emotive achieves international reach at scientific congresses

International congresses provide medical societies with a premier platform to showcase the latest research, insights and developments in their field whilst offering excellent networking opportunities for healthcare professionals to foster knowledge exchange within their therapeutic area.

At emotive, we have worked with medical society clients in a variety of areas, including neurology, gastroenterology, dermatology, hepatology and paediatrics, demonstrating an in-depth understanding of how to raise the profile, quality and awareness of these meetings through the power of communication.

We understand the scientific congress world

From promoting new research to achieving global media coverage and increasing the number of abstract submissions and registrations at a congress, we have supported medical societies on a range of congress communication activities.

In 2021, our congress-related work with medical societies includes:

• Pre-congress promotion, including video ‘teasers’, webinars, advertorials and congress website development
• Press-related activity, including press releases, global media outreach and the management of on-site/virtual press centres and briefings
• Scientific reporting, including congress reports, live social reporting and daily recaps or newsletters
• On-site promotion, such as the development of exhibition areas and production of plenary and opening ceremony videos

Greatly contributed to the success of the event, enhancing the visibility of the meeting and of ESPGHAN to the world." – European Society for Paediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition Executive Committee

Utilising research to influence international policy

We are incredibly proud of our congress achievements, including our work within press and media relations to deliver and inspire change. During a congress for United European Gastroenterology (UEG), we unearthed a novel piece of research that revealed the first evidence of microplastics in humans and developed a topical public and political news story that coincided with an EU Parliament debate on single-use plastics.

A record-breaking 120 journalists attended the congress and there were more than 800 media editorials on the day the research was presented, including splashes in The New York Times, National Geographic and The Guardian.

The next day, news broke that MEPs had overwhelmingly voted to ban single-use plastics in the EU, resulting in a new wave of coverage that highlighted how opportune the research was in influencing the vote.

As well as influencing a crucial international parliamentary vote, this research is now used in many parliamentary documents, press releases and statements, putting UEG firmly on the map as a leading authority in digestive health.

Adapting to a new landscape and the future of congresses

The traditional congress world, where tens of thousands of healthcare professionals come together and meet in person, was turned upside down in 2020 with the outbreak of COVID-19. Organisers were forced to turn their congress into a digital format, offering virtual experiences for delegates who were able to contribute from their own home or workplace.

At emotive, we were able to adapt quickly, transforming our press and communications plans in alignment with this remodelled congress approach. When supporting the European Academy of Neurology at their 2020 congress in May, where the decision to implement the digital format was taken just 6 weeks before the congress started, we reshaped our plans to deliver an entirely online service, including a virtual press briefing and press office. Despite the changing circumstances, media results exceeded that of the previous year, with coverage achieved in over 30 countries and a huge increase in social media participation and engagement.

Throughout the remainder of 2020, we supported a number of other digital medical society events, including UEG Week, The International Liver Congress (for the European Society for the Study of the Liver) and ESOT TLJ 2.0 (for the European Society for Organ Transplantation), with our medical society portfolio growing further in 2021.

emotive is an award-winning, global healthcare communications agency. We inspire change that has a positive impact on people’s health through our medical, scientific, brand, patient, PR and advocacy services. If you would like to find out more about joining emotive, please contact  jade.nuttman@emotiveagency.com. For more information on our services, contact  chat@emotiveagency.com.