Newsflash: Congress review. Good Bye Valencia

Transcription

1 Newsflash: Congress review Good Bye Valencia Another great congress ; a fantastic location, what a great atmosphere compliments like these from delegates and exhibitors after departing from Valencia were addressed to the EFCLIN office over the last few weeks. The Board of EFCLIN and the EFCLIN Secretariat are pleased to announce yet another resounding success in the form of the Annual Congress & Exhibition at the Melia Valencia Hotel in Valencia Spain. A month ago the EFCLIN community met in Valencia for the 43 rd EFCLIN Congress and Exhibition. I must admit I was very excited when I arrived in Valencia as it was my first event with EFCLIN. Now I can look back at the memories of a successful congress and exhibition. Valencia itself was perhaps not as sunny as everyone expected, but the clouds did not dampen the mood of our congress. The bar was buzzing all night and the social program was fully booked. The golfers enjoyed the course, the delegates attended all the lectures and the exhibitors were as When it comes to congress destinations there are few that can match Valencia for the breadth of the cultural experience on offer. However, such was the interest in the 2016 EFCLIN lecture program alongside what is now regarded as the industry leading trade show, it s no surprise some delegates were running out of time to combine business with pleasure! With more than 320 participants, records of last year were matched again on the first day. By close of the event many exhibitors were also reporting record amounts of business having been done. With a congress theme of The Architecture Of Your EFCLIN Newsflash No 119 Page 1 von 5

2 always very happy to talk to all those in the exhibition hall. The accompanying partners had a lovely tour to the historical and modern buildings and even learned how to cook their own paella. The newly formatted manufacturers Forum, under the guidance of Erik Smidt, enabled the attendees to interact and discuss lots of subjects that had been addressed to Erik. The delegates filled the rooms during the contact Lens Forum on Friday and Saturday as well as the IOL Forum on Saturday. Unfortunately we did experience a computer glitch which affected some presentations. We sincerely apologize for that. Business the EFCLIN Congress hoped to capture some of the modern and historical connection Valencia has with trade and commerce most delegates reported that this objective was well and truly achieved. The Contact Lens Lecture program featured important offerings from Nick Dash, Prof. José Manuel González-Méijome, Cristian Mertz and Craig Norman to mention just a few names from the high quality line up of speakers. However delegates from the ocular surgery side of the industry were not disappointed where a bespoke program of lectures headed by Prof. Pablo Artal and Prof. James Wolffsohn caused the organisers to go looking for more chairs such was the demand from delegates wishing to attend this part of the program! Special thanks for the success of the event this year must go to all our exhibitors and sponsors. Once again the Board and I could not stress enough what an important part of the EFCLIN mix you all are. Thank you all! We could not have done it without all of you! Our destination for 2017 will be Prague in the Czech Republic. There will be more communication over the coming weeks and months but in the meantime I hope you enjoyed the event in The trade exhibition at the EFCLIN Congress has always been well attended and this year 24 exhibitors occupied every sq. cm. of available space. Not something the organisers like to do it, so the message is clear if you want space at the biggest trade show in EFCLIN Newsflash No 119 Page 2 von 5

3 Valencia and I hope that you will make time to visit Prague next year. 27 th 29 th April are the dates for your calendar. I hope you don t miss it! Cordially the industry get your request in early! Some images from the event can be found here. Somebody famous once wrote about the effects of all work and no play and fortunately the organisers of the EFCLIN Congress are familiar with the sentiment. Thanks to the major sponsors - Contamac Ltd, Bausch & Lomb and Global Contact - all participants were treated to an evening of good Spanish tapas and paella at the seaside restaurant La Ferradura on Thursday evening. Marion Beeler, Executive Director EFCLIN With thanks to our sponsors... Saturday evening saw the climax of the event marked with the Congress Dinner in the Melia Hotel. The tables were set for 140 places and all seats were taken. New Executive Director, Mrs. Marion Beeler, who took over the baton from Steve Wheeler at the beginning 2016, welcomed the EFCLIN community. After a delightful meal, EFCLIN President Armin Duddek noted that he and the EFCLIN Board were pleased to welcome 5 new EFCLIN members to the group. All were warmly welcomed by the assembled members and invited guests. EFCLIN Newsflash No 119 Page 3 von 5

4 With arrangements already well advanced for the forthcoming 2017 event, the EFCLIN President and Board urge all those interested in attending to make a note in their schedule for the 44 th EFCLIN Congress & Exhibition which will take place from the 27 th 29 th April 2017 in Prague, Czech Republic. Further details will be featured in the Congress section of the EFCLIN website over the coming weeks and months. What about the golf? Once again we are thankful to Contour Technodiamant for their continued sponsorship of the golf tournament. The tournament was well attended and the golfers had a lot of fun. Bob Heavyside from Medmont was the overall winner congratulations to Bob! Unfortunately Bob was unable to attend the Congress Dinner so his trophy was presented to him at the golf course instead. In Prague we shall have a golf tournament again sponsored by EFCLIN Newsflash No 119 Page 4 von 5

5 Contour Technodiamant. Please reserve the Wednesday before the congress and more details will follow. Unforgettable - The Congress Dinner Every year the climax of the EFCLIN Congress & Exhibition is the Congress Dinner. Taking place on Saturday 30th April, it did not fail to round off the event in style with good food, wine and entertainment. With golden oldies interpreted by the band JUST US, the congress visitors and sponsors danced all night. President Armin Duddek thanked all sponsors and visitors for making this event happen. He expressed his hope to see all again at 44 th EFCLIN congress and Exhibition in Prague. Bye bye Valencia Hello Prague! Follow on Twitter Like on Facebook forward to a friend Copyright Efclin, All rights reserved Unsubcribe from this list update subscription preferences EFCLIN Newsflash No 119 Page 5 von 5