Costa Rica was chosen to host the World Congress of Veterinary Medicine, which will be held from April 27th to 30th next year. This is a unique experience for veterinarians from all branches of the profession worldwide to meet and explore the challenges facing the health and welfare of animals. The participation of some 1,500 people is expected, who will listen to 62 speakers from around the world.
It is important that Costa Ricans know that the organizers of international congresses first choose the destination (in this case Costa Rica) and, once the country is confirmed, they choose what will be the venue; then the suppliers that will do the operative work, among others logistical issues.
“For the site selection of this Congress, the synergy of several institutions was key and we The National Center for Congresses and Conventions (CNCC) came to make our contribution. We are working strategically to continue contributing with the other institutions so that our country has more and more of these events”, indicated the General Manager of the CNCC, Álvaro Rojas.
The National Center for Congresses and Conventions (CNCC), located on a 10-hectare site, had its opening in a special event that included the participation of the -at that time- President of the Republic, Luis Guillermo Solís, and the Minister of Tourism, Mauricio Ventura. President Solis said that the concretion of the Center is a sample of how to defeat skepticism and place the opportunity at the center of all efforts. In addition, he spoke of the fact that new challenges will come to achieve the best benefit of convention tourism, and that at that stage is set.
The work of the private sector is fundamental
For Gustavo Alvarado, Director of Tourism Management for the ICT, it is pleasant news that shows the first results of the promotional efforts made in the Congresses and Conventions segment to attract major international events. “The possibility of capturing a world congress of this kind contributes to reinforcing Costa Rica’s positioning in this segment by proving that we have the ideal conditions to receive this type of event, a committed private sector with a high level of quality in the provision of services and we have a country with enviable geographic conditions and proximity to the varied tourist attractions that will complement the experience of tourists in this segment”.
The scientific program of the event will have 3 main areas: public health, academia, and clinical medicine. In addition, sessions will be held related to topics such as wildlife, minor species, horses, boiatric and regenerative medicine.
According to the organizers, to date the registration of professionals from Germany, India, Italy, Chile, Brazil, England, United States, Argentina, Scotland, Canada, Mexico, Holland, Panama, Nigeria, Venezuela, and Uganda. Peru has been confirmed, also Uruguay, Japan, Korea, and Costa Rica.
For us, as a country, this is an opportunity for local veterinary medicine to implement strategies and knowledge of the highest global standards, as well as the possibility of innovating and improving the services offered to society.
The Convention Center is a member of the Convention Bureau, which allows developing work in key research and analysis to strengthen the image of the country, as a possible destination for national and international conferences.
The Convention Center of Costa Rica is located in Barreal de Heredia which was inaugurated on April 5th after an investment of US$ 35 million. Occupying an area of 15,600 square meters, it has a capacity to accommodate up to 5,600 people in all its rooms. It has versatile spaces for 10 people up to 4,000 people in plenary and 1,000 parking spaces.
The 10-hectare site has 3 rooms of different dimensions divisible into several areas, 6 meeting rooms, a press room, a VIP room, a kitchen area, and other spaces. The Convention Center of Costa Rica is a building of the Costa Rican Tourism Institute, managed by the private company Grupo Heroica Volio y Trejos.
The organization and logistics of the Congress of the World Veterinary Association 2019 will be in charge of COMEXP, a Costa Rican company of Professional Congress Organizer (OPC), which has a track record of almost 30 years in the development of this type of project. Up to date, it has organized more than 600 successful events throughout Latin America.
For COMEXP, having a world-class infrastructure such as the Convention Center is of great satisfaction since, undoubtedly, it will attract new projects and facilitate the realization of this type of activities in the country, with the consequent benefit of professionals from the different areas, the development of new businesses and the influx of tourism.
