Innovation Through the Decades
Over six decades, Kenes Group has helped shape countless medical breakthroughs, scientific collaborations, and professional connections. Navigating recessions, global disruptions, and a pandemic, Kenes consistently adapted through technology, hybrid formats, and creative business models.
As Ori Lahav, CEO of Kenes Group, explains: “Reaching 60 years is a remarkable achievement, but what truly defines Kenes Group is our ability to innovate and adapt while staying true to our core values.”
From pioneering global knowledge-sharing platforms in the 1980s to today’s adoption of AI, hybrid congress formats, and sustainability practices, Kenes has remained a trusted partner for associations worldwide. Its ability to anticipate change — whether by introducing virtual congresses long before they became a necessity or embedding year-round community engagement strategies — has helped associations thrive even in uncertain times.
Celebrating in Vienna
To mark this milestone, Kenes Group brought together 300 employees and global partners in January 2025 for its 60th Anniversary and Leadership Summit in Vienna. The event offered a lens into the company’s forward vision, tackling the future of marketing, the role of AI and sustainability, strategies for engaging the next generation of professionals, and new models for PCO-AMC collaboration. For many attendees, the in-person gathering carried symbolic weight, including a global “All Hands” session — the first in years — that reinforced Kenes’ commitment to collaboration and its people. The summit also featured a CSR initiative in partnership with Caritas Austria, where delegates prepared and donated care packages for people experiencing homelessness.
Dan Rivlin, Executive Chairman and Chief Vision Officer, highlighted the company’s values:“We believe in people, and that is part of what brings us forward. Despite different cultures and distances, our family spirit is built on hard work, shared goals, and a belief in making a difference.”
The choice of Vienna also underlined Kenes’ long-standing partnership with the Vienna Convention Bureau. Anita Paic, Director, remarked: “Your contributions have profoundly shaped the global meetings and congress industry, playing a significant role in establishing Vienna as a leading meeting destination.”
Vienna was chosen not only for its historic and cultural significance but also to highlight Kenes’ long-standing partnership with the Vienna Convention Bureau.
A Brand for the Next Chapter
As part of its 60th anniversary, Kenes Group also unveiled a refreshed brand identity. The redesign keeps the company’s iconic red colour — a symbol of passion and energy — while introducing modern, organic shapes that reflect dynamism and forward-thinking spirit.
“At Kenes Group, we are always exploring new ways of disrupting and pioneering the industry, whether it is through how we develop our business, through our technological innovations, or our public image,” said Ori Lahav, CEO of Kenes Group. “Our new branding is a statement of both legacy and innovation, a tribute to the image that has accompanied countless event teams for decades and a fresh start of what we expect will be more decades to come, empowering knowledge with our leadership.”
The rebrand, developed over nearly a year with multiple design partners, underscores Kenes’ ambition to continue setting benchmarks in PCO, AMC, and CME services while expanding into new markets and innovative formats. Beyond a visual refresh, the brand identity signals a company that is ready to engage with the next generation of leaders, delegates, and partners.
Resilience Through Reinvention
While celebrating six decades is remarkable, Kenes views this milestone as a springboard to future growth. The company is investing in digital engagement platforms, exploring ESG initiatives, and creating new opportunities for associations to diversify revenue and foster year-round community engagement. Initiatives such as the Kenes Forest, which offsets business travel emissions through tree planting in Tanzania, illustrate how sustainability is being woven into operations and client solutions.
The future also lies in expanding association management services, using data-driven strategies to support financial stability and membership growth. By pairing decades of expertise with forward-thinking innovation, Kenes is helping associations strengthen their missions, diversify income, and navigate complex global environments.
As Dan Rivlin notes: “Our story is far from over. The next chapter will be written by the same values that have guided us for six decades: excellence, innovation, and a deep belief in the power of people to make a difference.”
Kenes Group’s 60-year journey is not just about corporate resilience. For associations, it serves as both inspiration and a practical roadmap. By embracing innovation, partnerships, digital engagement, and sustainability, associations can create lasting impact, diversify revenue streams, and ensure relevance for the next generation of members.
The mission to empower knowledge, connect people, and create impact remains at the core of Kenes Group’s ethos — a lesson that the work of building strong, sustainable communities is never finished but always evolving.
More information on Kenes on kenes-group.com