Today starts the largest classic congrss in the Czech history. From 23 to 26 June Prague will host the 48th ERA-EDTA Congress. This is the most important international meeting on the European continent, which, together with the accompanying exhibition, will take place in the Prague Congress Centre. Scientists and doctors will exchange information and evaluate the latest trends in diagnosis and treatment of acute kidney disease, dialysis and kidney transplantats.
“Forty-eighth Congress of ERA-EDTA has a chance to become the biggest classic congress which has ever been held in the Czech Republic. It is estimated that the total number of participants, including exhibitors, registered guests and accompanying persons may exceed ten thousand. The economic benefits of ERA-EDTA Congress are impressive: in 4 days here, the organizer and participants will spend about 300 million crowns,” said the Councilor of the City of Prague Lukáš Kaucký. “Prague will support the congress and its participants among other things with the possibility to use public transport services free of charge. It is part of the new strategy of the city to support the congress tourism, and the ERA-EDTA Congress also demonstrates how effective can be support of large congresses, “added Councilor Kaucký.
Prague will also provide advertising space on trams for free. If necessary, public transport will be operationally enhanced on congested subway routes and bus routes for airport transfers, especially on the weekend, as the congress ends on Sunday.
“I would like to thank the organizers for choosing the capital city of Prague to organize their congress. For the city it is an important event, because it belongs to the selected and very small group of large congresses, which significantly affect the transport, hotels, tourism and therefore economic infrastructure. Delegates of the congress can rely on reinforced security around the Congress Centre and in the city center, which is ensured by Municipal Police of Prague. We intend to continue supporting congress tourism, so Prague can become an attractive and popular location for congress tourists, “said Chairman of the Committee for tourism of the City of Prague Jan Kalousek.
Obtaining of the congress in Prague is unique because of the fact that the congress was won despite not all valid criteria being fulfilled. The organizer was forced to reduce the space for exhibitors, and he voluntarily waived a large part of the guaranteed income. “We are honored that such an event takes place in the Prague Congress Centre. PCC in its history has hosted only one event of similar scale and greatly looks forward to the next one,” stated director of PCC and Vice-president of the Prague Convention Bureau Michal Kárník.
Conferences are opportunities for effective promotion of the organizing destinations. Successful organizations, local support and positive feedback of the participants are the best references and advertising in this specific segment of tourism. Winning the congress improves prestige and position of Prague on the international convention field.
“Obtaining the ERA-EDTA Congress appears to be a small miracle. Historical and cultural heritage, safety, good access and attractive location of the convention center, these all are the aspects that give Prague competitive advantage, but for the “meeting planners” are fundamental different arguments. Without the active role of the city, investment incentives and, of course, expansion of the exhibition space in the convention center, Prague won´t be able to obtain citywide conventions regularly, “said the director of the organizing agency Czech-In Peter Marhoul.
