Eurotox 2023 in Ljubljana - the power of international collaboration and sustainable event planning

First time in Ljubljana

This marked the first time the Slovenian Society of Toxicology had the privilege of hosting an EUROTOX congress, a triumph largely attributed to the exceptional leadership of Dr. Lucija Perharič, Chair of the Local Organizing Committee. While Ljubljana was originally chosen to host the event in 2019 with a scheduled congress in 2021, the global pandemic necessitated a postponement to 2023.

Sustainability at the core of the event

Under the captivating theme of “Toxicology – multidisciplinary science leading to safer and sustainable life,” Ljubljana proved to be the perfect (green) canvas for this remarkable event. With sustainability deeply ingrained in the city’s ethos, having been named the European Green Capital in 2016 and earning a coveted spot on the Global Top 100 Sustainable Destinations list for eight consecutive times, it’s clear that sustainability is part of the city’s DNA.

Sustainability was also at the core of this year's EUROTOX congress. Some of the green practices used were the following: public transport was free of charge for all cogress's participants; the event was entirely paperless with all important information and event's programme only available in the official mobile app. Furthermore, water for the attendees was available from a high-quality pipe instead of plastic bottles. The official event catering was provided by Jezeršek Catering, a local company who ensured that all packaging used was sustainable and environmentally friendly.

Experience, talent and professionalism behind the scenes

The success of EUROTOX 2023 can also be attributed to the exceptional team effort led by the Professional Congress Organiser, K.I.T. Group GmbH from Dresden, who upheld the highest standards of experience, talent, professionalism, and passion. 

The GR-Ljubljana Exhibition and Convention Centre itself proved to be an ideal venue for the congress, offering well-lit joined halls, 3,500 square meters of exhibition space adjacent to the plenary hall, and ample breakout rooms, totaling an impressive 12,000 square meters. With this layout, the event achieved a record-breaking industry and poster exhibition, featuring 81 exhibitors and approximately 600 posters.

Hosting big congresses inevitably impacts energy consumption, but the venue was extremely well-prepared with its own solar power plant, marking a significant stride towards energy self-sufficiency and a reduced carbon footprint for such events.

Behind the scenes, the dedicated team at GR-Ljubljana Exhibition and Convention Centre showcased their expertise in seamlessly managing the congress, meeting the unique needs of delegates, and earning the full trust of the organizers.

In summary

EUROTOX 2023 in Ljubljana was a testament to the power of international collaboration and sustainable event planning. With the support of dedicated professionals and a commitment to eco-friendly practices, the event left a lasting impact on both its attendees and the historical yet vibrant city of Ljubljana.