Medical congress in Ghent with a unique location.

The Challenges

A customer arrives unannounced at our office, asking whether we would help in the organisation of a medical conference. She has the knowledge and contacts in the world of De Stem, and we have the experience, capability and expertise in organising conferences. So, looking ahead to Ghent, where it is all to take place, this seems to be a complementary arrangement. The venue search takes us along the standard requirements for hosting the event, but we don’t leave it at that. We widen our recce to take in an unconventional location. And it soon becomes clear. We are pleased to go the extra mile and make the KASK (the old Bijloke) suitable for hosting the conference. In the end, the charm of the location, together with the apposite history, make the choice easy.

Making it happen!

With 35% more participants than expected, it is a logistical challenge. But with our online and on-site registrations, and the help of our own PEVoC app, we deliver a smooth performance. We manage to fit around 190 workshops, round tables, keynote lectures and free papers into the 3-day programme. This enables us to offer each of the wide range of participants (including ENT surgeons, speech therapists, performers, doctors, singing coaches, etc.) a suitable portfolio. Naturally, we also give the posters their rightful place within the whole.

Bearing in mind that the voice, too, needs its relaxation, we provide some evening entertainment and good food. Here again we choose for authentic aspects, so that the conference can be seen as an all-round experience. The boats of Ghent bring the guests in a relaxed mood to the gala dinner, where the Stroppendragers (a guild of the citizens of Ghent) are also in attendance. The yodel session, too, is enjoyed by everyone. A successful evening, seeing the many positive reactions we have received.

The subsequent compliments that this was the best organised PEVoC conference ever was the icing on the cake.

Will you be the next one to jump on our tandem?