Between 25 and 29 August 2018, the congress of the renowned European Society of Cardiology (ESC) was once again hosted in Munich. Around 30,000 cardiac specialists from all over the world were expected in 2018.
This is the fourth time the key scientific event for cardiologists globally will be taking place in Munich, having also been host in 2004, 2008 and 2012. The ESC Congress 2018 will also include a public event. Featuring talks and presentations on the topic of cardiovascular health, this event will take place in Odeonsplatz square in the city centre, on the first day of the congress (Saturday, 25 August 2018).
The Head of the Department of Labour and Economic Development, Mayor Josef Schmid, considers it a significant sign of success that the ESC organisers continue to place so much confidence in the city: “There are good reasons for the team in charge to opt for Munich – as a city of knowledge which is also home to some world-class heart surgeons, it offers the ideal setting for the ESC. Messe München is an outstanding venue, and the city embraces another opportunity to prove itself as an accomplished and experienced host. Locals in Munich will benefit from the special new element of the event, which will raise the profile of the congress as well as its topic, cardiovascular health.”
Dr Reinhard Pfeiffer, Deputy CEO of Messe München, also emphasises Munich’s capability as a conference hub: “The European Society of Cardiology’s decision to come back to Munich confirms that the city is perfectly equipped to host events of this magnitude. The congress organisers and visitors alike will find Munich has everything required for an exciting and successful stay. Munich is yet again demonstrating why it is known as one of the key conference destinations in Europe.”
Munich’s application to host ESC Congress 2018 was promising from a very early stage: the moment the ESC Congress 2012 was concluded, the organisers made it clear that they intended to return to the city as soon as possible. The European Society of Cardiology was particularly struck by the “expertise, experience and top-class convention and exhibition spaces, as well as Munich’s capacity for welcoming congress visitors with open arms”.
As soon as July 2018, rickshaws with ESC Congress 2018 and City of Munich co-branding will appear on the streets, creating public awareness of the cardiology event around the city. ESC branding will also be displayed at the airport throughout the course of the major event, while welcome flags in the city centre, trade fair grounds and major conference hotels will be visible from far and wide. The aim of these measures and other city marketing activities is to build an image for the event. The goal is to establish Munich as a leading destination for trade fairs and congresses, and a host venue for major international gatherings; a place where events blend successfully into city life.
The ESC Congress is an annual event hosted in cities on a roving basis. It is both a trade fair and social experience, where scientists and doctors present the latest trends and developments in experimental and clinical cardiology. The ESC Congress 2018 will take over the whole of the ICM (International Congress Center Munich) and several trade fair halls. Major conventions like the ESC Congress facilitate a huge inflow of purchasing power to Munich and its surrounding region. As the most recent study by Munich’s Ifo Institut für Wirtschaftsforschung (Ifo Institute for Economic Research) shows, convention participants represent a special economic factor in a region. On average, they spend more than twice as much on their travel, accommodation and stay in Munich than an average trade fair visitor.
Teams from Messe München and the City of Munich’s Convention Bureau worked together on the application to make sure they won out over several international competitors.
