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» International Society of Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology World Congress September 23-28, 2005

Interview with Dr. Alain Gagnon
BC Women's Hospital

Q: What made you decide to bid for this conference?

A: Having attended this high quality congress for a number of years, I felt that it would be wonderful for Canadians to participate. So when the International Society on Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology approached us to have Vancouver put forward a bid, I immediately said "YES" and sought support from our local groups as well as from physicians across the country involved in the field. Knowing Vancouver's qualities as a host city (and that's even before the IOC recognized that too!), they all backed our bid.

Q: What challenges did you have?

A: First, we had to ensure that Vancouver was well profiled as the other contenders included well known US cities. Tourism Vancouver was instrumental in putting our bid together and providing critical information to our society board members to accomplish this. Our second challenge was adapting the format of this International congress to the North American reality with regards to Continuing Medical Education (CME) rules and regulations. The UBC Division of CME was very helpful in this regard.

Q: What were the results of the conference for the hospital and your field here in Vancouver?

A: The conference definitely generated excitement within our facility about what is done around the world and the possibilities we have. This should certainly stimulate better patient care and new research initiatives for BC Women's. The Congress brought together Canadians from coast to coast which should enhance collaborative work. It showcased the talents of British Columbians and Canadians as many of them presented during the Congress.

Q: Was the conference a success?

A: Feedback from attendees throughout the meeting was definitely that it was an immense success. We had over 1,200 delegates from 62 countries, with some countries such as China having their biggest delegation ever attending. New exhibitors were identified, including some showcasing "made in British Columbia" technology.

Q: What words of advice would you give to someone thinking about organizing a conference here in Vancouver?

A: Start as early as you can. Surround yourself with a team that has experience and are willing to roll up their sleeves. In our case, everyone on each side of the pond (the head office and professional conference organizers were based in London, UK) supported the project 110%.

If you're interested in becoming a local host or arealready bringing a conference to Vancouver and arein need of our services, contact the Be a Host team..