16th European symposium on pediatric cochlear implantation

Lesley van Lierop Jun 7, 2023 8:23:16 PM

Together with the Cochlear Implant centers of the Radboudumc Amalia Children’s Hospital in Nijmegen and Erasmus MC Sophia Children’s Hospital in Rotterdam, we organized the 16th European Symposium on Pediatric Cochlear Implantation to Rotterdam from May 31st till June 3rd 2023.

Pediatric cochlear implantation

Cochlear implants are an increasingly common option for managing hearing loss.
The Radboud UMC and Erasmus MC both have a track record on state of the art CI research, covering noise reduction algorithms, bimodal hearing, diagnostics of sensorineural hearing loss, surgical aspects and expanding CI criteria. The proposed collaboration between the two university centers offers great understanding of current issues in implantation, future challenges, and the major areas of research in this field.

Registration area at De Doelen, Rotterdam

Plenary programme at De Doelen, Rotterdam

Congress dinner at Laurenskerk Rotterdam; one of Rotterdam’s most iconic and historical landmarks.

The dome; pop up meeting room at De Doelen, Rotterdam

Welcome to Rotterdam

Over 1400 participants were registered. All participants received a participation ticket with QR-code by email. Upon arrival they got their badge and public transport card by scanning the QR-code.
Invited speakers were welcome to upload their presentation in the speaker ready room; a comfortable room were they had the opportunity to make changes to their presentation of relax before the start of their contribution.

More than 350 abstracts were accepted for either oral- or poster presentation. Poster presentations were organized electronically and accessible throughout all congress days.

Programme

A mobile app was created to give the participants access to the scientific programme and posters. Through the app they had the possibility to contact other participants.
The ESPCI symposium was centered around 5 major themes:
Hearing and the developing Brain, Novel implants, therapies and fitting, Growing up with CI, Sustainable and green and clinical sessions. Each theme covers various topics; find out the structure of the programma on ww.espci2023.org.

Network event

On June 2, the participants were invited to attend the Network event in Laurenskerk Rotterdam. The Laurenskerk is one of Rotterdam’s most iconic and historical landmarks. With its impressive Gothic architecture and rich history dating back to the 15th century, the Laurenskerk provided a stunning backdrop for the network event. A culinary evening with delicious (vegetarian - green) food and a line up of entertainment which made it an unforgettable evening.

Super HEARoes – impact

To raise more awareness for pediatric patients a SuperHEARoes exhibition was created across the road from the central station to the venue. The exhibition was opened on May 30 and many children with cochlear implants came to enjoy their photos. The exhibition was featured in newspapers and on the children’s evening news broadcast.
Zonder titel (1920 x 100 px) (1920 x 1000 px)

Zonder titel (1920 x 100 px) (1920 x 1000 px)

Sustainability

For the organizing committee, sustainably was one of their main priorities. EUR 10 of each participant’s registration fee was contributed to a project to expand green areas in the city of Rotterdam. (greening of city playgrounds including an elementary school) As so many participants were traveling by air, they decided to do something back:
- Raise awareness on green and sustainable healthcare throughout the entire conference by emphasising personal efforts
- Promotion of public transportation. Participant could make use of an Eurostar discount offer!
- Free use of public transportation with the Rotterdam Welcome Card
- CO2 compensation through tree planting
- Locally sourced catering – only vegetarian food
- Two inspiring green key-note speakers
- Multiple sessions on sustainable and green healthcare

Green decoration in all meeting rooms!

Entrance Congress Dinner at Laurenskerk Rotterdam

Parallel session at De Doelen, Rotterdam

Plenary session at De Doelen Rotterdam

Our role

Congress Care was responsible for the full logistic organization; financial planning, registration of all delegates, marketing and promotion (https://www.espci2023.org/) , abstract management, exhibition management and on-site management. All in close cooperation with the organizing committee.

Plans to organize your international meeting over two/three years? Contact us to check out what we can mean for each other!

Congress Care is IAPCO accredited; https://blog.congresscare.com/en/important-facts-about-an-iapco-accredited-pco; a reassurance that your meeting is in good hands.