ESC Congress

Description

• The ESC Congress is an international meeting and one of the leading events in cardiology
• The ESC Congress is officially the largest medical meeting in Europe
• The ESC Congress is held annually in late August / early September
• The ESC Congress makes every effort to move to a different European / ESC member city each year, but is restricted to locations offering sufficient hotel capacity, an adequately large Congress centre and exhibition hall, as well as a major international airport
• The ESC Congress attendees span all areas of the cardiology arena including: cardiology professionals, industry representatives and press reporters for both the medical and consumer press  

History

• The ESC was founded in 1950 by representatives from 14 National Societies (Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Greece, Italy, The Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom and Yugoslavia)
• The first General Assembly of the ESC was held during the World Congress in Paris, 1950
• The ESC Congress was then held every four years, organised each time by a different National Society, from 1950 to 1988
• Since 1988, the ESC Congress has been an annual event

Past Congress Figures

Congress Programme & Proceedings

• Hot Line Sessions
  New scientific data and study results
• Clinical Trial Update Sessions
  Latest data on recent clinical trials
• Basic Science Track
  A series of sessions focusing on basic science related to cardiovascular disease. Renowned scientists review a wealth of areas related to the physiology and pathophysiology of the cardiovascular system
• Focus Cardiology Practice Sessions
  Interactive sessions held by experienced clinicians, focusing on patient-oriented clinical decision-making
• Focus Imaging Intervention Sessions
  Interactive and live sessions addressing common problems on new developments in catheter-based and surgical interventions as well as non-invasive diagnosis procedures
• Main Sessions
  Major presentations by experts in their field reviewing topics related to current basic and clinical cardiovascular research and epidemiology and clinical cardiology as a perspective for daily clinical practice
• Symposia
  Organised with the ESC Working Groups to provide an overview of ongoing research in specific fields of competence, including Debates, Joint sessions with other leading organisations and Invited Lectures by renowned specialists
• Abstract Presentations
  More than 2,000 scientific abstracts presented across the 5 days of the Congress representing the latest research by investigators worldwide. Leading abstracts are selected for one of the five Featured Research Sessions, or put forward for one of the six Moderated Poster Sessions. Three investigators younger than 35 years old are awarded the Young Investigators’ Award and present their work in the one of three award sessions
• Extensive exhibition area
  Stands mounted by companies from all over the world display cardiology-related products and Services. including a separate exhibition area dedicated to biotech and innovative devices, sofware, equipment and services (ETSA).
• Satellite Symposia
  Organised by the industries as part of the congress programme, reflecting the important cooperation between clinicians, researchers and the pharmaceutical / technical industries
• Industry Workshops
  Sessions organised by Industry addressing current practice and usage of new medical devices and equipment
• Press Centre
  For accredited journalists only. Full press working facilities and activities including press conferences, press releases and services for press including the facilitation of interviews with key-note speakers
• Industry Press Rooms
  Enabling companies to communicate with the press on-site via press displays and press conferences
• Social Events
  Including the Opening Ceremony, the Concert and the Gala at the end of the Congress. Participants may also avail of excursions to local tourist attractions and places of special interest

Congress Resources

• ESC Web Site
  Full information on all Congress proceedings is available and continually updated on the ESC Web Site.
• ESC Congress News
  The official daily newspaper of the ESC Congress published during the Congress and available to attendees free of charge. Highlights major news and events relating to the Congress proceedings
• ESC Congress Information Centre (CIC)
  On-site information points listing attendee list, exhibition guide, floor plans, city information and a scheduling resource entitled the Personal Programme Planner
• Personal Digital Assistant (PDA) downloads
  Full and personalised congress information to be downloaded onto handheld computers. Includes Preliminary, Advance and Final Programmes, available via the ESC website and downloadable on-site at the CICs

CME Accreditation

• The ESC Congress 2007 will be reviewed for accreditation by the European Board for Accreditation in Cardiology (EBAC). The accreditation results will be announced in the coming months. EBAC works in cooperation with the European Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (UEMS).
• The scientific programme of the ESC Congress 2007 also will be reviewed by the American Medical Association (AMA).

ESC Congress Hosts, 1988-2008

1988: Vienna	1994: Berlin*	2000: Amsterdam	2006: Barcelona*
1989: Nice	1995: Amsterdam	2001: Stockholm	2007: Vienna
1990: Stockholm	1996: Birmingham	2002: Berlin	2008: Munich
1991: Amsterdam	1997: Stockholm	2003: Vienna
1992: Barcelona	1998: Vienna	2004: Munich
1993: Nice	1999: Barcelona	2005: Stockholm

* Held jointly with the World Congress of Cardiology