Our involvement began in 2017 when we, together with KNCV and the World Forum, worked on the bid awarded during the IUPAC Congress in Sao Paulo. Subsequently, as the PCO, we got to work on the logistical organisation, onsite management, participant registration, abstract management, support with faculty management, the online platform, the congress app, and the gala dinner. The main challenges were dealing with changes in the world around us. COVID-19 and the war in Ukraine had a significant impact on the daily organisation of the congress. Price increases, hesitant participants and sponsors were issues we had to face. Additionally, it was a beautiful challenge to find ways to breathe life into the rich, yet packed, programme. To tackle these challenges and achieve the goals, we deployed our own Meeting Design Tool. During a strategic and creative session, we helped the organising committee come to a widely supported goal that extended beyond merely exchanging knowledge. We also came up with ideas to make the theme 'Connecting Chemical Worlds' visible and tangible. It all started on stage with presidents shaking hands - a simple yet powerful sign of connection. They then encouraged everyone in the audience to do the same with their neighbors, linking us all together. At the entrance of the congress, there was a large world map where participants could mark their country of origin. A total of seventy!
