London underlined its position as one of the world’s leading locations for events and conferences with the decision by one of Europe’s leading medical associations, EASL, to stage its 2014 conference at ExCeL London, 3-miles from the Olympic Park.
The five day event is expected to bring some 10,000 hepatologists, doctors and medical professionals to the capital and generate over £25 million of revenue.
The Mayor of London, Boris Johnson, said:
“The infrastructure we have built in London, including the array of new landmark hotels and inspirational event spaces appearing in and around the east of the city, is making our great capital a dream location for the conference industry. I am delighted that EASL are coming here and welcome the jobs and investment their decision provides. The world has been watching how this city has hosted the Olympics, which I have no doubt will help lure further large events of this nature to London in the future.”
London was selected over other European and UK destinations after a competitive tendering process was run by EASL (the European Association for the Study of the Liver) through Congrex. London’s promotional organisation, London & Partners, worked in tandem with ExCeL London to secure the bid.
Grégoire Pavillon, Executive Director of EASL, commented:
“London has transformed itself as a congress venue over the last four years both in terms of world-class facilities and new infrastructure. For EASL, London is also a major global centre for medical research and the life science’s industry as a whole. We are therefore delighted to be hosting our 2014 International Liver Congress™ in the city.”
In the last four years London has rapidly risen up the ICCA rankings from 19th in 2008 to 7th in 2011. EASL promotes research and education in hepatology (the study of liver disease) and is focused on combatting liver disease. Liver-related illnesses are estimated to affect 6% of the European Union’s population (approximately 29 million people) and is reported to be the fifth biggest killer in the EU accounting for at least one in six deaths.
Kevin Murphy, CEO of ExCeL, added:
“The combination of our own expansion programme in 2010 to create London’s first International Convention Centre, ICC London, and unprecedented investment as a result of the Olympics, means we are exceptionally confident about the continued development of East London as a major global centre for conferences and sporting events. We look forward to welcoming EASL.”
The International Liver Congress™ (49th annual congress of EASL) is scheduled to take place from 9-13 April, 2014. Separately, the near-by Olympic Park and Lee Valley has already secured four major sporting events for the next 5 years including 2017 IAAF World Athletics Championships, 2013 Cycling Marathon, 2015 European Hockey Championships, and 2015 Canoe Slalom World Championships, with further events in the pipeline. During 2013, ExCeL London is due to hold nine medical industry conferences bringing over 35,000 delegates to the capital.
