Congress by design prepares for the future
Room for innovation
As of January 1, 2022, the management of Congress by design (Cbd) has changed. Niels Fundter has been appointed Managing Director and Maureen de Graauw as Operations Director. They are taking over from founder Nicolette van Erven, who is making room for the new generation. She will remain involved with Cbd in an advisory capacity and, as a board member of IAPCO (International Association of Professional Conference Organizers), will also maintain contacts with the international network. The change of guard was prompted by the changes in the market and the fact that Cbd joined the GMI Group.
A new way of working
The past two years have demanded an adjustment of the whole world and have especially meant a shift for the conference sector. "Hybrid working has become the new norm and this is also reflected in the way we organise congresses," says Niels Fundter. "Coming together live with an international group of scientists to share knowledge is no longer a given. Much more often, it is a hybrid form with live and online elements or a completely online conference. This requires a new way of working from us as a PCO, one that is even more about partnership and in which we fulfil our role as conference consultant."
