When the American Association for Bronchology and Interventional Pulmonology (AABIP) looked at its attendance data in 2021, one thing was clear: the meeting had outgrown its domestic roots but hadn’t cracked the code on international expansion. Prospective participants from Latin America were staying away. The reason? Language. English-only programming created an invisible wall that marketing couldn’t overcome. Within four years, AABIP and Kenes Group dismantled that wall, more than doubling attendance and transforming the meeting into one of the field’s most inclusive international gatherings.
Executive Summary
The American Association for Bronchology and Interventional Pulmonology (AABIP) partnered with Kenes Group to transform its annual meeting from a primarily domestic event into a growing international forum. The goal was to increase participation from outside North America, expand the scientific reach of the program, and create a more inclusive experience for Latin American attendees. Through targeted localisation, technological innovation, and strong operational execution, AABIP achieved record-breaking attendance, unprecedented scientific engagement, and a stronger global presence.
The Challenge
AABIP aimed to broaden its international reach, but a key obstacle emerged: many prospective participants from Latin America were hesitant to attend due to English-language limitations. The team identified the language barrier as the main factor preventing the association from attracting new audiences and increasing its global influence.
The challenge was not only to overcome this barrier but also to ensure that participants who did not speak English fluently still felt welcome, supported, and included throughout the entire conference journey.
Kenes Group’s Solution
Kenes Group implemented a multi-layered approach focused on inclusivity, accessibility, and community-building. A key component was technological innovation. All scientific sessions featured real-time AI-generated Spanish transcription subtitles, which made the content more accessible for Latin American participants. In addition, the team piloted AI-generated session summaries to provide participants with an extra layer of support and comprehension.
Another pillar of the strategy was targeted localisation. Email campaigns and promotional materials were translated into Spanish to better reach and engage the LATAM audience. Kenes also partnered with a major Latin American association to expand regional outreach and cross-promotion, strengthening the visibility and relevance of the event within the community.
Onsite Experience
The onsite experience was designed to ensure that every participant felt welcomed, supported, and able to fully engage. Many members of the onsite Kenes team were bilingual and wore pins identifying the languages they spoke, making it easy for Spanish-speaking participants to find assistance. The scientific program was further enriched with dedicated Spanish-language sessions, creating space for regional voices and discussion. A special networking event brought together participants from across Latin America, fostering community and strengthening professional ties. Throughout the conference, staff and committee members actively gathered feedback to better understand participant needs and continuously improve the experience.
Impact and Key Results
AABIP’s collaboration with Kenes Group generated measurable growth across participation, scientific engagement, and international reach.
Record Attendance Growth
AABIP achieved continuous year-over-year attendance growth since 2021.
Key milestones include:
- 598 participants in 2021
- 918 participants in 2023
- 1,147 participants in 2024
- 1,229 participants in 2025
- Projection of 1,300 for 2026 and 1,450 for 2027
This represents more than doubling attendance within six years, supported by verified annual growth percentages as high as 37 percent.
Surge in Scientific Contributions
Abstract submissions grew sharply and consistently:
- 40 abstracts in 2020
- 77 abstracts in 2022
- 178 abstracts in 2023
- 208 abstracts in 2024
- 278 abstracts in 2025
Between 2022 and 2025, submissions increased by more than 260 percent, confirming the growing academic relevance of the meeting.
Stronger International Participation
The conference saw a significant rise in non-U.S. participation, with particularly strong representation from across Latin America. Sessions designed for the LATAM community were consistently full, marked by active engagement and a clear sense of connection among attendees. Participants also expressed high satisfaction with the program and strong interest in returning for future editions.
Strategic Benefits for AABIP
This broader international presence opened new opportunities for collaboration with national and regional societies and strengthened AABIP’s ability to offer scientific content tailored to a diverse global audience. It also reinforced the value of partnering with an AMC that brings deep experience in managing international medical meetings.
AABIP leadership also praised the conference as “educational and interactive,” and highlighted it as an ideal example of executing a hybrid and inclusive scientific event.
Conclusion
This case demonstrates how a highly focused, participant-centred approach can transform a domestic meeting into an international success story. By addressing the language barrier through technology, localisation, and onsite experience, Kenes Group helped AABIP create a conference where every attendee felt welcomed and valued. The results speak for themselves: record attendance, dramatic growth in scientific submissions, and deepened international engagement. The AABIP project illustrates how AMCs can drive sustainable growth, broaden global reach, and deliver long-term strategic impact for their association partners.