More photographs from this event: https://www.simoncallaghanphotography.com/Event-Photographer/ABPCO-Excellence-Awards-2025-Manchester-Event-Photography Organised by the Association of British Professional Conference Organisers, the ABPCO Awards celebrate best practice among professional conference organisers, focusing on innovation, strategic alignment, and meaningful delegate outcomes. This year again, Boardroom magazine proudly sponsored the International Conference category, in line with our commitment to supporting associations that design events with purpose.
With its foundation in Europe and a mission that extends beyond that, ESCRS has become a reference point in global ophthalmology. The Society supports not only surgeons, but the entire ophthalmic care team, and is actively engaged in advancing clinical guidelines, funding independent research, and promoting ethical innovation across the sector. Its work shapes both policy and practice, reinforcing its reputation as a leader in the translation of science into improved patient outcomes.
For ESCRS, that purpose is clear. “At its core, ESCRS exists to advance education, innovation and excellence in cataract and refractive surgery for the benefit of patients worldwide,” says Nicole Leida, Director of Operations, Association Management & Consultancy Services at MCI UK, the agency that delivered the event for ESCRS. “The 2024 Congress wasn’t just a successful event in Barcelona; it was a deliberate reinforcement of their role as a global learning ecosystem.”
A Lasting Educational Legacy
With more than 16,000 delegates from 126 countries, the ESCRS Congress 2024 was the most attended in its 42-year history. But the numbers alone don’t capture its full value. According to Leida, the event’s significance lies in how it has deepened the Society’s commitment to year-round learning and professional development.
“By expanding access through hybrid delivery, hands-on training and enduring educational resources,” she explains, “the Congress has strengthened the infrastructure that connects surgeons, educators and industry all year long. It’s about continuity, not just content.”Key to this continuity was the expanded offering for early-career ophthalmologists. Practical, skill-building opportunities such as wet and dry labs were complemented by enhanced mentoring initiatives and leadership development sessions. “Young professionals were given tools to not only improve their clinical expertise, but also envision their future roles in shaping the field,” Leida adds.
Inclusion and Sustainability in Action
The ESCRS Congress also made important strides in inclusion, both in terms of who the Congress served, and how. The BOSS (Building Our Sustainable Society) programme introduced a dedicated DEI track, offering structured spaces for mentoring, candid conversations, and leadership growth.
Leida is especially proud of how the event visibly integrated allied health professionals through the ESONT (European Society of Ophthalmic Nurses and Technicians) community. “We saw a strong impact for nurses, technicians and allied professionals – groups often marginalised in scientific programming,” she says. “This year, they weren’t just included, they were central.”
Building on this, ESCRS is now creating a dedicated membership category for allied health professionals, which only confirms the organisation’s broaders strategic shift. “It’s a formal recognition of the essential role they play in patient care and surgical outcomes,” Leida confirms.
Environmental sustainability was another area that ESCRS highlighted during the conference, moving from theory to action. A new hotel rating system, developed in collaboration with the United Nations, assessed accommodation providers on 29 criteria across waste, energy, water and accessibility. Delegates could select hotels based on these sustainability credentials, encouraging behavioural change across the supply chain.
“We wanted to empower our community to make conscious choices,” says Leida. “Transparency around sustainability creates accountability and that’s the only way we’ll see long-term progress.” Other measures included plant-based catering, venue-wide recycling points, and initiatives to reduce packaging waste from medical suppliers.
A Values-Driven Vision
Apart from the congress and its educational value, ESCRS continues to play a key role in shaping clinical standards and policy within ophthalmology worldwide. Through its research output, partnerships, and advocacy on topics such as surgical innovation and evidence-based practice, the Society extends its impact well beyond its annual congress.
Initiatives like its ongoing work with regulatory bodies and its investment in clinical guidelines position ESCRS as a leader in the scientific advancement of the field. The Barcelona Congress reflected this broader vision, acting as a platform to convene key voices and set priorities for the future of eye care.
What ultimately set the ESCRS Congress 2024 apart and earned it the ABPCO award was the way it reflected a deeply values-driven strategy. “Despite the high level of complexity, we fully achieved our objectives,” said Filomena Ribeiro, ESCRS President. “I cannot fail to mention the incredible work on the new initiatives, which exceeded all my expectations.”
And for Leida and her team, this award serves as a motivation to build on this strategy and bring the association even further in its journey. “We’re already asking: how do we build on this?” she says. “Because the real impact of Barcelona isn’t behind us. It’s still unfolding.”