IPVS in Marseille: A Congress With a Mission

IPVS last met in France in Paris in 2002. What made the society choose Marseille for 2027, beyond the venue and the dates?

Marseille is a vibrant city with wonderful cuisine and cultural attractions but also a charming Provence flair – making it a really attractive destination for IPVS 2027. It’s also well situated, in proximity to active medical and scientific research institutions across Europe. 

We received a competitive offer from the venue, Marseille Chanot. Indeed, financial criteria remain a priority for conference destination selection. Between the Marseille Convention Bureau and Marseille Chanot teams, we are convinced that we have strong partners to work with us on this conference edition in France. 

Also, the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination uptake is low in France, putting lives at risk. HPV‑related diseases take over half a million lives each year world-wide. No one should be dying from cancers we can prevent with a safe and effective vaccine. We have lots of work to do locally to raise awareness of HPV and protect the lives of the French population. 

There’s a clear willingness from the Society an impact beyond the sessions. What has that looked like in earlier host cities, and what do you ask of a destination? 

Let’s look at the context. IPVS is the global authority on HPV, uniting scientists, clinicians, medical researchers, public health experts, policymakers and patient advocates for the prevention of HPV-related cancer and other diseases. IPVS is the global center of research, education and awareness aimed at preventing 6 cancers. With over 1,600 members, our mission is to contribute to the elimination of HPV-related diseases.

HPV is a common virus. It affects over 80% of the world population, often without any symptoms, and can lead to cancer (and other diseases) affecting women and men. Yet public awareness of HPV remains critically low. This is tragic because HPV-related cancer is preventable, through vaccination, screening and timely treatment.

One of the society’s core activities is raising public awareness and understanding of HPV as the first step toward preventing HPV-related diseases. This is the bedrock of IPVS legacy initiatives. We begin long before and continue long after the actual conference in October. 

The model of IPVS legacy activity began in Scotland in 2024 and was made possible through the Best Cities’ Seed Fund grant we were very fortunate to receive. Through working with dedicated local teams passionate about creating change, we improve public awareness of HPV, strengthen educational resources and build ongoing partnerships (based on shared objectives) with local and national health authorities. 

The results have become a replicable model for conference legacy that continues to serve communities in Scotland (IPVS 2024), Thailand (IPVS 2025) and Greece (IPVS 2026) to this day. Examples of specific legacy activities for previous conference locations include : social media awareness campaign using local influencers, high school educational modules, student awareness & outreach through pop-up events, adverts in school intranet, large billboards in public transport, adverts in pharmacies, press conferences, media coverage, webinars for health professionals, public event on the stigma of HPV, etc. 

A Sample of Upcoming Congresses in Marseille 

What would success look like in Marseille?  How would you measure its impact on residents and not only on the scientific community?

The French legacy team is bursting with promising ideas to raise awareness of HPV, address misinformation around the HPV vaccine, and drive HPV vaccination levels upward, both regionally and at the national level. 

A year ahead of IPVS 2027, this team is already exploring ways to grab public attention and get people motivated to get themselves and their loved ones vaccinated against HPV. One measure of success will be actual shots in arms in Marseille and hopefully beyond. 

Further, if the seeds can be sown to increase public understanding and confidence in HPV vaccination, that’s a success to be harvested over time. Also, convincing the local authorities to prioritize the HPV agenda and influencing national or regional policies and processes would be a tremendous achievement.

If another association wanted to turn its congress into a public health legacy, what would you tell them exactly?

We feel like we are learning more each year about the recipe for success. First, legacy looks different in each country. We have learned not to come with a pre-set agenda. We share what we have done in previous years as possible inspiration and then listen to the priorities of the local team and the conditions and context in that country. We make a plan together to work on activities that address those priorities. This leads to strong partnerships that continue long after the conference.

Another asset is to be fortunate enough to have influential local team members with strong networks to get things done. It is also very beneficial when the convention bureau shares our vision for change. The extraordinary support and commitment of the Aix Marseille Provence Convention Bureau, which is a member of the Legacy Committee, is invaluable in connecting us with local stakeholders and getting local authorities and institutions on board.  

This article is part of a Special Boardroom Destination Supplement available here to download.