Cardiovascular disease (CVD) kills over 4.3 million people annually in Europe. Recent studies have highlighted the mounting human and economic cost of heart disease, calculated to be 192 billion Euros per year1. CVD is the main cause of death in all European countries. Experts from all over the world will gather for the Congress of the European Society of Cardiology (ESC) in late August 2011 at the convention centre in Paris Nord Villepinte, to share their knowledge, hear the latest in new treatments and stay abreast with developments in treatment, medical devices and imaging. This appointment is particularly valued by Professor Michel Komajda from the Pitié Salpetrière Hospital in Paris, France, who is currently vice-president of the ESC, and will preside over the society in 2011. Professor Komajda says: “Although the location is idyllic and should undoubtedly be a great hit with our delegates, what remains paramount is that cardiologists convene from all over the world to exchange experiences. The globalisation of scientific and medical research is a positive evolution.
An international forum like the ESC Congress allows cardiologists to learn about the latest developments which they can then apply back in their home countries to the benefit of their patients.”The ESC Congress 2011 will bring over 600 hours of science and education delivered by 3,000 world renowned speakers, with nearly 10,000 abstracts submitted and an exhibition of 25,000 square meters, making it the prime meeting platform for the profession. The European Society of Cardiology expects around 30,000 participants to gather in Paris in 2011. Last year’s congress (2007) held in Vienna registered more than 23 thousand delegates, over 5,600 industry representatives, 564 journalists who attended 14 press conferences and over 700 spouses and accompanying persons. “The main focus of cardiologists is on science, education and research, but professional networking is also an important aspect of this event and delegates are sure to enjoy the variety and quality of entertainment Paris has to offer,” explains Prof Komajda.
Professor Pascal Gueret, newly appointed president of the French Society of Cardiology who will work together with the ESC to promote this event says: “This is a wonderful opportunity to highlight the contribution of French researchers to advances in all fields related to cardiology. We are very happy to welcome our colleagues from Europe and beyond. The ESC Congress is an opportunity for scientific exchange on a global scale. This will also be a great occasion to reach the French public and stress the importance of cardiovascular disease prevention. Health professionals have a major role to play in improving patients understanding of the importance of adopting balanced lifestyles and also in helping authorities enforce measures leading to healthy environments. During the ESC Congress, local events will take place aiming to reach out and create awareness among Parisians of the importance of leading healthy lives. Although the French have a reputation for eating well and authorities have taken steps in the right direction by imposing smoking bans for example, levels of obesity and physical inactivity are growing among some segments of the population. A big event like this may act as an eye-opener for the public at large”.
The City of Paris has been instrumental in enabling the Tourist & Congress Office to secure strategic congress applications such as the ESC’s. Last December Alan Howard, CEO of the ESC, Isabel Bardinet, ESC Congress Director, the Deputy Mayor of Health and all relevant city departments, signed an agreement confirming that Paris would commit to providing its highest support to the ESC Congress. The management of such a big event requires a city to adapt in terms of the accrued traffic, security demands, hotel capacity and other technical aspects as well as making the City as welcoming as possible to participants. Moreover the City of Paris intends to contribute to the effort of relaying information about heart disease prevention among its population by partnering ESC local events together with a network of associations and by communicating through their online and press media. The Trocadero and the Champs de Mars are being proposed as sites for the planned events focusing on cardiovascular disease prevention. Professor Michel Bertrand, past president of the ESC 1991-1994, remembers: “The ESC held a meeting in Paris back in 1980. In those days the convention took place every 4 years and around 6 800 participants were involved, mostly European. This reunion has grown immensely in scope and importance since then, reflecting on both the growing burden of heart disease in the world and the effort on the part of health professionals and researchers to find ways to prevent and treat cardiovascular disease.”
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