“We wish to sincerely thank the Barcelona Convention Bureau for their indispensable help and support with respect to the organisation of the 34th Annual Congress of the European Association of Urology in the city of Barcelona on 15-19 March 2019.
The support from the Convention Bureau, coordinated in an excellent way by Mrs. Ana Bueno, addressed many local aspects which contributed greatly to the success of the EAU19 congress that was attended by more than 12,000 participants from all over the world.
The City of Barcelona and the efficient congress lay-out in halls 6 and 8 of the Fira Gran Via provided a great setting for EAU19 and was much appreciated by the congress delegates, representatives from the industry and all others involved. Without the contribution of the Barcelona Convention Bureau it would not have been the same experience and we are very grateful for the support and pleasant cooperation during the past years of preparation.
We certainly hope to call upon their help again for future EAU Congresses in Barcelona!
”
Ms. Patricia de Bont
Congress Manager
European Association of Urology
“Working with the Barcelona Convention Bureau was an absolute pleasure. We’ve worked together with BCB before, and during the Covid’19 pandemic and they supported us all along the way. They have a ‘partnership mindset’ and that made a huge difference in a period that was extremely challenging for many organisers. The EAIE was able to come back to a 4-day in-person conference & exhibition with a record breaking attendance of more than 6400. Together with the BCB we were able to create a significant social impact by helping us to provide all our attendees with a public transport card for the duration of the conference. In addition they supported us in creating connections with many important local stakeholders.
”
Mr. Gijs Verbeek | Head of Partnerships
EUROPEAN ASSOCIATION FOR INTERNATIONAL EDUCATION
“Barcelona has a lot to offer for a very successful scientific meeting. The city is a magnet in all seasons with something for everybody. Our experience in the International Society of Paediatric Oncology (SIOP) was excellent, our annual congress had record attendance figures and participant feedback. Barcelona Turisme and the Barcelona Convention Bureau did a wonderful job highlighting what Barcelona has to offer to our attendees and provided an exceptional venue for our Presidential Dinner (the Recinte Modernista at Hospital Sant Pau). Their collaboration was key to the success of our congress and provided a comfortable and easy to navigate venue, in a perfect seafront location with easy access to the city.
”
Mr. GUILLERMO L CHANTADA MD, PhD
SIOP President
“It is with great pleasure that I thank the Barcelona Convention Bureau team for their unfaltering support in the preparation of ESC Congress 2022, which took place in Barcelona from 26–29 August 2022.
This was a special and important edition of the congress for the ESC, as it marked the return of our in-person meeting after two years of being online-only. With excellent infrastructure and a state-of-the-art venue at Fira Gran Via, the city of Barcelona was able to welcome more than 20,000 cardiovascular healthcare professionals from around the world.
Moreover, the support and local knowledge of the Bureau and their many local partners, together with the famed hospitality of the city, contributed greatly towards making it a very successful comeback!”
Ms. EVA SATGÉ
ESC Congress Supervisor
Congress & Event Division
European Society of Cardiology
“Our partnership with the Barcelona Convention Bureau was a master class in how organizations and host cities can team up for good. We worked with BCB in the year leading up to our 6th World Parkinson Congress with a keen focus on our “Make the City Parkinson Ready” legacy program. Their partnership made such an impact in the training, as they helped ensure local leaders knew about and joined in the training program, understanding the impact it would have on the experience of our delegates and how this knowledge would stay in the city allowing staff and front-line workers to better serve future visitors. Parkinson’s disease is a very misunderstood disease, so the anxiety of people with PD who want to travel, and the anxiety of front of house staff who may not know much about PD, can both be addressed through the training. If travelers know the staff in their hotel have been educated on Parkinson’s, it can alleviate their anxiety, and for the police, taxi drivers, and front of house staff, having a deeper knowledge of the disease can help them to better serve their clients and guests. BCB helped drive the message home to all participants, had their own staff go through the training, and continues highlighting this work and the social impact. We lucked out in our partnership but ultimately, it’s the community of people with Parkinson’s who benefit the most.”
Elizabeth Pollard
Executive Director
World Parkinson Coalition
“In 2009, 2016 and 2019 Barcelona proved each time to be the perfect destination for EANM’s annual congress. For 2022, after the Corona break, we were curious to see whether anything had changed. The result: absolutely nothing! Just as seamless, as in previous years, the community appeared with the same strength and once again made the platform of the "Worldleading Meeting in Nuclear Medicine" shine. Our thanks to the entire Barcelona team from the Convention Bureau, to the CCIB team, to security, the hostesses and the cleaning staff. It was a pleasure and we look forward to seeing you again in 3 years.”
Mr. ANDREAS FELSER
Executive Director
European Association of Nuclear Medicine (EANM)
“The ESOT Congress returned to Barcelona after a long period of time. We have received, since the bid proposal, an unprecedent assistance by the CVB. They helped us with many aspects of the organization and facilitated the relations with local suppliers. But it was certainly after the terrorist attack that they demonstrated support and determination. Despite the recent difficulties the City remains very attractive and inviting. ”
Ms. ANNALISA PONCHIA BACCARA
CMP, CMM, ESOT Chief Executive Officer
“‘This was INTA’s first time in Barcelona and it was an excellent location for our Annual Meeting! Accessibility to Barcelona–El Prat Airport from around the world, a high-quality and diverse housing package, great public transportation system, innovative and functional meeting space and exhibition halls at the Fira Barcelona Gran Via along with high-level service and execution, helped to make our city-wide convention a big success. We had terrific support from the CVB and our housing and event partner that helped us achieve our meeting goals. It was a great experience overall!’”
Ms. TRICIA MONTERO
Manager, Education - Program Logistics
INTA (International Trademark Association)
“Barcelona is a very "complete city" with a pleasant climate, history, art, culture, it's easy to get to, and with good public transport ... and what's more, welcoming. When I returned to Barcelona in 2002, after 11 years in the United States and 13 years in Italy, I asked myself how could I have lived away for so long!”
DR. ELENA BARRAQUER
Deputy Medical Director
Barraquer Ophthalmology Centre
“Brand/destination Barcelona is very attractive for several reasons. In Barcelona, in many of the specialties, there is a scientific community located in key places where decisions are made.”
DR. JOSEP MARIA GATELL
Senior Consultant & Head, Infectious Diseases & AIDS Units
Clinical Institute of Medicine & Dermatology
Hospital Clinic
Professor of Medicine, University of Barcelona
Co-Director HIVACAT program
“During the planning and organization of the 49th annual conference of the European Association for the Study of Diabetes (EASD), which took place recently in Barcelona with nearly 18,500 physicians, researchers and professionals working in the field of diabetes, EASD's directors highlighted Barcelona´s tremendous attractiveness in terms of culture and tourism, its "excellent" (in their own words) trade fair facilities, the quality and quantity of city hotels, and the growing importance and international visibility of biomedical research currently being carried out in the Catalan capital. They also applauded the professionalism and reliability of local organizations' commitments to the meeting, especially in terms of unforeseen events.”
PROF. RAMON GOMIS
Chairman of the 49th EASD Annual Meeting
Director of the Institute of Biomedical Research August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS)
“Barcelona is a welcoming city which is respectful of Human Rights and diversity. Holding the Conference “Equality and Security” in the city provided a unique opportunity to raise the profile of women in police organisations, where we are still in the minority, both internationally and locally
Barcelona is proud of its position as an international reference point in the field of equality in security. The aim of our Conference, safely hosted in the Congress Palace, was to reflect these values and give visibility to the role of women in security
Thanks to the efforts of all involved we achieved our goals and the conference proved to be an enriching experience for our delegates, the volunteers and us as organisers.
We, women in policing, are very grateful to Barcelona City Council, Fira de Barcelona, Barcelona Turisme Convention Bureau and local companies involved for their contribution to making the Conference a success.
”
Ms. MONTSERRAT PINA
President of the European Network of Policewomen Conference Director
“I can’t be unbiased because Barcelona is my home town. Working in medical science and technology and telling people about your city is synonymous with being the ideal candidate to host a congress, a really great congress.
We were lucky enough to host the European Congress of Gynaecological Robotic Surgery (SERGS) which met with great success. My satisfaction can only be compared with that of our visitors and delegates… what a great city!”
Mr. JORDI PONCE I SEBASTIA
Vicepresident of European Society of Gynecological Robotic Surgery (SERGS)