IPCAA NEWSLETTER

At the most recent meeting of the Healthcare Congress Alliance, its three constituent parties - HCEA, IAPCO and IPCAA discussed actions to drive forward a number of topics seen as of importance to the medical meetings industry.

1. Reaching out to medical societies

It was felt it is of importance to all 3 organisations to reinforce interactions with medical societies in terms of congress-related issues. With rather significant changes having taken place in the recent past, HCA members feel it vital to engage more deeply with those responsible for major congresses, in order to ensure that optimum communication on current challenges and constraints – regulatory, financial etc., takes place.

2. Feedback on congress values

More research and better measurement methodologies and procedures are needed, to enable more professional and accurate assessment of the effectiveness created and value provided at congresses and exhibits. HCEA has undertaken some interesting initial research on this topic via a focus group survey in the US, but additional activity seems to be indicated.

As change takes place throughout the healthcare industry, the use of congresses and exhibits as a valid communication tool can sometimes be called into question. HCA will consider preparation of a paper on the value of healthcare congresses as an essential face to face part of overall marketing and communications programmes.

3. Congress accommodation issues

Compliance and other issues are combining to exert pressure on areas of congress accommodation organisation. Price limits on overnight stays for congress delegates resulting from industry application of regulatory code constraints is only one aspect. Contractual issues and conditions also need careful analysis and review and the recently introduced IPCAA Housing Forum initiative is being carefully observed by the other two HCA partners. Part of the proposed closer interaction with medical societies will be aimed at exactly this sensitive but important point.

HCA will consider using feedback from such events, to produce a “Best Practice” checklist for accommodation management at healthcare meetings. The goal would be to set the basis for improved communication between housing agencies and the pharmaceutical industry by identifying and meeting relevant needs in a satisfactory manner from the first stage of interactions.

4. HCA Website

The partners have concluded that there is much information which can be shared with third parties via the HCA website. Consequently, each of the three organisations will cooperate in providing and updating content. Consideration will also be given to redevelopment of the site. Links from the member organisations' websites to HCA will also be incorporated.