The fifth edition of the ICCA Future of Healthcare Meetings (FHCM26) concluded last week in Athens, bringing together 160 attendees, including representatives from 30 healthcare associations across 15 countries, to explore the future of healthcare, medical, scientific, and life sciences meetings.

Hosted by Develop Athens, the City of Athens, Greece, and This is Athens Convention & Visitors Bureau, the fully booked event examined the trends transforming healthcare meetings, including artificial intelligence, MedTech innovation, patient-centred design, accessibility, sponsorship, governance, and the creation of long-term value beyond the event itself.

A key highlight was the launch of ICCA's inaugural Wavelength Report: Science for Better Healthcare Meetings, based on a review of more than 2,000 studies exploring meeting effectiveness, evidence gaps, and how research can support better decision-making across the healthcare meetings ecosystem.

Throughout the programme, delegates explored how healthcare meetings are evolving from transactional events into strategic platforms for scientific advancement, collaboration, knowledge exchange, and improved patient outcomes. Discussions focused on building trust through more transparent partnerships, involving patients earlier in event design, creating governance frameworks for AI, and measuring success through long-term impact rather than attendance alone.

Dr. Senthil Gopinath, CEO of ICCA, said:

“Healthcare meetings are among the most powerful examples of why business events matter. They are not simply gatherings of professionals. They are catalysts for scientific progress, innovation, collaboration, and better patient outcomes. By bringing together experts from across disciplines and regions, healthcare congresses help transform knowledge into action and create lasting value for healthcare systems and communities worldwide.”

Elissaios Sarmas, CEO of Develop Athens, said:
“Attracting high-value international conferences is central to our strategy at the City of Athens to strengthen our position on the global stage. Through Develop Athens, we’re actively investing in international outreach and attracting events that create real, meaningful opportunities for the city. Events like the ICCA Future of Healthcare Meetings allow us to do much more than just showcase our infrastructure and capabilities. More importantly, they let us connect directly with the international decision-makers, associations, and industry professionals shaping the future of the meetings market.

Every event like this is an investment in Athens’ global standing, opening doors to new partnerships and strengthening our ability to attract major international conferences down the road. Ultimately, our goal is for Athens to be far more than just a great host destination; we want to be trusted strategic partners. By connecting events with our local knowledge, research, and innovation ecosystem, we ensure every conference creates lasting value that goes well beyond the event itself.”

Looking ahead, ICCA announced that the next editions of the event will take place in Poznań, Poland (6-8 September 2027) and Coimbra, Portugal (11-13 September 2028), continuing the mission of bringing healthcare associations and meeting professionals together to shape better meetings for the future.

ICCA extends its sincere thanks to our hosts, Develop Athens, the City of Athens, and This is Athens-Convention & Visitors Bureau, as well as our local partners: AFEA Congress, Megaron Athens International Conference Centre, the Government of the Hellenic Republic, All About Events Greece, Athens Urban Rail Transport (STA.SY SA), and Parthen Meeting Services.

We are also grateful to our sponsors and partners whose support helped make this event possible: EventsAir, FIEXPO Latin America, IBTM World, IMEX, AIME, Snapsight, LetzFair, MementoPhoto.AI, Granicus Destinations, MCI Group, Qatar Airways, Air Canada, Turkish Airlines, and Lufthansa Group.