How our design approach fuels scientific progress

Dedicated. Experienced. Aiming beyond. That is what characterises Congress by design. A full-service PCO with international experience that always goes the extra mile to make a congress perfectly fitting and distinctive. We combine strategy with a healthy dose of common sense and reliable project management, because at the end of the day it simply has to be done right. Congress by design feels at home in the world of medical and scientific associations but moves just as easily in a corporate or government environment. 

“With over 20 years of experience and more than 500 national and international congresses in our portfolio, we are a reliable PCO that is committed to working for and with our clients, with a keen eye for detail”, explains Operations Director Maureen de Graauw. “We work mainly for scientific associations, corporates and governments and often have long-term partnerships with our clients. For example, we are the core PCO for the European Society for Vascular Surgery (ESVS), organising their annual meeting in 2023, 2024 and 2025. We have a great affinity with medical, agricultural, and knowledge-intensive subjects and with our office in the heart of Holland, we connect seamlessly to a variety of national and international networks and topics. We are IAPCO-certified, and we understand the importance of compliance and accreditation.” 

From bid to budget

“The bid is an essential first step of hosting a conference. We act as the liaison between the international association, professional local community, host city and venue”, says De Graauw. “With all parties engaged, we will work towards winning the bid to host your next conference in The Netherlands or abroad. Organising academic and scientific meetings with complex programs is our second nature. We support the scientific committee with the abstract management, review and selection process, guidelines and we provide all necessary technical support. Also, we take a strong stand when it comes to financial transparency. We carefully monitor budgets and continuously communicate to ensure financial success.”

Connecting people, sharing knowledge

“We believe a congress is never a goal in itself, but a way to connect people and contribute to scientific progress and a healthier and safer world”, continues De Graauw. “There are many factors that influence success: a live or hybrid set-up, the characteristics of the target group, roles and responsibilities, and the strategic goals of the organising committee. Good meeting design starts with clarity and alignment on all aspects. Because a congress only has a real impact when goals, content and experience are aligned. We have developed a Meeting Design Tool to view congresses through a new lens. A PhD student's needs are different from a seasoned professor nearing retirement. While content remains paramount, today's generation of scientists seeks interaction, variety, and the ability to curate their own experience.”

Sustainable standard

“Our long-term vision also considers the ecological and social impact of conferences. Sustainable growth is our standard, not only in words, but above all in deeds. By 2030 we aim to organise all our congresses 100% climate neutral. To help our clients minimise the ecological impact of a conference, we have developed a sustainability checklist. Together, we explore a variety of choices about the venue, partners and suppliers, catering range, inclusiveness, and waste disposal. We like to emphasise that this is never a black or white discussion. Every step towards sustainability is a step in the right direction. If anything is true for what we do, is that we like to open doors to meaningful conversations.”