AABIP Annual Conference 2021 – Rewarding first-time hybrid

Client: American Association for Bronchology and Interventional Pulmonology (AABIP)

Event: AABIP Annual Meeting 2021

Service: Hybrid event

Challenge

Having not held a meeting since 2019, this year’s AABIP challenge was to offer their members worldwide the opportunity to discuss and learn about current trends and the latest technological developments, industry breakthroughs and guidelines for thoracic diseases regardless of travel bans and general international mobility uncertainty.

The Europe-based team at Kenes Group behind the logistics of the AABIP Conference 2021 could not travel to Baltimore, Maryland in the U.S. and 70 out of the 150 speakers were unable to confirm their attendance to the venue until a very late stage of the planning process.  

Solution

To offer an exciting and informative scientific program to interventional pulmonologists, advanced diagnostic bronchos­copists, critical care specialists, thoracic surgeons, advanced practice providers and trainees, the AABIP and Kenes Group designed a hybrid event that guaranteed on-site biosecurity measures and multiple virtual resources.

Additionally, the strategy for a successful outcome involved:

  • Audiovisual team ready to assist speakers before and during the conference.
  • Support from the Kenes Group team based in Argentina, Mexico, and the U.S.
  • On-demand content available for two months.

Outcomes

The AABIP Conference 2021 delighted both on-site and online attendees with a combination of in-person live streams, virtual interactive discussions, and pre-recorded breakout sessions with a live Q&A. While the Association was expecting an estimated attendance of 150 members online and 200 in-person, the Conference gathered 215 more on-site and 95 more virtually.

There was an outstanding rate of more than 400 downloads of the mobile application developed for the conference, aimed to connect attendees no matter how they participated – online or onsite, both during and after the event.

“Educational and Interactive with an ideal example of how to run a hybrid conference! On to next year!”

– Abhinav Agrawal, MD – Director of Interventional Pulmonology at Northwell Health