Pharma Forum EMEA 2024: Key Insights And Takeaways

Our team from France, Italy, the UK, and the US gathered in Amsterdam, Netherlands for Pharma Forum EMEA 2024. It was the second post-pandemic forum of its kind, and we came away inspired by the discussions.

Some standout lessons and insights we brought home:

1. Compliance Complexity Keeps Growing

Compliance rules continue to grow, making it harder to understand which ones apply to your meeting. Take the French meal cap for Healthcare Professionals (HCPs), is it €50 or €60? The €60 cap is set by the industry code, but the €50 is the cap for “quick” approval by The French National Medical Council (CNOM).  Anything over €50 (up to €60) requires a longer approval process. The takeaway? Take the time to understand the compliance requirements that apply to your meeting.

2. AI: Do Believe The Hype

AI is a big topic in the industry right now. Many companies are starting to use it in real ways. It helps with decisions, engages audiences, and makes events better through automation and new ideas. Security and data protection remain priorities. Whether it fears or excites you, don’t get left behind.

3. Culture Matters

We must deepen our understanding of the different cultures we all work with. Look beyond your own perspective to expand your world view and improve your relationships with colleagues and clients. Understand that communication styles vary and make the effort to hear what others are (or are not) saying.

4. Patient-Centric Approach

We heard from a patient speaker about the importance of including a diverse patient view into your meetings. A patient-centric approach prioritizes patient experience. Bringing their voices to the forefront and fostering collaborative healthcare solutions.

5. Sustainability Is Still A Priority

Sustainability may not be the headline in the event space at this moment, but that doesn’t mean it’s going away! From cutting waste to reducing travel and energy use, creating sustainable events is about making environmentally responsible choices without compromising quality.

6. ROI Doesn’t Have To Be Perfect

Measuring the return on investment or engagement for events doesn’t have to be complicated.  Simple methods, like pre-and post-event surveys to gauge shifts in attitudes or knowledge, can provide valuable insights. The important thing is to make a start, even if it only provides general insights rather than perfect data.

7. No One-Size-Fits-All Approach

When it comes to developing or refining a meetings program, there’s no single path. Learning from others’ experiences can offer helpful insights or ideas. But every program needs to be tailored to its unique context. The key is to stay open to inspiration and adaptable in execution.

Our teams are looking forward to continuing the conversation at 2025’s Pharma Forums in the US and EMEA!

Originally published Nov 28, 2024 7:00:00 AM