Why are in-person interaction and scientific collaboration important?

We have hugely valued the unique educational experiences that conferences have offered us over the years during our professional lives. From when we were students until we became experienced professionals, many of our best memories are related to the conferences we have attended with friends and colleagues from all over the world. We all remember exciting moments we have enjoyed, either when attending a groundbreaking presentation or sharing a relaxed evening with colleagues, in a fascinating city, after a conference day of intense training. Nothing will ever replace the beauty and the joy of face-to-face human interaction and scientific collaboration.

What do you expect the situation will be like this December?

We are optimistic that we will overcome the current challenges by this summer so that we will resume travelling and meeting in-person. Now more than ever, we need to meet and collaborate as a community, transforming this crisis into a new opportunity by discussing our collective local and national experiences and challenges in fighting the COVID-19 pandemic, especially concerning our patients. 

Since you will organise the meeting in Amsterdam, why are you also offering online attendance?

We have hugely valued the unique educational experiences that conferences have offered us over the years during our professional lives. From when we were students until we became experienced professionals, many of our best memories are related to the conferences we have attended with friends and colleagues from all over the world. We all remember exciting moments we have enjoyed, either when attending a groundbreaking presentation or sharing a relaxed evening with colleagues, in a fascinating city, after a conference day of intense training. Nothing will ever replace the beauty and the joy of face-to-face human interaction and scientific collaboration.

• In the past, a delegate would have been able to be present in one hall at each given time (getting about 20 hours of education from the whole conference) even if we had 6 halls in total with sessions taking place in parallel. While now with all sessions being broadcasted and then recorded any attendee will have access to attend all sessions; either in-person in the hall or online by watching the recorded videos. In that way, each attendee will receive 100 hours of education compared to the previously available 20 hours. It is 5 times more content for the same amount of paid-for registration.

• The high number of abstract presentations has taught us that the option to present virtually helps young investigators and residents present their work even from the most remote areas of the world without the burden of travel costs that bars them from participation. It is now evident that online conferences have opened new horizons to young scientists to present their work and interact with their colleagues from across the world. Hence we are determined to keep this window open in the future so that no one will miss the opportunity to present his work.  

• We also understand that a number of our colleagues might not be able to attend this year because they may not feel comfortable travelling, or because they are much needed in their clinics and facilities. For all those, we think we should offer them the best possible online educational experience and ensure that they will still be able to get the most out of the 13th Excellence in Pediatrics Conference through the screen of their laptop.

What will be the differences in the experience offered between the in-person and online attendance?

EIP delivered a state-of-the-art virtual conference last year. We have the technology and the expertise to deliver online most of the EIP meeting experience. Even if in-person interaction in the social and networking events will not be the same for virtual attendees, we are sure that many of the additional benefits they will get will compensate them. 

We will unify the in-person and the online audiences as if they were all attending from one place, projecting virtual Presentations in the halls while we will broadcast in-hall presentations online. Both audiences will interact with the speakers asking questions and participating in polls in the same manner. Collaborative networking events will be open for online attendees to join virtually.