The Ambassador’s Club and Québec City Convention Centre team spoke with ambassador Marc Pouliot about the upcoming 16th World Congress on Inflammation (WCI2024) in July 2024. Organized by the International Association of Inflammation Societies (IAIS), this is only the second time this biennial congress has been held in Canada since the 2003 edition in Vancouver.
What’s your involvement in bringing this major life sciences conference to Québec City?
I chair the WCI2024 Local Organizing Committee with five other colleagues from the Canadian university sector, including Dr. Serge Rivest, also a researcher at CHU de Québec-Université Laval. It was in London in 2017 that we presented our bid to attract the event to Québec City, with the help of the dynamic team at the Ambassador’s Club and the Québec City Convention Centre.
How many scientists are expected to attend WCI2024?
The event will attract to Québec City over 600 researchers and scientists from universities, biotech, pharmaceutical and medical device companies from around the globe. The latest advances in inflammation will be presented to delegates. WCI2024 represents a fantastic networking opportunity for our community—all while contributing to the development of life sciences and our field of research.
Can you tell us about the support and services offered by the Ambassadors’ Club and the Québec City Convention Centre?
Organizing an international convention can seem daunting, but fortunately, the Ambassadors’ Club and Québec City Convention Centre are invaluable partners throughout the process. From the preparation of our bid to the dismantling of the hall at the end of our event, not to mention the financial support programs, they put everything in place to facilitate the event planning and maximize its potential. I collaborated with the Ambassadors’ Club for the Neutrophile international symposium, held in Québec City in 2018, and, thanks to their support, I have no worries that WCI2024 will be a great success too!
Would you recommend organizing an international congress in Québec City to a colleague in the life sciences?
Absolutely! Organizing an international convention is an enriching experience that allows us to explore new horizons at the heart of our research sector and broaden the scope of our expertise. It’s also an excellent opportunity to have our expertise recognized by the rest of the world, something I don’t think we do enough of. If you’re an active association member and believe in Québec City’s potential as a convention destination, you’ve already got what it takes!
Do you have any exclusives to share with us for WCI2024?
At WCI2024, we will present some prestigious awards, including one for career achievement, and another to recognize the contribution of women in research. We also plan to pay tribute to one of our great researchers here in Québec City. All this will be unveiled soon.
