Congress 4.0 – A New Framework for a Changing Industry

In a time of accelerated transformation, the congress industry finds itself at a crossroads. Scientific societies, especially in the medical and healthcare sectors, are facing increasing complexity: a growing offer of technological solutions, new logistical models, shifting cost structures, and a global environment marked by uncertainty and opportunity alike.

It was within this context that the publication Congress 4.0 – Rethinking Work, Solutions, and Strategies was presented at Association Days Europe 2025. Far from being a theoretical exercise, the work aims to serve as a pragmatic and strategic compass for those navigating the evolving congress landscape.

The feedback from association leaders and scientific society representatives was immediate and telling: there is an urgent need for interpretation, orientation, and structure. Many feel disoriented by the proliferation of offers from the market—particularly tech-driven ones—that often lack a cohesive strategic vision.

Congress 4.0 addresses this gap. It doesn’t merely catalogue trends, but frames them within an actionable vision, identifying the structural transformations that are reshaping roles, expectations, and market dynamics. From the shifting role of PCOs to the emergence of destinations as experience-driven ecosystems, the publication sets the stage for a new phase in congress planning and delivery.

This article marks the first in a dedicated series exploring the key insights from Congress 4.0. Over the coming months, we will examine the changing functions of professional stakeholders, the evolution of destination positioning, the strategic importance of congress centres, and the growing role of public authorities in competitive congress development.

The aim is to equip our readers—whether organisers, suppliers, or institutional actors—with tools to interpret change and respond with clarity, creativity, and impact.