After 28 years, the World Congress of Neurosurgery will be back to Latin America

After an ongoing five-year process, and competing with cities with vast experience in events, Bogotá won the bid to become the headquarters of the World Congress of Neurosurgery 2021 that will gather 8,000 leading neurosurgeons from around the world.

The World Association of Neurosurgery based in Switzerland, holds this world congress every four years in a different country. Among the criteria for choosing the destination is air connectivity, infrastructure and the role of the local Association in society. 2017’s edition will be held in Istanbul.

This achievement is truly significant not only for the country, but for Latin America as a whole, as it aims to implement a scholarship plan as part of its promise of value for young doctors in the region who wish to attend the meeting.

Bogotá in the Big Leagues

Through intense promotion and international relations strategy, the Greater Bogotá Convention Bureau worked together with Agora Bogotá, ProColombia, Barceló congresses, the Colombian Association of Neurosurgery and the Latin American Federation of Neurosurgery (FLANC) to position the Colombian capital in the industry’s “big leagues”.

The vote took place in Rome, under the "15 WFNS Interim Meeting" framework, where each participating city was expected to present its destination. Colombia gave a triumphant display, closing with the Carnival of Barranquilla, which was then followed by a 52% win for Bogotá according to the vote by representatives of each country’s association.

"Neurosurgery is the medical specialty that brings together professionals of the highest degree. By becoming hosts of such a significant global meeting, we prove that success is possible when all the city’s institutions work together. Bogotá is a destination accompanied by its own dynamic and features that make it unique and internationally attractive for the big leagues in the events industry," states Sandra Garcia, Executive Director of the Greater Bogotá Convention Bureau.

"With this win, Bogota helps Colombia advance as a destination for meetings and conferences, one of the tourist niches that have the highest impact on the country’s economy and development," states Maria Claudia Lacouture, president of ProColombia.

"This proves that strategic investment in infrastructure can transform wealth into development. The International Convention Centre Bogotá Agora will be ready in the first quarter of 2017, we have already proven that we are prepared to receive world-class events," emphasized Alexandra Torres, Director of Marketing and Sales for Agora Bogota.

According to Enrique Osorio, President of the Colombian Association of Neurosurgery, "This means a boost and acknowledgment for Colombian neurosurgery. This Congress has been held every four years for 60 years, and only twice has it been carried out in Latin America. It has not returned since 1993, when it was held in Acapulco (Mexico). "

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