Medical meetings
Prescription for medical meeting success
PAUL COLSTON TAKES A CONSULTATION WITH KENES CEO ORI LAHAV
T he medical market is not just important in and of itself – it is fundamental to the conferencing industry . Globally , the medical and healthcare conference sector represents a significant portion of the MICE industry . According to one recent UFI / ICCA Report , an estimated 50 % of all international association meetings worldwide are related to medical and healthcare disciplines . This equates to thousands of events annually , attracting millions of participants .
CEO of Kenes Group , Ori Lahav , says the medical market is central to everything his international PCO does .
“ We are a mission-driven company with a clear purpose : to improve patient outcomes by fostering platforms for global collaboration , education , and innovation in healthcare ,” Lahav says . “ Our portfolio includes over 100 annual events , with more than 80 % being in the medical and scientific sectors . In 2024 alone , Kenes Group engaged over 200,000 participants from across the globe through its events , facilitating knowledge sharing that directly impacts clinical practices and research advancements .”
The role of medical conferences goes beyond presentations and networking , they are platforms where the latest breakthroughs are introduced , interdisciplinary collaborations are forged , and healthcare professionals are empowered with knowledge that ultimately benefits patients . Kenes is one of many agency-enablers of this vital ecosystem .
I asked Lahav why the company chose to specialise in this area , particularly as there seem to be so many barriers to entry with pharma codes and other regulations to take into account .
“ Kenes Group ’ s specialisation in medical and scientific conferences is deeply-rooted in our history and purpose . From our founding in 1965 , we have maintained strong relationships with
Left : 50 % of all international association meetings are related to medical and healthcare disciplines top-tier academic institutions and leading medical societies , positioning ourselves as a trusted partner in advancing healthcare knowledge .”
Lahav admits the sector comes with its unique challenges , including strict compliance regulations and ethical guidelines . “ However ,” he says , “ these barriers also underscore the importance and integrity of medical meetings . We ’ ve developed unparalleled expertise over nearly 60 years , which enables us to navigate these restrictions effectively while delivering impactful events .”
Lahav identifies the following key regulatory challenges when organising medical congresses :
• Content accuracy and evidence-based information Medical meetings are built on trust . The content presented must be evidence-based , peerreviewed and scientifically sound . This focus on accuracy ensures that healthcare professionals leave with actionable knowledge that directly improves patient outcomes .
• Compliance with regulatory standards Regulatory frameworks like Ethical MedTech , ACCME and EACCME dictate how events are structured . Sponsorship and branding are carefully regulated to ensure that the content remains unbiased and educational .
• Sponsor interaction and content independence Sponsors ’ influence on content is strictly limited to maintain objectivity . Kenes creates designated spaces for sponsor engagement , such as exhibition areas and satellite symposia as a way of ensuring that educational content remains free from commercial bias .
• Audience-centric education The focus of medical congresses must be to ensure that the
36 / CONFERENCE & MEETINGS WORLD / ISSUE 134