The 111th Annual Congress of the Taiwan Society of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery

Challenge

Taiwan Society of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery co-organized “The 111th Annual Congress of the Taiwan Society of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery” with seven medical societies for the first time. In the early stage of preparation, the epidemic resumed severely in Taiwan, the Society called upon 320 ENT doctors in Taiwan to devote themselves to local community screening stations; the spirit of one island, one life was admirable. However, in the face of the impact of the uncertainty of the epidemic, there was a lot of uncertainty about whether the congress would be held as scheduled at the end of the year. What format would the organizer like to hold the meeting? "How to respond to the change?" became the most critical issue.

Solution

As the epidemic eased, the congress was conducted in a hybrid format. International speakers shared clinical cases and future trends in ENT Head and Neck Surgery in the post-epidemic era in a virtual way. Eventually, more than 2,300 people attended the congress. This was the first face-to-face occasion since the epidemic was in remission, and all members cherished the opportunity with a high attendance of 80% which has reached an all-time high.

With regard to academic agenda and exhibition planning, we created the maximum possible use of the limited space. After compiling the agenda requirements of the organizers and the seven co-organizers, a total of 76 lectures were held in 7 conference rooms which included lecture, forum, and primary care symposiums and showed full academic power. In order to provide integral exhibition space, up to 40 booths were planned on-site to fully satisfy the needs of different exhibitors from international pharmaceutical companies, audiological devices and medical equipment manufacturers, and the communication was very enthusiastic.