Australia and New Zealand Endovascular Therapies Annual Meeting
This is a technically demanding ‘live case’ meeting, featuring the real-time broadcast of surgical procedures from cath labs around the world. The Meeting has a strong strategic focus on interactive learning. Its dynamic multi-platform programme ranges from lectures and panel sessions to audience comment and discussion channels.
The Conference Company helped design and launch the inaugural Meeting, and has been responsible for all aspects of planning and delivery for every Meeting since.
Delegate numbers have doubled in that time, and in 2014, responding to demand, the Meeting was expanded from a two-day programme to three days. Long-term sponsors return year after year, and our sales team continue to secure new investors every Meeting.
A great success. I received nothing but overwhelmingly positive feedback.
Project in depth
Australia and New Zealand Endovascular Therapies Annual Meeting
The Challenge
ANZET is hosted by the Interventional Council of the Cardiac Society of Australia and New Zealand (CSANZ). Up until 2018 it has been held every year in Australia three days prior to CSANZ’s Annual Scientific Meeting (ASM). In 2018 the Meeting is co-located with the ASM.
CSANZ’s mission is to further the development of education, training, research and practice in cardiovascular medicine and surgery in Australasia. ANZET was founded in 2007 to cover more specialised topics than those of the Interventional stream of the ASM. The Conference Company organised the inaugural Meeting in 2007 and we have delivered every annual Meeting since. Since 2010 we have also managed the larger ASM, a well-established conference regularly attended by 1800 participants.
Since 2008, the Organising Committee has held two long-term goals for the ANZET Meeting: to improve patient outcomes post-intervention; and to establish ANZET as the leading interventional cardiology meeting in Asia Pacific.
The Solution
We consulted with the Organising Committee early on to develop a strategy focusing on interactive learning, and on building a Meeting brand among interventional specialists across Asia.
ANZET’s multi-platform educational programme comprises lectures, panel sessions, ‘factoid’ slides, audience polling and comment and discussion facilities. At the centre of this logistically demanding programme are a series of ‘live cases’, where interventional procedures are broadcast to the Meeting from cath labs (catherization laboratories) around the world. Since 2016 the Meeting has featured 12 live surgical procedures taking place at three hospitals, relayed in high definition via satellite or fibre and managed by specialised broadcast technicians.
To stimulate interest amongst Asia-Pacific professionals, faculty from the region feature in the scientific programme and, from time to time, Asian-based teams have presented live cases. Opportunities to debate and speak freely with invited faculty are a key feature of the Meeting, both in the sessions and during breaks.
We pay attention year on year to enhancing the interaction between delegates and the live case operating teams. We present new technologies to the Committee and propose refinements to existing tools. In 2015 improvements allowed delegates to more quickly and easily communicate comments and questions to the operating team lead and, via a moderator, to panel members in the conference room. Improvements have also been made to the polling facility that has been a feature of the programme for many years.
Over the years a ‘factoid’ repository has been created which shows the latest clinical trials and outcomes on individual slides. Slides are chosen for showing in the auditorium based on audience discussion in real time. With many engagement tools in action, the role of clinical moderator is now routinely part of our audio visual team.
As a result of our market research, we also introduced changes to the way sponsorship and exhibition packages are sold across the ANZET Meeting and its sister conference, CSANZ. In 2009, by uncoupling the sponsorship levels across the two events – making it possible to sponsor each Meeting at a different level – we were able to offer improved flexibility for investors and help drive sales. In 2011, by modifying the exhibition opening hours for the two consecutives, we were able to offer sponsors the option of using the same exhibition stand for each meeting, reducing exhibition stand costs and making a joint Meeting package more attractive. A combined offering was developed for 2018 in light of the co-location of the meetings.
The same logo has been used for many years to build brand identity and we make small changes from time to time to keep it fresh. The branding and associated messaging are designed to bring to life the highly collegial nature of the Meeting and the interactive learning that is central to its appeal.
The Outcome
Designing a programme that fully embraces interactive learning has generated positive feedback year after year. Former Convenor and Past President of CSANZ, Associate Professor Andrew MacIsaac of St Vincent’s Heart Centre in Melbourne, said to us:
“Thank you for all your efforts that made ANZET a great success. I received nothing but overwhelmingly positive feedback… I also believe that the meeting is beginning to have a significant impact on the practice of Interventional Cardiology in Australia and New Zealand and therefore beginning to achieve our major aim of improving the treatment of patients.”
Attendance at ANZET has grown significantly. Delegate numbers have nearly doubled since the inaugural meeting, and attendees from Asian countries continue to rise each year.
In 2014 a third day was added to the programme to accommodate delegates’ growing learning needs. Support from a core group of sponsors and exhibitors is strong and new entrants to the market feature at each Meeting.
ANZET’s co-location with the CSANZ ASM means delegates pay a ‘top-up’ registration fee to attend both meetings. The number of delegates attending both meetings continues to rise.
The same management team from The Conference Company has worked alongside the Organising Committee since 2007, building a deep and valued long-term partnership. Now in its twelfth year, ANZET continues to expand its reach into Asia and plans are underway for the next two Meetings. Learnings are continuously applied to ensure the Meeting is always innovating, staying relevant and attractive to participants and sponsors alike.
