Project:
European Emergency Medical Services Congress 2018
Context
European Emergency Medical Services Congress, EMS2018, was the third installment of the very popular Congress, and Crone & Co was the official PCO. In the spring of 2018 researchers, health-care professionals and managers in the area of emergency medical services and pre-hospital care once again came together for a 3-day congress at Tivoli Hotel and Congress Center in the heart of Copenhagen. The established slogan “It takes a system to save a life”, expressing the importance of meeting other relevant professions within the field emphasizes the Congress’ continuous focus on themes such as knowledge sharing, cooperation, participant interaction, and social relations.
In 2018 the overall theme was “Next is now” – Focusing on the future, innovative solutions and cutting-edge science.
Implementation
A major criterion for success at EMS is to gather the many different groups of professionals representing the field of emergency medical services and pre-hospital care, making the area of knowledge sharing a key focus at the 2018 installment of the Congress. A large number of interactive sessions, practical workshops, keynotes, panel debates, and social events was the core of the scientific program. Outside the more traditional congress program, we have a constant wish to challenge and innovate the format to provide an unique and different congress experience for the attendees.
The unofficial European Championship in saving lives – EMS Championship – was once again a key event at the Congress. Teams from different nations compete in scenario-based events founded in potential scenarios from the everyday life of EMS professionals. The scenarios are played out by professional actors. Knowledge sharing and cooperation is the core of the EMS Championship presenting an exciting insight into the different ways teams from all over the world approach the scenarios.
This year all the EMS2018 delegates were invited to participate in the official “It takes a system to save a life Parade” in collaboration with TrygFonden’s heart runner march. Starting at Tivoli Hotel & Congress Center the delegates marched towards The Tivoli Gardens where the Prime Minister of Denmark Lars Løkke Rasmussen gave a speech to the approximately 2300 attendees. This was an opportunity to highlight and thank the 17.500 heart runners in Denmark – An important initiative for EMS that, once again, stresses the importance of the role of the system when saving lives – ordinary people can play their part as well. Following the ceremony the welcome reception started in the charming surroundings of The Tivoli Garden, giving the many international visitors an opportunity to enjoy one of the most popular tourist attractions in Copenhagen.
Other special events that made EMS2018 something special was the cadaver lab, giving the participants the rare opportunity of putting theory in to practice on real cadavers, gala dinner at The Circus Building, morning runs, presentation of mobile treatment room, site visits, best abstract award and the opportunity to join a Danish ambulance for a couple of hours.
Crone & Co handled the overall project management and implementation including economy and budget, PR-activity, planning, sponsor- and exhibitor activity, coordination with venues, hotels, volunteers, online event management platform, mobile app, and website.
Results
EMS2018 was, just like the previous years, a great success. There was a lot of mentions on social media including more than 31.000 Twitter reactions. The congress was featured in the Danish media and the parade made EMS2018 visible in the streets of Copenhagen.
At the end of the Congress, it was announced that EMS would be back again in the spring of 2019. This time in Madrid, Spain – And once again with Crone & Co as the official PCO.
