1st World Congress on Electroporation in Portorose

The St. Bernardin was the venue for the 1^st World Congress on Electroporation and Pulsed Electric Fields in Biology, Medicine and Food & Environmental Technologies (Electroporation as a phenomenon at the cellular level can be used in medicine, biology, biotechnology and environmental problems). The Congress took place at the Grand Hotel Bernardin Convention Centre from September 6^th to 10^th, 2015, and brought together scientists and users from different disciplines and possessing diverse expertise, all of whom are involved in basic research or are developing applications based on electroporation and the use of pulsed electric fields of high intensity. The organisers’ aim was to create the best environment for stimulating interdisciplinary interactions, presenting the latest achievements and demonstrating current knowledge.

Delegates with different budget options and possibilities, an intense programme with lots of parallel sessions (hence the need for breakout rooms and changes in set-ups), networking locations close to the main meeting room, on-the-spot communications and any additional needs / last minute changes.

The solution lies in the credentials: three hotels under one roof and a flexibly designed convention centre (integrated over two floors) that permits easy communication, a range of networking spaces, an exhibition space for sponsors and a poster session, the close proximity to Piran, and a daily short briefing check with the appointed staff.

The event managed to bring together scientists and users from different disciplines and possessing diverse expertise, all of whom are involved in basic research or are developing applications based on electroporation and the use of pulsed electric fields of high intensity. The Congress welcomed 400 participants from 42 countries spanning every continent who came together to present and share their knowledge over the days at St. Bernardin.

Professor Dr. Damijan Miklavcic, Chair of the COST TD1104 Action, Chair of the Department for Biomedical Engineering, Head of the Laboratory of Biocybernetics / University of Ljubljana, Faculty of Electrical Engineering: “The Convention Centre at the Grand Hotel Bernardin and Bernardin Group Hotels offered a great venue in which we were able to provide the best possible atmosphere for active participants, their spouses, researchers and industrial partners to present their latest scientific achievements, either in a form of lectures, posters or exhibitors’ stands. Congress participants were able to meet and discuss during poster sessions and coffee breaks, lunches and social events. The layout and infrastructure (including information system, halls and wireless network) offered easy accommodation to every participant. Young researchers, students, professors and industrial professionals were able to choose between differently priced rooms in close proximity. The hotel staff made us all feel very welcome and was willing to accommodate even our last minutes requests; they were flexible and demonstrated the highest possible professional behaviour. Even the smallest glitches were taken care of as soon as possible. The stunning scenery, weather, clean water and superb food made the 1^st World Congress on Electroporation and Pulsed Electric Fields in Biology, Medicine and Food & Environmental Technologies a memorable event not only for us – the organisers – but also for all of the participants.”