Carlotta Ferrari – bringing prestige and economic benefits important to the entire territory. I want to thank our partners and the institutions for their support with experience and professionalism“. On the last congress victory the Director said: “We are very happy for this victory - said Carlotta Ferrari – many thanks to the invaluable support of Prof. Lanfranco Conte and Dr. Alissa Mattei of the Italian Society for the Study of Fat Subtances, thank you on behalf of the entire staff“.

Fcb is working on the national side for the organization of the Dynamic Test Events Show, fam trips and unique among the first in Italy from November 10th to 13th, which will gather in Tuscany important companies to promote the destinations through a unique and unusual emotional event.

ACS played an integral role in realising the ESC Congress 2011 for the European Society of Cardiology

ACS constructed 31 temporary lecture rooms, to accommodate the record attendance of almost 33,000 participants at Parc des Expositions – Paris Nord Villepinte.
ACS was also responsible for furnishing all of the lecture rooms, placing state-of-the-art HD projectors, speakers, screens, microphones and lights in each of the rooms, the largest of which was the 3200 capacity plenary room. ACS is an invaluable partner in achieving a congress of such enormity and has been the preferred supplier of room building and AV to the European Society of Cardiology since 1998.
“The ESC Congress 2011 in Paris has been a record breaking event” said Prof Michael Böhm, chairman of the ESC Congress Programme Committee. “With a total attendance of 32,946 participants, this is our largest congress ever. We are especially pleased to see that more and more delegates are coming from outside Europe. Large delegations came from Brazil, Japan, China and India this year,” said Prof Böhm.
The planning for this colossal event starts years in advance, initially in finding a location that is able to accommodate such an immense number of attendees. The logistics by ACS are impressive: dispatching 38 trucks from Amsterdam to the venue in Paris. These trucks are packed full with: 59 projectors, 1400m2 of projection screen surface, 65 plasma screens, 720 spotlights, 360 microphones, 262 speakers, 42km of cabling, 6km of trussing, 7.2km of curtains, 2.5km of walls, 23,000m2 of carpeting, 18,000 stools, and of course the 80 ACS staff needed to build, set up and manage the operation at the Paris venue.

Vienna lands two top-class medical congresses

The latest acquisitions made by the Vienna Convention Bureau at the Vienna Tourist Board will generate up to 50,000 bednights for Vienna and contribute € 30 million to Austria’s gross domestic product (GDP).
The European Society for Organ Transplantation (ESOT) will hold its 16th Congress at the Austria Center Vienna from September 8–11, 2013. The congress will provide an opportunity for over three thousand delegates to discuss the latest findings in organ and tissue transplantation. The society last held its congress in Vienna in the year 1995. During the selection process, a team of
surgeons from Vienna and Innsbruck won out in the face of competition from Barcelona. The Austrian team was more convincing mainly due to Vienna’s attractiveness as a venue and to a modern, innovative congress format. Professor Ferdinand Mühlbacher of the University Clinic of Surgery at the Medical University of Vienna, explains the return of this congress: “Austria has established an
international reputation for itself in the field of organ transplantation. This is expressed not only in the high number of organ transplants, but also in the excellent results obtained. Besides, transplantation research in Austria is at the head of this field with a host of innovations and multicentre studies.
Close collaboration between Austrian transplantation centers and a very attractive, innovative concept for the 2013 congress persuaded the Council of the ESOT, the European Society for Organ Transplantation, to choose Vienna as its congress venue. Vienna also hosted the Congress of the International Transplantation Organization in the year 2004, a congress which many of delegates
remember to this day, not only for its scientific content, but also for its excellent general conditions.”

Hard-won success after twelve-year competition
A long selection process was necessary before the World Lung Cancer Congress could be secured for Vienna. The Vienna Convention Bureau and the Austrian acquisition team headed by Professor Robert Pirker of the 1st University Clinic for Internal Medicine have been working on this project since 1999. On its third attempt, Vienna’s bid was finally accepted by the board of the international
association with an overwhelming majority. The decisive reasons for its decision were not only an excellent bid book and an acquisition team that included internationally renowned lung cancer experts, but also massive support from the surrounding provinces coupled with Vienna’s reputation as a top congress venue. As a result, at the end of August/beginning of September 2017, more than 8,000
specialists will be discussing the latest advancements in the field of lung cancer. There are also plans for public campaigns designed to inform the local populace about risks and prevention .

“These two large-scale events will generate at total of around 50,000 bednights for Vienna and contribute some 30 million euros to Austria’s gross domestic product,” explains Christian Mutschlechner, Director of the Vienna Convention Bureau at the Vienna Tourist Board. “Once again, the tried and tested cooperation between the organizers, the congress centers involved and the Vienna Convention Bureau played a decisive role here. This was particularly difficult in the competition for the World Lung Cancer Conference, which required all those involved to exhibit remarkable perseverance.
However, their mutual support for one another also helped tremendously. It has not yet been decided where the conference will be staged: both the Austria Center Vienna and the Messe Wien are currently under consideration.”

Liverpool praised by opposition leader for successful conference

The Leader of the opposition has praised Liverpool for being a “fantastic backdrop” for the Labour Party conference.

The city has enjoyed an estimated £15 million economic boost from the event, which has attracted 11,000 delegates including two thousand national and international press and media to the 5 day event held at ACC Liverpool, home to BT Convention Centre and Echo Arena.

The Right Honourable Ed Miliband MP, said: “Liverpool has been a fantastic host city and I would like to thank all the people and agencies involved in making our conference such a great success.

“Listening to people has always been at the heart of Labour Party conference and by holding conference in Liverpool many people have experienced conference for the first time.

“The city and its venues have been a fantastic back drop for a very successful conference.”

A record 500 fringe meetings, debates and discussions have taken place at venues across the city, and the city has been the backdrop for hundreds of hours of national TV coverage.

Flagship network television programmes such as BBC One Breakfast, the Andrew Marr show, Newsnight and Sky News have all broadcast live from in and around ACC Liverpool.

Bob Prattey, Chief Executive of ACC Liverpool, said: “We are proud to have welcomed the Labour Party Conference to the city and to ACC Liverpool.

“The conference has enabled us to showcase everything the city and our world-class venue has to offer, not least the talent of our team here at ACC Liverpool, the expertise of our partners across the city and the warm welcome that the people of Liverpool have once again provided.

“To have successfully delivered such a large-scale event, with the eyes of the world’s media upon us, has been a massive coup.

“We hope Mr Miliband, and all the delegates who attended, have enjoyed their time in Liverpool as much as we have enjoyed hosting them.”

Lorraine Rogers, Chief Executive of The Mersey Partnership – Tourist Board for Liverpool City Region said: “The Labour Party Conference has played a significant role in raising the profile of Liverpool City Region as an excellent conference destination which can stage high profile events.

“The conference has also provided a valuable opportunity to attract a huge amount of media interest – resulting in widespread TV coverage featuring stunning shots of the city centre and Waterfront shown live around the world. Feedback from delegates has been extremely positive, and we look forward to welcoming them back in the future.”

ACC Liverpool takes centre stage for the official welcome of Labour Party Conference 2011

ACC Liverpool Chief Executive Bob Prattey officially welcomed the Labour Party Leader Ed Miliband this weekend as the award-winning venue opened its doors to an expected 11,000 delegates for this year’s Labour Party Annual Conference 2011, 25 – 29 September.

2,000 national and international press and media are set to attend this year’s conference, with broadcasts from the BBC’S The Andrew Marr Show, Daily Politics Show and Breakfast News as well as coverage from ITN and Sky News transmitted live from ACC Liverpool, home to BT Convention Centre and Echo Arena throughout the week ahead.

The venue will be used to its full scope for the conference and its associated activities: keynote speeches by Ed Miliband and Harriet Harman will take place in the Echo Arena while breakouts and exhibitions will be held in the adjoining BT Convention Centre.   Hall 1C will become a showcase for Young British Talent hosted by Eddie Izzard while another 500 fringe events will be hosted throughout the venue, in a marquee village adjacent and at various locations across the city.

The largest event ever held at ACC Liverpool, the Labour Party Conference represents one of the tightest security operations in the North West and has been rigorously planned between ACC Liverpool and city stake holders including Merseyside Police, Liverpool Convention Bureau and Liverpool City Council.  Maximum security procedures are in place throughout the week facilitated by the venue’s ease of lockdown, effectively creating a secure campus site.

The Labour Party Annual Conference is expected to bring an economic benefit to the city of £15m and brings ACC Liverpool’s total contribution to the city economy to £500m since it opened in 2008.

Bob Prattey, CEO ACC Liverpool said, “Labour Party Annual Conference is widely recognised as being one of the most high profile events in the UK and we are delighted to be host venue and the central focus of the Labour Party’s activity.  This is the largest scale event we have staged and we are very much looking forward to seeing the rigorous planning and logistics bear fruit when Ed Miliband takes centre stage on Tuesday for his keynote address.”

ACC Liverpool Chairman David McDonnell also commented: “The decision of Labour Party to bring their annual conference to Liverpool demonstrates that our venue and city can host events of national and international significance on a huge scale. This is down to the fact that organisations in both the private and public sector are able to work together towards a common aim.

“Praise must be given also to the people of the city for consistently laying on such a fantastic warm Liverpool welcome to conference-goers year after year after year.”

6000 neurologists on EFNS Conference

Prague to welcome more than 1400 international hydropower experts for HYDRO 2011 Conference in October

Wallington, UK and Prague, Czech Republic, 26 September 2011: HYDRO 2011:

Practical Solutions for a Sustainable Future, an international conference and exhibition organized by The International Journal on Hydropower & Dams will be held in Prague from 17 to 19 October 2011. Policy-makers, developers, financiers, and hydro practitioners from all parts of the world will attend the event, which will be held at the Prague Congress Centre.

With nearly 2 billion people in the world still lacking a reliable electricity supply, and about 70 per cent of the world’s hydro potential remaining to be exploited, there is no doubt about the urgent need for more carefully planned hydro schemes to be implemented. In the industrialized nations, for example in Europe, many hydro plants have been in operation for 50 years or more; refurbishment and upgrading will bring them in line with current safety standards, and can offer a cost-effective way of bringing new capacity on line to meet increasing demand.

The HYDRO 2011 conference will review progress, challenges, research needs, development potential, and ways in which industrialized countries can maximize the benefits of existing hydro assets. The event will be co-hosted by the Czech utility CEZ, as well as local authorities. Other supporting organizations will include: the International Commission on Large Dams and its Czech National Committee, the International Energy Agency, the International Water Resources Association, the European Small Hydropower Association, and the Czech Renewable Energy Alliance. An international steering committee of eminent experts works with the Aqua-Media team to ensure the technical excellence of the programme. “We are delighted that Prague has a chance to host this important event, and that Hydro 2011 is one of the first conferences to use free transport congress tickets,” said the Director of Prague Convention Bureau Lenka Zlebkova.

The event will be an ideal opportunity to promote Czech hydro and dams expertise, and for interaction with international delegates. The conference and exhibition will bring together high-level experts from all countries with active renewable energy development programmes, to discuss priorities, achievements and challenges. Safety, economy, technological innovation and environmental issues (including the impacts of climate change for hydraulic works) will be high on the agenda.

An important element of HYDRO 2011 will be the major international technical exhibition. About 200 companies active in the hydro and dams profession will demonstrate their expertise and scope of supplies or services. International delegates from more than 85 countries, including financiers from the major IFIs, leading consultants, high level representatives of ministries and power/water authorities, decision makers from private and public developers, and major contractors and suppliers, will have the opportunity to visit exhibitors. Over the three days, they will make valuable new contacts from countries where major hydro development programmes are under way and planned.

Various aspects of HYDRO 2011 will be supported by industry sponsors such as Mavel, Andritz Hydro, Voith, Montanhydraulik, James Walker, Tyazhmash Group of Companies, TES Vsetin, ABB, Emerson Process Management, Meggitt, Kuenz, Povodi Vltavy, and others.
Post-Conference technical tours will give the opportunity for delegates to learn about the role played by renewable energy in the Czech grid, and also Czech expertise in hydraulic research, flood management and environmental protection. Visits have been arranged to the largest pumped-storage schemes operated by the Czech national utility CEZ: Dalesice (450 MW) and Dlouhe Strane (650 MW), as well as multipurpose dams and a recently completed small hydro plant.

The conference and exhibition will be accompanied by cultural excursions for delegates and their partners. They will have the opportunity to visit the Prague castle, and to take part in a river cruise. A full social programme has also been organized for delegates and accompanying persons, providing opportunities for further networking in a relaxed atmosphere, with a chance to sample local culinary specialities, fine wines, and music by world famous Czech composers.

The world’s largest conference & expo dedicated to green buildings will be held at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre

TORONTO, Sept. 26, 2011 /CNW/ – From October 4 – 7, 2011, the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) will hold its first Greenbuild International Conference & Expo outside of the U.S., at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre (MTCC). For three days, the international green building event comes alive with programming, workshops and a vast exhibition floor, providing attendees an unrivaled opportunity to learn about the latest technological innovations, explore new products and network with other professionals.

Not surprisingly for a conference dedicated to green buildings, the environmental standards are to the highest order. Greenbuild’s mandatory green guidelines cover everything from an exhibitor’s sustainability policy, to ensuring booths measure up for air-quality, to minimizing the impact of collateral and shipping materials. The USGBC’s demanding standards also applied to the choice of venue, as it sought a facility aligned with its mandate and values.

According to Kimberley Lewis, the USGBC’s Vice President of Conferences & Events, “Toronto stood out to us for this year’s show because of the growing number of green buildings, the strong Canadian Green Building Council infrastructure and the size of the Metro Toronto Convention Centre, which is ideally located in the heart of the city, with numerous hotels, restaurants and other amenities within arm’s reach.”

“We are delighted to welcome the USGBC and Greenbuild to our green building. When it comes to MTCC’s environmental effort, our mantra is continuous improvement, so we’re looking forward to learning from the experts in this field”, said Barry Smith, President and CEO of the MTCC.

More than 22,000 people are expected to attend Greenbuild, generating a positive impact on the local economy of over $58 million from delegate spending.

Conference Partners and the Office of the Chief Scientific Adviser join forces on Europe’s largest Scientific Conference

Ireland’s award winning Professional Conference Organiser, Conference Partners, has been awarded the honour of working with the Office of the Chief Scientific Adviser to deliver Europe’s largest scientificconference. July 2012 will see the arrival of over 5,000 top international scientists, business leaders, policy-makers, researchers, and science journalists to Ireland’s capital forthe Euroscience Open Forum (ESOF) 2012.

Conference Partners has over 13 years experience in delivering high quality international conferences to Ireland. Their portfolio includes a large range of scientific conferences and it is therefore a great honour for Managing Director, Nicola McGrane and the entireteam to be a part of this prestigious international celebration of science.

Speaking about Conference Partners, the Chief Scientific Adviser Prof. Patrick Cunningham had this to say, “We are delighted to have Conference Partners on board as we work towards bringing ESOF 2012, one of Europe’s top science events, to Dublin next July. ESOF 2012 promises to be a fantastic event, and is already attracting some of the top international researchers. Conference Partners’ wealth of experience in delivering successful conferences will help us ensure that ESOF 2012 is the biggest and best ESOF to date.”

Having taken a personal interest in ESOF 2012 since it was announced for Dublin in November 2008, Nicola McGrane had this to say about winning the contract, “We are thrilled to be working in partnership with the Chief Scientific Adviser’s Office to raise the bar for ESOF2012 and to be part of a team that will showcase our rich scientific heritage to the world. Conference Partners is a company driven by passion and enthusiasm for delivering high quality conferences that we as a nation will be proud of for years to come. Winning this contract is testament to our ability to deliver, on a large scale, a comprehensive and well rounded service to our clients.”

Conference Partners has also worked tirelessly on bringing other science conferences to Ireland since it was announced that ESOF 2012 was coming to Dublin. To this end Conference Partners has successfully secured a number of science related conferences and events for the coming years for Ireland.

Congrex bring efficiency to trio of prestigious conferences

`All good things come in three they say´. Congrex Sweden takes this old saying seriously and announced that it will be the exclusive supplier to three of Sweden’s prestigious medical conferences to be held in Uppsala in 2013. The three conferences will be produced back-to-back by Congrex Sweden’s conference team in three consecutive weeks. The move represents a maximisation of resources and efficiency in executing these three very large events for Congrex clients in order to create value and successful outcomes for all involved. 

The conferences to be organised will be Radiology Week, Surgery Week, and Orthopaedics Surgeon Week with a total of 6,000 participants expected. It is the first time these meetings will take place consecutively and in one place, and it’s a first for the city of Uppsala.

When asked why Congrex Sweden had been the chosen supplier, Radiology Week’s Congress Director, Professor Anders Magnusson, Head of Imaging and Functional Medicine at University Hospital explained, “It was natural for us to choose Congrex. It is simply a matter of confidence. I have worked with them before and know it feels right. Everything works easily and efficiently.”

The three medical congresses have previously taken place at various other locations throughout Sweden and at different times of the year. For the first time with the 2013 editions, they will be held back-to-back on weeks 34, 35 and 36 respectively, from 19^th August to 6^th September. The staging of these three events all in a row brings a tremendous advantage and great efficiency to all and everything involved. Professor Magnusson added “We immediately saw great benefits, especially financially, to coordinate the event.”

The medical meetings also mean a great boost for the city of Uppsala where room night’s consumption will increase greatly, and the high profile events will put the municipality and its offering clearly on the map – both with the academic world and the hospitality industry.

The three events will all take place at the Uppsala Concert & Congress, UKK. Beyond the 14,000 sqm congress hall that will be used, a large tent will be built in Vaksala Square to accommodate the space needed for the convention exhibits. Additionally organisers are planning activities at various public events. “It’s really fun for medical congresses to choose to come to us. We have had Radiology Week here before, but never all three Congresses at once,” commented Mats Molander, Marketing Manager at Uppsala Concert & Congress. Together with Congrex we plan a very significant event for both physicians and Uppsala in Sweden.”

Commenting on this exciting project Congrex Sweden Managing Director, Lena Fletcher added, “We are very proud to be hosting these important meetings and are really looking forward to working with our clients, and the city of Uppsala again, to make each and every one of the conference days a thoroughly successful and gratifying experience for all concerned.”

Sarawak wins the right to host the 8th International Symposium on Digital Earth

(Perth, Australia) Malaysia has beat off tough competition from Europe to secure the right to host
the 2013 International Symposium on Digital Earth (ISDE) in Kuching. The win was announced at the
closing ceremony of the 2011 conference by the President of the International Society on Digital
Earth. Almost 1000 delegates from twenty five countries gathered in Perth Australia to hear the
announcement. 

The notion of “Digital Earth” was developed in 1991 by US Vice President Al Gore, and referred to
the use of technology to gather, store and analyse the geography and systems that make up the
earth. The growth in this sector is used widely from the mining and oil and gas industries, to
predicting weather patterns, responding to global disasters, and the most commonly used digital
earth tool is Google Earth. 

22 years later, in 2013, the 8th ISDE will be held in the city of Kuching, in Sarawak Malaysia. Digital
Earth tools were used extensively in Sarawak over the last few year to plan for 12 new hydroelectric
dams as part of a Malaysian nation building project known as SCORE, and this will be an area of
interest to delegates. 

Professor Dr Mazlan Hashim, the head of the Institute of Geospatial Science & Technology at
Universiti Teknology Malaysia is the chairman of the Malaysian host committee, and along with Scott
Campbell, Executive Director of the Kuching based International Centre for Industry Development
(GRAIN – ICID), was on hand in Perth to receive the conference flag, which was presented to
Malaysia by the Australian conference organisers. The conference flag is passed from country to
country as a symbol of who is hosting ISDE. 

Professor Dr Hashim addressed the delegates,” we are honoured to be given the prestigious right to
host this conference in Malaysia in 2013, we will be working towards having record attendance and
aim to make it the best conference ever”. 

Scott Campbell added, “The ISDE8 will bring experts from around the world to Kuching, and will be
held during the 12 month International Festival of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and
Math) which is occurring throughout 2013 in Sarawak Malaysia. The International Festival will see 10
conferences in related fields descend on the State, involving United Nations Organisations, members
of the Science States Alliance, over a dozen international associations, the Commonwealth Office,
the Chinese Academy of Sciences, and the European Commission”. 

The bid to host ISDE8 was won with support from the Sarawak Convention Bureau (SCB) and
Malaysian Convention and Exhibition Bureau (MYCEB). "The island of Borneo is a perfect case study
for the use of digital earth technology and hosting this important symposium will assist both
government and industry players in their future development planning." Said Jill Henry (CEO of the
SCB), and Mr Zulkefli Sharif (CEO of MYCEB). 

In addition to the many flow on benefits, this conference will attract up to 1200 delegates to
Kuching, and will inject an estimated RM1.7 million into the local tourism industry. The
announcement being made can be viewed at www.industrygrowth.net