London is gearing up for a raft of association events and congresses planned in the run up to the 2012 Olympics and beyond.
In November, The United European Gastroenterology Federation and the World Gastroenterology Organisation, together with the World Organisation of Digestive Endoscopy and the British Society of Gastroenterology, are bringing the world's largest medical conference to the UK capital - GASTRO 2009 - 13,000 delegates at ExCeL London.
The pulling power of London just cannot be over-emphasised. Putting the bid together was a major exercise but it was made possible by the support Visit London gave us. Frankly, without them, we would not have won; they helped us put together a very professional submission - they're a big asset to London.
- Andrew Ketteringham, Director of External Affairs, Alzheimer's Society2011 is popular for medical congresses - the European League Against Rheumatism (EULAR) will hold its annual congress at ExCeL London from 25-28 May. The Docklands venue worked with the British Society for Rheumatology, the EULAR steering committee, conference organiser MCI and Visit London to secure the 4-day event. It will bring around 8,500 delegates from across Europe. The European Haematology Association (EHA) will also bring 6,500 delegates to ExCeL London in June.
Winning the 2012 bid to host the Olympics has undoubtedly been a hook to attract more association events to London. From 27 January to 1 February 2012, 700 concierges from more than 40 nations, will descend on London for The International Congress of The UICH (L'Union Internationale des Concierges d'Hotels). During the five-day congress, the concierges will visit the Olympic Village and participate in a series of seminars and workshops held at London's Park Lane properties. A variety of functions and entertainment will be planned for each evening, culminating in a grand finale gala dinner for 1,500 guests, held in the Great Room of The Grosvenor House hotel.
The Third World Congress of Cultural Psychiatry will take place at the Barbican from 8-11 March 2012. It will be organised by international mental health charity Careif, in partnership with Visit London and Barbican. "This event will immediately precede the Olympic Games in London and will contribute to the celebration of the richness of the cultural diversity in the City of London, which includes cultures from all over the world," said Professor Kamaldeep Bhui, President of 2012 World Congress of Cultural Psychiatry.
Also in March 2012, some 2,000 delegates are expected in London for the Alzheimer's Disease International Conference.
And in May 2012, the Church House Conference Centre is hosting the International Association of Women Judges (IAWJ) and around 800 delegates. Talking about the help received whilst putting the bid together, the Right Honourable Baroness Hale of Richmond DBE, President of the UK Association of Women’s Judges and President Elect of IAWJ, said: "The bid process would have been impossible for us without the help and support of Visit London and TFI Meeting Point. Without them, we simply would not have known where to start. The IAWJ Council were immensely impressed with the quality and content of the bid document we presented."
Finally, following London's 2012 Olympic Games and Paralympic Games celebrations, Hilton London Metropole has confirmed it will be the host venue for the ICA's scientific research conference in June 2013.
