The European Society of Endodontology (ESE) Congress, held in Helsinki, Finland from September 6th to 9th, 2023, marked its fifth edition under the careful organisation of AIM Group International, Portugal Office.
As one of the premier events in the field of endodontology, the ESE Congress not only aimed to surpass the numbers of its previous edition but also placed a significant emphasis on corporate social responsibility (CSR) and sustainability initiatives.
AIM Group International had a long-standing partnership with ESE, dating back to 2013. This trust and collaboration facilitated the smooth planning and execution of the event, which was the fifth edition managed by AIM Group.
The 2023 ESE Congress adopted a hybrid approach, combining in-person and virtual elements. The event design also featured pre-congress courses, satellite workshops organized by industry partners, and various interactive sessions to cater to diverse learning preferences.
Making it more sustainable
One of the standout features of the 2023 ESE Congress was its commitment to sustainability. The ESE Congress joined the IAPCO (International Association of Professional Congress Organisers) pledge against single-use plastic, promoting sustainable practices not only within the event but involving also the venue (Helsinki Expo & Convention Centre, Messukeskus) and the Helsinki Convention and Visitors Bureau. It is a real, concrete example on how different event stakeholders can collaborate on long-term to improve sustainability as a standard practice.
The organizers took several actions to limit the event’s environmental impact, including:
- Providing the final program in digital format.
- Using badges without plastic holders and offering on-site badge printing.
- Reusing signage structures and using cotton participant bags.
- Installing water dispensers and providing reusable ESE bottles to all delegates.
- Encouraging speakers to use public transportation, with free public transportation provided.
- Designating at least one vegetarian day for catering.
- Opting for sandwich lunches in buffet stations to reduce plastic waste.
- Donating leftover food to homeless people in a nearby facility.
Additionally, the congress partnered with Spesia School, an institution for children with special educational needs, who actively supported the event by providing directions to participants at the train station, handling food leftovers, and offering touristic information.
Holistic results
The communication plan for the congress, managed by AIM Group for the 4th consecutive year, included a comprehensive social media campaign, as well as video marketing leading up to the event, contributed to the success of the event.
The 2023 ESE Congress achieved remarkable results, with 1700 participants, surpassing the numbers from the 2022 edition. The event featured 45 sponsors and exhibitors, significantly higher than the previous year, with almost 600 square meters of net space sold for exhibitions.
Feedback from ESE was excellent, and participants onsite expressed high satisfaction with the scientific content, venue, and logistical arrangements.
