20 years Congress by design

In 2026, Congress by design celebrates its 20th anniversary. Not with a retrospective, but with a year full of initiatives that highlight how science, human connection, and well-designed conferences can drive progress. Under the tagline When science connects, Congress by design reaffirms its role as a strategic congress partner, translating scientific encounters into lasting impact for a better, more sustainable, healthier, and more connected world.

Since its founding in 2006, Congress by design has developed into a specialised PCO with a clear focus: creating meaningful encounters that move science forward. In 2026, as part of the GMI Collective and based in Alphen aan den Rijn, Congress by design is firmly looking ahead. Now more than ever, the value of science and international knowledge exchange is essential. Conferences are not an endpoint, but a catalyst for new insights, interdisciplinary collaboration, and accelerated solutions to societal challenges in the fields of health, sustainability, and safety.

When science connects: strategy and promise
When science connects forms the foundation of the multi-year strategy and is the central theme of the anniversary year. “Science is the foundation of progress,” says Operations Director Maureen de Graauw. “As a PCO, we contribute to this by designing conferences where true cross-pollination occurs. A thoughtfully designed conference sparks new thinking, connects worlds, and creates space for both new questions and answers. That requires more than logistics; it demands vision, design, and partnership.”

This approach is reflected in sustainable meeting design choices, long-term collaborations with scientific associations, academic institutions and cities, and a strong focus on the legacy of conferences for local communities and professional networks.

Anniversary year built on four pillars
In 2026, Congress by design celebrates 20 years of impact with a year shaped by four pillars: Knowledge, Dedication, Partnership, and Future. This year puts the spotlight on the people and organisations who help make progress possible: clients and scientific associations, early-career researchers, cities and convention bureaus, suppliers, and other partners within the conference domain.

“We want to show that impact is always the result of collaboration,” says De Graauw. “By sharing knowledge, showing commitment, and continuing to innovate together, we build conferences that reach beyond the event itself. We do so with an eye on sustainability and social responsibility, including our ambition to become B Corp certified. Dedication and passion for the conference profession is what drives and connects us. Together, we continue to create encounters that matter today and in the future. When science connects, anything is possible.”