The Viszeralmedizin conference on the study of Gastroenterology marked the restart of large events for the east German city of Leipzig.
The conference attracted 4,000 delegates and 100 exhibitors, the largest delegates numbers seen for a medical conference since the start of the pandemic.
The congress was held at the Congress Center Leipzig (CCL) between 16-18 September and combined the annual meetings of the German Society for Gastroenterology, Digestive and Metabolic Diseases with the Section for Gastroenterological Endoscopy (DGVS) and of the German Society for General and Visceral Surgery (DGAV).
The 2021 conference introduced a hybrid format for the first time, with the in-person element regulated under the Leipziger Messe Group safety concept ‘Safe Expo’. The safety protocols for Viszeralmedizin are based on the current Corona Protection Ordinance of the Free State of Saxony. This guidance covers regulations with regard to contact tracing, admission and social distancing, and thorough measures to guarantee hygiene on site.
German Society for General and Visceral Surgery president, Prof. Dr. med. Natascha Nüssler, said: “Finally, we get started again! We can hold such events again with many thousands of participants and on this large scale. We are all incredibly happy that this is becoming possible. And in perfect safety, too.”
Diana Kühne, managing director of the DGVS German Society for Gastroenterology, Digestive and Metabolic Diseases, added that while the pandemic isn’t over yet, it remains important to find a way back to normal life. “This only works with a thorough safety concept. We’ve had this experience during our large congress in Leipzig. With the meeting planner Interplan and the CCL we have found partners with whom we have worked together for a very long time. And this pays off, especially in times of crisis.”
Bruno Lichtinger, managing owner of Interplan AG, the meeting’s professional conference organiser added that after all this time, partners and stakeholder involved in the conference have come back together and ‘smoothly and seamlessly’ created a large meeting without any ‘troubles.’
Lichtinger added: “It’s a wonderful feeling. For us, and just as much for the medical societies who have had the courage to try and organise this.”
Find a video summary of the conference here.
A desire to travel led Holly Patrick to the business meetings and events world and she’s never looked back. Holly takes a particular interest in event sustainability and creating a diverse and inclusive industry. When she’s not working, she can be found rolling skating along Brighton seafront listening to an eclectic playlist, featuring the likes of Patti Smith, Sean Paul, and Arooj Aftab.
