Joint EFORT bid lands congresses for Vienna and Barcelona

EUROPE – The European Federation of National Associations of Orthopaedics and Traumatology (EFORT) has selected Vienna for its annual congress in 2017 and 2020, and Barcelona for 2018 and 2021. The decision follows a joint bid and promotion by the two cities. The cities to host the 2019 and 2022 congresses are yet to be announced. Organisers Dr Manuel Cassiano Neves and Dr Per Kjaersgaard-Andersen, president and secretary-general respectively, said the choice reflected the wish of the EFORT Leadership to streamline the endeavours for a consolidated congress approach. The EFORT congress in Vienna will take place from 31 May to 2 June, 2017 at the Messe Wien Congress and Exhibition Center. In Barcelona the venue will be hosted at the Fira Gran Via. Christoph Tessmar, director of Barcelona Convention Bureau, said: “We started this project back in 2012 and we are proud that the choice to bring the EFORT Annual Congress to our city can contribute to some of the strategic goals of the organisation.” EFORT congresses last three days and attract 8,000 participants for the scientific sessions, educational meetings and training courses. It is expected that the congress generates 40,000 overnights. Vienna Convention Bureau director Christian Mutschlechner, Director added: “The whole process was not only built on the confidence between the EFORT Leadership and our two destinations, but we also developed a very strong partner-and friendship with the EFORT Head Office team. Together we are now striving to deliver outstanding services to the EFORT Annual Congresses in our two destinations.”