ISBT Barcelona
Following a welcome return to in-person congresses in 2023 (with two regional congresses), in June 2024, Barcelona hosted the first in-person international ISBT congress since 2018.
The scientific programme for Barcelona was carefully planned by Jason Acker (Scientific Secretary), with assistance from Lin Fung and Jill Storry (ISBT Vice-Presidents), Eszter Herczenik (Scientific Officer) and Jenny White (Executive Director). The programme also benefitted from the valuable input of the local organising committee from the Spanish Society of Transfusion Medicine (SETS) and excellent administrative support from MCI.
38th International Congress of the ISBT in Barcelona, Spain, 23-27 June 2024
There were 3300 delegates from over 100 different countries
The Barcelona congress was held in collaboration with SETS, and with SETS President, Luis Larrea, and ISBT President, Michel Busch, as Congress co-Presidents. The congress was exceptionally well attended with over 3300 delegates from over 100 different countries.
The programme included a well-attended local Day (conducted in Spanish), an educational Academy Day, plenary lectures, invited and abstract oral presentations, interactive ‘’fireside chat’’ sessions. There were nine interactive workshops, 780 posters, nine industry sponsored symposia, networking events, a large exhibition, a fun run beside the beach and a very successful congress party.
The congress also the venue for ISBT society and working party business meetings, and an exploratory session to establish the scope of a proposed new WP for Basic Transfusion Biology.
The Presidential Award and Jean Julliard Prize were granted and presented in dedicated sessions following exceptional award lectures by the recipients. The Developing countries award, two ISBT awards and the Vox Best paper prize were presented at the opening ceremony as detailed here.
