ESE Congress 2023: Advancing CSR and Sustainability in Helsinki
The European Society of Endodontology (ESE) Congress, held in Helsinki, Finland from September 6th to 9th, 2023, marked its fifth edition under the careful organisation of AIM Group International, Portugal Office.
As one of the premier events in the field of endodontology, the ESE Congress not only aimed to surpass the numbers of its previous edition but also placed a significant emphasis on corporate social responsibility (CSR) and sustainability initiatives.
The 2023 edition
AIM Group International had a long-standing partnership with ESE, dating back to 2013. This trust and collaboration facilitated the smooth planning and execution of the event, which was the fifth edition managed by AIM Group.
The main objectives of the 2023 ESE Congress were to surpass the previous edition’s numbers despite the challenges of organizing the congress just one year after the previous event in 2022. These objectives included achieving higher delegate numbers, increasing abstract submissions, and boosting the exhibition area.
The 2023 ESE Congress adopted a hybrid approach, combining in-person and virtual elements. This marked a significant departure from the traditional in-person format, with two main halls being recorded for video-on-demand access exclusively for congress participants. The event design also featured pre-congress courses, satellite workshops organized by industry partners, and various interactive sessions to cater to diverse learning preferences.
One of the standout features of the 2023 ESE Congress was its commitment to sustainability. The ESE Congress joined the IAPCO (International Association of Professional Congress Organisers) pledge against single-use plastic, promoting sustainable practices not only within the event but involving also the venue (Helsinki Expo & Convention Centre, Messukeskus) and the Helsinki Convention and Visitors Bureau.
The organizers took several actions to limit the event’s environmental impact, including:
- Providing the final program in digital format.
- Using badges without plastic holders and offering on-site badge printing.
- Reusing signage structures and using cotton participant bags.
- Installing water dispensers and providing reusable ESE bottles to all delegates.
- Encouraging speakers to use public transportation, with free public transportation provided.
- Designating at least one vegetarian day for catering.
- Opting for sandwich lunches in buffet stations to reduce plastic waste.
- Using tap water instead of bottled water, available at water dispensers.
- Donating leftover food to homeless people in a nearby facility.
Additionally, the congress partnered with Spesia School, an institution for children with special educational needs, who actively supported the event by providing directions to participants at the train station, handling food leftovers, and offering touristic information.
The communication plan for the congress, managed by AIM Group for the 4th consecutive year, included a comprehensive social media campaign, including organic and paid promotion, as well as video marketing leading up to the event.
During the congress, real-time coverage on Facebook and Instagram, along with extensive photo and video documentation, ensured that the event reached a wider audience. Collaborating with the ESE Communication & Community Engagement Committee, the team conducted interviews with key opinion leaders in endodontology and streamed select moments on YouTube, amplifying the event’s visibility and content availability.
The ESE community has been very engaged on Social Media in the last years, thanks to a multi-channel communication strategy, as you can read in the dedicated case history https://www.aimgroupinternational.com/impact-story/taking-the-association-brand-to-the-next-level/ )
The 2023 ESE Congress achieved remarkable results, with 1700 participants, surpassing the numbers from the 2022 edition. The event featured 45 sponsors and exhibitors, significantly higher than the previous year, with almost 600 square meters of net space sold for exhibitions.
While the client’s satisfaction survey is still being processed, feedback from ESE was excellent, and participants onsite expressed high satisfaction with the scientific content, venue, and logistical arrangements.
The ESE Congress 2023 in Helsinki not only achieved its objectives but also made significant strides in promoting sustainability, CSR initiatives, and advanced event technology. This holistic approach ensured that the congress was not only a platform for knowledge sharing but also a beacon of responsible and innovative event management.