Vienna (OTS) –
The annual congress of the European Respiratory Society will take place at the Vienna Exhibition Center between September 7 and 11. With around 18,000 experts, it is the next major international congress in the federal capital. In addition to the exchange of the latest medical findings, the public will be focusing on offers for Viennese people – from free lung function tests to school projects and a charity run.
The European Lung Congress brings together the world’s leading experts in respiratory diseases to discuss the latest advances in respiratory medicine and science. The motto of this year’s congress of the European Respiratory Society (ERS) is: “Humans and machines: getting the balance right”. One of the highlights is the meeting with “Ameca”, the world’s most advanced GenAI robot, which will answer congress participants’ questions about GenAI in healthcare. Back in 2018, the Vienna Convention Bureau in the Vienna Tourist Board and Messe Wien were able to win the major congress for 2020. However, due to the corona pandemic, the in-person event was postponed to 2024.
Norbert Kettner, Managing Director of Vienna Tourist Board
“Human medical congresses such as the European Lung Congress are of great importance for Vienna. They account for the lion’s share of overnight stays generated by congresses, create added value and year-round jobs. Since our successful legacy pilot project last year, the Vienna Convention Bureau in the Vienna Tourist Board has been specifically promoting the networking of international professional associations with the Vienna health and education system. In this way, we are strengthening the health literacy of the population and at the same time expanding the positive influence of the Vienna conference industry beyond the economic aspects.”
Prof. Monika Gappa, President of the European Respiratory Society
“For me, the ERS Congress is the highlight of regular events for respiratory medicine. The latest in science and research is reliably presented here, covering the entire spectrum of respiratory diseases. In addition, the ERS Congress always offers new activities and opportunities for networking. Another important aspect is the activities of the joint ERS-EFL campaign ‘Healthy Lungs for Life’ in Vienna. A series of events and offers accompanying the congress will draw the general public’s attention to and raise awareness of the importance of lung health from a young age to old age. I would like to encourage people to take advantage of the activities and look forward to welcoming the congress participants to Vienna.”
“Healthy Lungs for Life”: Health projects for Viennese people
As part of projects with social impact, so-called “legacy projects”, the European Respiratory Society (ERS) and the European Lung Foundation (ELF) want to raise awareness of lung health and promote early detection and prevention around the ERS Congress. On September 7th and 8th, residents of the city can have free lung function tests carried out by experts between 11 a.m. and 6 p.m. at the entrance to the Prater, in front of the Vienna Giant Ferris Wheel and opposite the U2 “Praterstern” station. On September 9th and 10th, representatives of the two international organizations will visit three Viennese schools to educate students about lung health. On September 10th, a charity run will take place on Prater Hauptallee at 7:30 a.m. – registration costs 25 euros and benefits the legacy campaign “Healthy Lungs for Life”.
Economic importance of international congresses
“Meetings are a central element for Vienna’s visitor economy, as they ensure long-term room occupancy, develop quality tourism, promote added value and create year-round jobs,” says Tourism Director Norbert Kettner. International congresses such as the European Lung Congress with several thousand participants are particularly important economically: with a share of 11% of the total conference volume, they represented over a third (38%) of all participants and more than two thirds (67%) of overnight stays in 2023. In the previous year, more than three quarters (79%) of the added value and tax revenue generated by all meetings were attributable to international congresses.
About the Vienna Convention Bureau
The Vienna Convention Bureau in Vienna Tourism acquires congresses, corporate meetings and incentives worldwide. Founded in 1969, it is supported by the City of Vienna and the Vienna Chamber of Commerce. Vienna as a meeting destination is anchored as a strength in the City of Vienna’s Visitor Economy Strategy 2025 and its Economic and Innovation Strategy 2030. For more information, see: meeting.vienna.info
More information
Questions about the Legacy Campaign “Healthy Lungs for Life”
Irene Maurer, comm:unications – Consulting & Services
irene.maurer@communications.co.at
+ 43 1 315 14 11 48
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