WONCA and the Dublin conference factory confirmed for 2024

The World Organisation of Family Doctors (WONCA) congress will be held at The Convention Centre Dublin (The CCD) in September 2024. The congress is expected to welcome over 2,500 delegates from the fields of general practice, generating over €4m towards the local economy. The theme of WONCA 2024 is ‘The Changing Nature of Family Medicine – Cultivating the Future’. Off-site visits to GP practices and health centres will be arranged for delegates, in addition to an area within The CCD dedicated to informing delegates about general practice in Ireland. The bid was prepared by the Irish College of General Practitioners (ICGP), in conjunction with The CCD and Fáilte Ireland and was submitted to the WONCA board in February 2020. The decision on the selected host city was delayed due to Covid-19, with Dublin announced in October 2021. Adrienne Clarke, head of conference sales at The CCD, said: “We are thrilled to confirm events for future years and are looking forward to welcoming WONCA to The CCD. As a Gold accredited Healthy Venue and with sustainability as one of our core foundations, we are excited to support WONCA with their vision to host a green event”. Dr Claire Collins, director of research & innovation and director of people & culture, ICGP added: “The ICGP is honoured to be hosting this prestigious gathering in Dublin. We are confident in hosting our European colleagues, our Irish GP members and our sponsors in Dublin and will offer WONCA Europe delegates the opportunity to be academically inspired and to strengthen networks while enjoying good company and experiencing our hospitality, as the ICGP also celebrates our 40th anniversary during the conference”. Frances Kinsella, association conferences at Dublin Convention Bureau in Fáilte Ireland, commented: “The social programme will offer delegates and companions the opportunity to experience the atmosphere and hospitality for which Ireland is famous worldwide. For a relatively small island, Ireland offers a huge variety of entertainment, history and culture. Such conference programmes contribute to a wide economic impact across our economy.”