Dusseldorf positions itself as a global hub for healthcare innovation with ICCA future of healthcare meetings 2025
From 1 to 3 October 2025, Düsseldorf will host the prestigious "ICCA Future of Healthcare Meetings" (FHCM) at the CCD Congress Center Düsseldorf. Organised by the International Congress and Convention Association (ICCA), this event is recognised as a pivotal global platform shaping the future of conferences within the health and life sciences sectors. Düsseldorf Convention, in partnership with ICCA, will welcome international experts and stakeholders, consolidating the city’s position as a key international hub for healthcare meetings.
The choice of Düsseldorf as the venue underscores the city's strategic focus on the healthcare sector. According to Maria Kofidou, Managing Director of Düsseldorf Congress GmbH, the city benefits from an excellent health infrastructure, a robust scientific community, and state-of-the-art event technology—all factors that make it highly attractive to both national and international professional associations. Jens Ihsen, Managing Director of Visit Düsseldorf and Director of Düsseldorf Convention, highlighted the importance of such events for raising Düsseldorf’s profile globally in the congress market and for injecting innovative momentum into its healthcare sector. ICCA CEO Dr Senthil Gopinath added that the "Future of Healthcare Meetings" is a cornerstone of ICCA’s strategy to foster innovation, collaboration, and knowledge exchange, with Düsseldorf’s vibrant ecosystem making it an ideal host for these critical industry conversations.
The FHCM programme is designed to stimulate collaboration and the exchange of expertise at the nexus of healthcare and event management. Keynotes include Dr Stephan Martin, Director of the West German Diabetes and Health Centre and Chief of Diabetology at the Catholic Clinics Düsseldorf, alongside Dr David Matusiewicz, Dean for Health and Social Affairs at FOM University. Dr Matusiewicz will discuss the transformative potential of digitalisation on healthcare meetings. Notably, the conference also features a session led by students from DHBW Ravensburg and Hochschule Düsseldorf, supported by experts in event innovation, reflecting a strong emphasis on nurturing the next generation of business events professionals. Additional innovative elements include the "Speed Dating with a Purpose" networking format, as well as cultural experiences like guided city tours and receptions at iconic Düsseldorf venues, such as the Uerige Brewery and the K21 Ständehaus art museum.
Düsseldorf’s role as a centre for healthcare congresses is well established, with the city hosting numerous sector-specific events in 2025, including the Women’s Doctors Congress, Ophthalmologists Congress, Allergy Days, and the German Pharmacists’ Day. The Messe Düsseldorf site will hold major trade fairs such as RehaCare, Expopharm, and the globally recognised MEDICA health market exhibition. The city’s ongoing attractiveness to a wide range of medical and scientific societies, spanning specialties from rheumatology to neurorehabilitation, is a testament to its comprehensive infrastructure and collaborative environment. Plans for the 2026 Annual Congress of the ADKA—Federal Association of German Hospital Pharmacists—further reinforce Düsseldorf’s growing appeal as a healthcare meeting destination.
A critical advantage for hosting healthcare events in Düsseldorf lies in the expertise of the CCD Congress Center team in managing sector-specific compliance requirements. The centre's extensive knowledge of regulatory standards, especially those relevant to international healthcare congresses, ensures that Düsseldorf remains a preferred location, particularly for associations governed by strict codes of conduct and operational mandates. This, combined with the centre's proximity to the airport and integration into a network of clinics, research institutions, and universities, makes it well-suited to events of varying scales and complexities.
Ahead of the main conference days, a specialised pre-conference programme for association leaders on 30 September and 1 October will include a welcome reception, a site visit to the Merkur Spiel-Arena, tours of Düsseldorf’s Old Town and the Euref-Campus, and a detailed inspection of the CCD Congress Center facilities. These experiences are designed to provide visiting delegates with valuable insights into the venue and city offerings, enriching their participation.
The FHCM agenda prioritises discussion on how healthcare meetings impact clinical practice and patient care, with sessions exploring themes such as incorporating patient voices, financial sustainability in healthcare conferencing, and the role digitalisation plays in transforming medical events. The conference encourages interactive dialogue and collaboration among healthcare professionals, association executives, and event organisers, creating a dynamic environment for innovation and strategic development in healthcare meetings.
Registration is open to ICCA members, observers, and healthcare association executives, with selected fully hosted places sponsored by Düsseldorf available via application. The event offers structured networking and collaborative opportunities for healthcare associations keen to refine their congress strategies and extend their global reach.
By hosting FHCM 2025, Düsseldorf not only recognises its capacity and excellence as a healthcare meeting destination but also signals its commitment to driving the future of healthcare and life sciences conferences on an international scale.
