IBC 2019: Amsterdam hosts the world’s most influential media convention
10 July 2025
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EASL Congress 2025: driving global liver health with local impact in Amsterdam
Updated 28 May 2025 at 13:32
From 7 to 10 May 2025, Amsterdam hosted the European Association for the Study of the Liver (EASL) Congress, welcoming over 8,000 delegates to RAI Amsterdam. Over four days, leading experts in hepatology and healthcare came together to share research and explore new approaches to liver care. Through close collaboration between EASL, the Amsterdam Convention Bureau (ACB), RAI Amsterdam, and Amsterdam UMC, the international congress extended beyond the venue with two key impact initiatives for the Amsterdam community.
A shared commitment to public impact
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EASL is one of the world’s leading scientific societies in liver research and care, bringing together experts from over 120 countries each year to address liver disease through innovation, education, and policy. In the Netherlands alone, an estimated 2 million people are affected by fatty liver disease, with 400,000 at risk of developing serious liver damage or liver cancer, according to Dr. Bart Takkenberg of Amsterdam UMC.
In this context, EASL was eager to deliver a locally relevant impact programme for the 2025 Congress to ensure a tangible, lasting impact. The Amsterdam Convention Bureau played a central role in facilitating collaboration between EASL and the city’s leading research institutions to guide the development of two impact initiatives: a youth educational outreach program and public liver testing at the RAI Amsterdam.
Co-creation in Amsterdam: how collaboration for impact works
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The co-creation process began well ahead of the congress, with ACB initiating early conversations to align on shared goals. Working closely with EASL, Amsterdam UMC, RAI Amsterdam, and local schools, ACB helped coordinate every step:
- Securing ten participating schools to arrange classroom visits by Dr. Bart Takkenberg
- Supporting logistics for three public testing units at the RAI Amsterdam
- Aligning communication campaigns across the city
- Facilitating a city-wide awareness campaign through local media and public outreach
At the heart of the initiative was an understanding of the importance of preventative care in liver health.
It starts with listening. We sit down early with organisers to understand their mission, then work with our local network to translate that vision into meaningful action in Amsterdam - both during the event and beyond.
Dennis Speet, ACB Director
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Prevention through education: reaching the next generation
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For liver health awareness, one of the most important tenants is that education is prevention. This is the mission which brought EASL’s “Love Your Liver” outreach programme into Amsterdam’s classrooms for the very first time, following successful runs in London and Vienna.
Developed in partnership with ACB and local schools, the programme was designed to raise awareness of liver health among young people. Doctors visited classrooms across the Amsterdam Area to engage students in interactive lessons about liver function, disease prevention, and healthy choices.
Led by Dr. Bart Takkenberg from Amsterdam UMC, the sessions included presentations, poster-making activities, and a quiz to reinforce learning. Students from years 7 and 8 had the rare opportunity to speak directly with medical professionals and learn about the importance of liver health.
Early detection can prevent many health problems, especially since liver diseases are often only diagnosed at an advanced stage. By educating young people, we can help create healthier habits for life.
Dr Takkenberg, Amsterdam UMC
Liver health for all: free testing at the RAI
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To complement the classroom outreach, EASL launched a free liver testing campaign open to all Amsterdam residents. From 6 to 10 May, residents were invited for a non-invasive, 10-minute FibroScan test at the RAI Amsterdam - no appointment needed. The tests, which measured liver fat and stiffness, were conducted in custom-built tiny houses outside the congress centre. Trained professionals provided on-the-spot assessments, with participants receiving immediate results and follow-up explanations from doctors and nurses.
The response from the public was enthusiastic. A testament to the value of accessible preventive care - and showing how international conferences like EASL can deliver real, immediate value to the cities that host them.
The Amsterdam Convention Bureau has really helped us make this project a success by helping us mount a comprehensive communications campaign and by connecting us with really important local players in the community.
Maraika Geisterfer-Black; Policy, Public Health & Advocacy Manager EASL
Building a legacy of health in Amsterdam
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EASL Congress 2025 demonstrated how medical meetings can extend far beyond the venue. Through close collaboration between EASL, ACB, and Amsterdam’s healthcare and education sectors, the congress left a meaningful mark on the city: raising awareness, delivering preventive care, and engaging the next generation in health education.
For the Amsterdam Convention Bureau, it’s a powerful example of how international conferences can contribute to broader social goals - fostering not just knowledge exchange, but also potentially life-saving local impact. As Amsterdam continues to welcome global events, this model of co-creation and community engagement offers a blueprint for building a healthier future for all.
But that doesn’t happen by accident. CVBs are in a unique position to connect the dots: we know the local ecosystem, we know the city’s needs, and we can bridge the gap between global conference goals and local action.
Dennis Speet, ACB Director
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