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Introduction
The Royal College of Physicians (RCP) is a membership organisation that aims to improve global healthcare through education and examinations. Each year, it invites healthcare professionals to its annual conference, Medicine. Across two days, delegates enjoy clinical updates, hands-on learning, and networking. Last year, Medicine 2023 took place on 30-31 March and made full use of our venue, RCP London Events.
Programme
Medicine 2023 brought healthcare professionals (HCP) together to learn as a community.
As the organisation's biggest event of the year, it was important that the sessions provided the latest updates from medical experts and industry experts to provide high-quality content.
Across the two days, delegates enjoyed over 30 hours of live content, 17 workshops, an abstract competition, wellbeing sessions and networking opportunities.
Working with RCP London Events' in-house AV team, all sessions were recorded and published online, and post-event on-demand access was made available to all delegates for 90 days after the event, so they could access it at a time and place that suited them.
Delegates could earn up to 32 continuing professional development credits (CPD) from watching the main programme content, up to 14 CPD credits from watching the early release videos and 1-2 CPD credits from attending each workshop.
The event organisers also offered a wellbeing programme during the event, to give delegates a chance to network with others and take a break from the clinical content. Activities included massages, an art workshop, a morning walk club and more.
Sustainability
In 2022, Medicine focused on showcasing the RCP as a friendly, inclusive organisation that is accessible to everyone. Thanks to this, Medicine 2022 won Silver for ‘Best UK Conference (over 1000 attendees)’ at the Conference and Events Awards 2023.
The theme of Medicine 2023 was sustainability. In addition to clinical learning, speakers explored the climate crisis and its impact on healthcare.
Delegates heard from leading experts and discussed ways in which they can make a better health climate together.
At the conference, the RCP also launched a new position paper setting out their view on healthcare sustainability and climate change.
Tackling the climate crisis as an individual is intimidating. So, at Medicine 2023, the organisers focused on the small steps we can all take that will add up to big change. For example, they created a ‘Med23 seeds’ loyalty card on the back of the name badges, which included a list of activities that would help to improve delegates’ understanding of the climate crisis.
Each activity needed to be ticked off and a completed card was rewarded with a prize. To link into the theme of sustainability, the team also organised smoothie bikes which were available throughout the two days.
Delegates and staff rode a stationary bike which produced electricity and turned on the blender. Delegates chose their fruit and took turns making their own fresh smoothies.
This was a fun way to demonstrate how much energy is required for everyday tasks!
Venue
The event took place utilising 14 RCP London Events spaces including the Dorchester Library, Council Chamber, and Medicinal Garden. Our team supported the organising team and ensured that every space within the venue was best utilised to welcome delegates and offer them the best experience possible.
The flexibility and adaptability of the venue also meant that various activities could be spread across the building.
Panel sessions and talks were hosted in the Wolfson Theatre, Dorchester Library, Council Chamber and Seligman Theatre and live streamed for all delegates attending the conference to enjoy online. Catering was served in the Lasdun Hall, Lower Hall and Platt Room, and the Osler Room. The workshops and hand-on sessions were run in the Linacre and Sloane Rooms. Finally, the wellbeing sessions were run in the Willan Room and the Heberden Room, both located on the venue’s second floor.
The event organisers also utilised the venue’s outdoor areas by organising a walk in Regent’s Park and an art workshop in front of the Medicinal Garden. This was a great way for delegates to enjoy some fresh air and nature in between sessions, putting a real focus on wellbeing.
Catering
Medicine 2023’s focus on sustainability aligned perfectly with the RCP’s overall ethos and values as well as with our continuous efforts and commitment to operate in a sustainable, green way across our operations.
We were delighted to assist the organisers in ensuring this yearly conference was as sustainable as possible, starting from the catering served at the event.
Our catering partners Company of Cooks (part of CH&Co group) made the organisation of refreshments and meals seamless.
Following this year’s theme of sustainability, they organised a vegan menu and offered recommendations based on the timing of the schedule and the spaces being used.
Across the two days arrival refreshments included a selection of pastries, apple bircher pots, yoghurt pots, chia seed pots, smoothies or mini muffins along with tea, coffee and water. Snacks were provided throughout the conference such as a selection of fresh fruit, flapjack, brownie bites, berry crumble slice and carrot cake. Delegates were offered a range of main meals and desserts:
- Tandoori tempeh kathi roll, peppers and mango chutney
- BBQ pulled jackfruit bun and slaw
- Grilled ciabatta, courgettes, aubergines, mascarpone, pesto, and basil
- Crispy squash burger with Asian slaw and siracha mayonnaise
- Roasted new potatoes with herb oil
- Sweet potato wedges
- Chef's vegan salads
- Roasted roots with maple and parsley
- Coleslaw
- Vegan panna cotta
- Lemon posset
Catering also included use of the garden pizza oven for freshly made pizzas during the evening drinks reception hosted on the evening of the first day.
Technology
The venue’s technology was used for lecture-style presentations, hands-on workshops and digital signage. The event was live streamed to a large online audience, which was made possible by the venue’s technical capabilities.
Results
Over 1,400 delegates attended Medicine 2023 – the most attendees at the conferences to date!
Attendees came from 26 countries. The top 3 countries delegates travelled from were India, Australia and the Republic of Ireland.
Approximately 53% of attendees were at consultant level, 19% were trainees or students.
The organisers also received the most entries to its abstract competition that it ever had. 202 research abstracts were submitted and 178 were short-listed. 88 authors gave presentations on their entries at the conference.
"The RCP London Events team provided a wealth of knowledge that was key to supporting the planning and delivery of our Medicine 2023 conference. The team were forthcoming with ideas and innovative solutions to suit the sustainability theme of the event, from a meat free menu to digital alternatives to support with waste free logistics. The high-quality venue steeped in history provided the perfect setting for our delegates, with the successful collaboration allowing us to not only meet but exceed our delegates expectations. The quality of refreshments on offer was well received by all, and the venue was well managed in every aspect."
Laura Robinson, Head of Conferences for the Events and Marketing team at RCP
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