Red hearts on flags and rickshaws greeted 32, 800 heart specialists from 150 countries who travelled to Munich for the European Society of Cardiology (ESC) Congress 2018.
The world’s largest and most important cardiology congress returned to the Bavarian capital for the fourth time, 25-29 August, having visited previously in 2004, 2008 and 2012.
And delegates were given a highly visible welcome, with ESC branding at the airport and welcoming flags at the exhibition grounds, in the city centre, and at conference hotels.
In the weeks before the event, rickshaws bearing the ESC logo, a red heart, were busy promoting a public awareness event – Healthy Hearts for Munich – in Odeonsplatz Square. “Healthy Hearts for Munich” offered citizens expert information on cardiovascular health.
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For Deputy Mayor Josef Schmid, head of the city’s Department of Labour and Economic Development, getting the ESC Congress back to the Bavarian capital for the fourth time, was the result of many years of working together in trust and confidence:
“Munich presented itself as a competent and experienced host to the ESC Congress 2012 with excellent infrastructure and as a city of knowledge and science. This was also enough to convince the powers that be in the ESC. Munich was therefore delighted to hear that the ESC wanted to come to the city again. A highlight for the citizens of Munich this year was most certainly the public awareness event which gave everyone the opportunity to be part of the congress. This year, too, the city demonstrated that as a leading trade fair and congress venue it can successfully host and manage large international events that blend into the city’s life and culture.”
The stage for the ESC Congress 2018 was the ICM (Munich’s international congress centre) and its numerous exhibition halls. For five days more than 32 800 researchers and clinicians from around the world shared and discussed the latest research in cardiovascular medicine. More than 4,500 abstracts were presented, and 200 exhibitors showed their products.
Isabel Bardinet, CEO of the ESC, said: “Our congress evolves every year and few destinations are capable of matching their offer to our needs, but the city of Munich and the Messe are also constantly evolving and adapting to meet our growing requirements. We chose to come back because both Munich and the Messe have proven time and again that they understand the needs of association congress organizers, delegates and exhibitors. Munich, and the Messe in particular, provide an ideal setting to showcase the breaking science presented at the ESC Congress.”
Written By
James Lancaster
AMI editor James
Lancaster is a familiar face in the meetings industry and international
association community. Since joining AMI in 2010, he has gained a reputation
for asking difficult questions and getting lost in convention centres. Proofer, podcaster, and panellist - in his spare time, James likes to walk,
read, listen to music, and drink beer.
