IPCAA NEWSLETTER

The programme for the ECM Summer School this year was an example of green event organisation not only on a theoretical level but also practically speaking, as it demonstrated the possibilities involved in hosting a green event.

Held from 29th August to 2nd September in Bolzano Italy, the 23rd summer school offered by the European Cities Marketing organisation attracted delegates from all over Europe with 18 countries represented in all.

The city of Bolzano and especially the host venue – the EURAC convention centre - focus their work on the domain of sustainable meetings and environmentally sustainable venues.

Among the simple, eco-friendly actions adopted catering was based only on fresh, local produce, hotels banned the use of individual packaging, and bed linen was changed by request only. In terms of infrastructure, the convention centre building uses solar energy in its cooling and heating system, waste is sorted on-site, the centre operates its own internal sustainability policy, and the venue selected for the Course Dinner uses geothermal energy for cooling. Last but not least, the city also provided complimentary bicycles for Summer School students to travel around the city centre's many dedicated bike paths.

IPCAA was represented on the faculty by Keith Spencer, Executive Director, who said, “it was once again very clear that much more understanding and awareness of pharmaceutical industry regulatory aspects needs to be created – knowing of constraints and restrictions applicable to medical congresses and similar events would help improve efficiencies throughout the meetings industry.”