I guess most people know the song ‘Wonderful Copenhagen’ sung by Danny Kaye in the film ‘HC Andersen’ from 1952 – and that the title was taken as the name of the capital’s official tourism organization.
Restart of conference tourism
But few will be aware that Wonderful Copenhagen is a key partner for the Medicon Valley life science cluster. It works tirelessly to specifically attract life science-related conferences to the region.
Clearly, it is a boost for tourism when thousands of doctors, researchers and other life science specialists fly in, book accommodation and spend time and money in the region.
Meanwhile, there is a dire need for a post-pandemic restart of the conference sector, which is dominated by life sciences. It is a sector that previously had a turnover of around DKK 1.1 billion a year and employs the equivalent of 1,500 full-time employees.
Supreme network
It’s not just about the money. These conferences are also leverage to create long-term positive impact on society.
They help to put Denmark, Danish life science and Medicon Valley on the global map, which is also a key element in the national Danish life science strategy.
Furthermore, the conferences achieve scientific cross-fertilization, which ensures that both public and private life science research and development and innovation are at the forefront.
Smaller local life science companies – including those located across the Sound in Sweden – will have easier access to the global research and investor community than would be the case if the conferences were located elsewhere.
Going among us
You may not recognize the thousands of conference participants. After all, doctors do not wear lab coats or stethoscopes outside the ‘office’. But do not be surprised if you come across a few life science conference participants this year.
In May, up to 5,000 guests are expected to visit Copenhagen to attend the meeting of the European Society for Radiotherapy & Oncology. In early June, 10,000 visitors are expected at the annual European Congress of Rheumatology, and a little later that month, the European Federation of Periodontology will host a conference at the Bella Center with 8,000 expected participants.
All of these visitors will spend a significant amount of money, but perhaps more importantly, they are likely to become ambassadors for our wonderful city, helping to attract not only even more tourists, but possibly more life science talents as well.
Source: The Nordic Page