Pig production faces significant challenges in the future, related to the availability of resources, climate effects, and the health of both humans and animals. DPP (Digestive Physiology of Pigs) is committed to bringing together science and industry to learn from each other and from the latest scientific insights. They do this every three years, with the event being organised in a different country each time. The symposium is considered the most important global scientific event in the field of pig nutrition and gut physiology, covering endocrinology, immunology, microbiology, and health, and also using pig physiology as a model for human digestion. After the last congress in 2018 in Australia, the fifteenth edition was scheduled for 2020 in the Netherlands. Things turned out differently.
650
Participants
Hybrid
Format
4 days
Duration
Rotterdam
Location
By design
Preparations for this live congress were in full swing when COVID-19 disrupted all in-person meetings. The Local Organisation Committee (LOC)’s preference was for a live event. Postponement to May 2022 was the first step to achieve this;hHowever, this remained uncertain for a long time. As conference advisors, this meant we had to devise and calculate multiple scenarios. What would we do if speakers became infected? Or if many participants suddenly could not attend? This required flexible logistics and solutions from all sides. We devised a 'hybrid light' congress, which was also sustainable as it saved on travel kilometers. We chose to pre-record the presentations of (infected) speakers who were not allowed to travel. During the congress, these presentations were shown while the speakersthemselves were available via a Zoom connection to answer questions and engage in discussions. This way, the principle of knowledge sharing and meeting each other was still possible.
Result
DPP is a niche group within science with passionate academics who were eager to meet each other again. We aimed for 500 participants and ended up hosting 650. Both live and online, as there were still many infections among participants in May 2022 but because we had prepared a hybrid variant, everything went smoothly, and we could quickly adapt. The LOC had everything well-organised content-wise so weprimarily relieved them by continuously thinking about flexible logistical solutions. This also applied to the use of the location, De Doelen as the congress was using spaces on various levels. We devised a smart routing, fun sign-posting with posters, and a good reception at the entrance. Everyone looks back on a fun and educational congress, where it was a celebration for the participants to see each other again. The reactions during and afterwards were very enthusiastic. Ranging from 'great networking' to 'very helpful in formulating the future'.
