Across four days in May, four professional societies and more than 13,000 medical professionals came together for Digestive Disease Week (DDW) 2024 at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center in Washington, D.C.

"DDW is the premier event for professionals working in gastroenterology, hepatology, gastrointestinal endoscopy and surgery and related fields," says Ellen Silver, vice president, meetings and conventions for the American Gastroenterological Association (AGA).

The goal of DDW is multifaceted, Silver says, with a focus on education and knowledge sharing. Participants—including approximately 1,300 additional professionals who joined remotely—learned about the latest relevant science and research as well as new products, services and solutions while sharing patient-care strategies and earning continuing education credits.

By the numbers, Silver says, "the educational programming included 455 scientific sessions, 371 poster sessions (including 4,217 poster presentations), 93 ePoster sessions, two large postgraduate courses and a variety of breakfast and lunch courses."

Of course, with such a significant gathering, the professional networking opportunities were immense. Each of the four societies meeting for DDW—the AGA, the American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases, the American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy and the Society for Surgery of the Alimentary Tract—schedule their own presidential and award receptions, Silver says, in addition to committee meetings.

And the footprint of DDW isn’t limited to the convention center, with a housing block of 57 hotels and organizers also working with pharmaceutical and medical education companies to hold 18 satellite symposia.

The overall size and buzz across the trade show floor stood out to Silver this year with 317 exhibitors across more than 116,000 square feet boasting interactive exhibitor booth experiences, education and discussions with industry thought leaders. She was also excited by the level of participation in the Career Fair and Early Career and Trainee Lounge where attendees enjoyed a variety of games including pickleball.

Staff at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center also shined.

"Saturday is the first day of our meeting and it is a very busy day," Silver says. "Convention center staff plugged in their audio system and pitched in to help direct the masses of people to their destinations. In fact, the convention center staff consistently went above and beyond to make sure all onsite activities flowed."

Dianna Waldroup, director of convention services for Destination DC, says "witnessing the confidence and ease of the DDW planning team throughout the event" was a standout moment.

"Having partnered with DDW since 1997 and welcoming them to Washington, D.C., every three years, our goal is always to ensure a seamless experience for their team. This year, it was especially gratifying to see how smoothly they managed the event, even while introducing new elements into the meeting. Their calm and assured demeanor was a testament to our strong, collaborative partnership and thorough preparation."

AN ESSENTIAL PARTNERSHIP

Begun more than 50 years ago, DDW may operate like a well-oiled machine, but as any event professional knows, that doesn’t mean such gatherings are without their challenges—especially in 2024.

“As with most events, we are still recovering from the COVID-19 pandemic,” Silver says. “It’s an ongoing challenge making attendees feel comfortable traveling and meeting.”

Additional challenges of note this year include visa issues (which, Silver says, are improving), greater attendee and exhibitor expenses—likely a result of inflation as well as travel cost increases driven up by the leisure segment’s boom—and ongoing staffing issues across hospitality and retail.

“Also, hotels are smaller in Washington, D.C., than in other cities included in DDW’s rotation,” Silver says. “With smaller hotels, come smaller blocks and as a result there are many more hotels required.”

Overall, however, Washington, D.C. fit the bill.

“It offers the airline lift needed, making it an easy destination to get to for both domestic and international groups, ample hotels with sleeping rooms and meeting room space and diverse dining, event venues and cultural entertainment choices,” she says.

The area also offers a variety of sponsorship opportunities which, Silver notes, include three major airports, exterior signage on billboards and hotels and transportation offerings.

Beyond the impressive infrastructure, though, she credits her DMO partners for their assistance and guidance throughout the process.

“Destination DC is always a pleasure to work with,” Silver says. “They provided a flexible and responsive staff, helping to coordinate the contract process with the 57 hotels within the DDW housing block. Destination DC also helped facilitate building tours to accommodate the schedule of our group.”

With an eye on the attendee experience, Destination DC provided dining recommendations for guests to explore the destination’s renowned culinary scene and, importantly, worked with the U.S. Travel Association on the aforementioned visa challenges for international attendees.

“Working with a CVB or DMO is crucial to the success of an event due to their deep knowledge of the destination,” Destination DC’s Waldroup says. “They serve as invaluable partners, offering insights and expertise on local hotels, venues and services, helping to navigate potential challenges more efficiently. Additionally, DMOs act as strong advocates for event organizers, ensuring they have access to all relevant city resources and information. This support enhances the overall event planning process and ensures that attendees have a seamless, optimized experience in the destination.”