Viszeralmedizin in-person event gives wings to Leipzig

Viszeralmedizin, 16-18 September, was the first large conference to take place after the pandemic at the Congress Center Leipzig (CCL) in Germany. This meeting attracted more than 4,000 visitors and around 100 exhibitors, creating an example of how complex in-person meetings can be held during the backend of the pandemic. The congress combines the annual meetings of the German Society for Gastroenterology, Digestive and Metabolic Diseases with the Section for Gastroenterological Endoscopy (DGVS) and of the German Society for General and Visceral Surgery (DGAV). For the first time the event combined virtual and face-to-face formats. Being a venue of the Leipziger Messe Group, the CCL uses the health and safety concept ‘Safe Expo’. It is based on the currently valid Corona Protection Ordinance of Saxony, and it covers regulations with regard to contact tracing, admission and social distancing, and thorough measures to guarantee hygiene on site. Petra Köpping, state minister for social affairs and social cohesion in the German state of Saxony, said: “I am extraordinarily happy because it is really important that people can communicate directly again. We owe this experience also to the entire population and their willingness to cooperate. They respect the regulations, and they get their vaccines.” Diana Kühne, managing director of DGVS, added: “The pandemic isn’t over yet, as we all know. Yet, it is now more important to find a way back to normal life. This only works with a thorough safety concept. We’ve had this experience during our large congress in Leipzig.” CCL hosts around 100 congresses and programmes every year, with its flexible room concept which includes 23 halls. To learn more about this congress, please click here for a video summary of the event. Photo courtesy: Leipziger Messe / Christian Modla