The ICC secures ESID 2020 Congress

The Congress, which is the leading international meeting in this field and brings together the world’s brightest minds in immunodeficiency, will take place at the ICC on 14th to 17th October 2020 and will welcome over 2,500 delegates during the four days. The congress also integrates international Immunology nursing and patient groups (INGID and IPOPI) meetings, making it a truly comprehensive and inclusive immunodeficiency event.

NEC Group Business Development Director, Catherine Newhall-Caiger, who was instrumental in securing the event for the ICC, commented: “We are delighted to be welcoming ESID to the ICC and the city of Birmingham for their Congress in 2020. It will be the first time in 30 years that this Congress has taken place in the UK and we expect a significant number of delegates at this conference will also mark the 50th anniversary of Immunodeficiency in the UK National Health Service and ESID’s 19th biennial meeting.”

Ian Taylor, Venue Sales Director - NEC Group Conventions and Exhibitions, added: “I have no doubt that we will be able to help make this conference a resounding success. At the ICC, we work in partnership with our clients as part of their team to advise and consult and we encourage them to use our in-house expertise and knowledge to make sure they get the best out of their event.

 “The venue is in a fantastic location, right in the heart of the UK with excellent transport links by air, rail and road, meaning international delegates can get to us with ease.”

The ICC participated in a thorough bidding process from ESID to ensure the venue would be the right choice, which culminated in individual members voting throughout a four-week period. Birmingham was the clear choice with 38% of the vote from 692 participants.

Dr. Aarn Huissoon, Consultant Immunologist based at Birmingham Heartlands Hospital, led the bid on behalf of the Local UK Organising Committee. He said: “The UK has a long history of immunology innovation and Birmingham has played a large part in this, so I am proud to bring ESID 2020 to our wonderful city. Working with the ICC to bring the Congress here has been a pleasure as they are completely invested in making the event a success.

“Birmingham has undergone huge transformation recently with more exciting developments over the next few years. With the ICC in the heart of this thriving city, it is ideal for delegates to take advantage of a huge range of accommodation, restaurants, cultural activities and shopping all within a few minutes’ walk. I believe my colleagues from around the world will enjoy their time here, and even our UK colleagues will be pleasantly surprised.”

The Congress will also have a great economic impact on the city with the international delegates residing in Birmingham for four days. Emma Gray, Director of Marketing and Communications for Meet Birmingham, said: “ESID’s decision to stage its 2020 Congress in Birmingham is a further boost in our efforts to attract and retain significant national and international medical events, and part of our strategy to secure more conferences aligned to the sectors we are targeting for investment.”

 “Greater Birmingham is thriving as a centre of excellence for life sciences, with more medical technology companies than any other UK region and nearly 10,000 jobs supported, generating an annual turnover of £1.2 billion. “

“Working with the ICC and our hotels, we look forward to welcoming ESID delegates to Birmingham and hope they enjoy exploring our friendly and welcoming city.”