The ERS International Congress 2023 is soon approaching and we at ELF are looking forward to welcoming everyone who is planning to attend either onsite in Milan or virtually. In anticipation of the ERS Congress, here is an outline of all our events at Congress and we will answer some frequently asked questions that are specific to ELF and patient representatives.
For general practical information about attending Congress please visit the ERS’s dedicated webpage.
The ERS International Congress 2023 is taking place in the Allianz MiCo Milano Convention Centre. This is a very large venue and, while everything is well-signposted, it can be easy to get lost. We have created this map of the Congress centre that is clearly annotated with the locations relevant to patient representatives, including the ELF World Village stand, the Patient organisation networking day location, places to sit, and other facilities.
The World Village is a dedicated space for Congress attendees to gather, strengthen existing partnerships and make new connections. There will be an ELF stand and a Healthy Lungs for Life stand. Throughout the Congress, they will be a point of information and a space for patient representatives to meet and network. Near the ELF stand, 6 national and international patient organisations will have stands to showcase their activities.
During the Congress, come to the World Village on Sunday, Monday and Tuesday for the ELF Social (15:00–16:30) at the ELF stand and Coffee and Clean Air (10:30–11:30) talks in the World Village Auditorium.
This year, we are teaming up with Forestami to run a public event in the Piazza XXV Aprile in Milan. We will be offering spirometry tests to the public and talking about the negative impacts on health of air pollution, as well as encouraging people to sign letters to the local and national government to support the Ambient Air Quality Directive (AAQD).
The event will be on Friday 8 September 12:00–22:00 and Saturday 9 September 09:00–19:00 at the Piazza XXV Aprile.
The ELF Patient organisation networking day will take place on Saturday 9 September 10:45–16:30 in person and online. It brings together organisations in the ELF Patient organisation network to learn about and discuss important topics in respiratory health. This year the event will focus on the two topics of Patient and public involvement in research and Mental health and lung disease.
Please note that patient representatives must have registered in advance for this event.
Come join us on the Tuesday morning at 07:00 for a run or a walk around the CityLife Park, outside the Congress entrance in order to get active, have fun and support good lung health. You have the option to either walk 2.5km or run 5km.
Register online by 10 September.
Over the course of the ERS Congress there will be many talks, symposia, and panel discussions on a wide array of topics. To make sense of all of this we have created a Patient Track. This is your guide to all of the sessions that may be of interest to you as a patient representative with a brief explanation of the topics covered, when it is and where you can find it.
View and download the Patient Track
View and download the Rare Disease Patient Track
Everyone attending Congress needs to be registered in order to access the Congress centre and the online content. To register as a patient representative for Congress (either in person or online), please complete the registration form by following this link: https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/congress-2023-patient-registration
All registered attendees will receive their badge by email before the beginning of September. You must print your badge before coming to the Congress centre – this is different from previous years and there will be no option to print your badge on site. You should print your badge in colour, on A4 paper. When you arrive at the Congress centre you will be able to collect a badge holder. Everyone at the Congress must wear their registration badge around their necks at all times, so that the security personnel know that you have permission to be inside the Congress centre.
Patient representative registration badges will not allow you to enter the exhibition area at Congress. This is because industry representatives (pharmaceutical companies and companies selling medical equipment) are not allowed to advertise to the public or talk directly with those not licensed to prescribe medication. If they break this rule, both the company and ERS will receive large fines. We ask all patient representatives not to enter this part of Congress. The exhibition will be clearly signposted and easy to avoid. We will be happy to discuss any further questions that you may have about these restrictions.
If you were successful in obtaining an ELF travel bursary towards your costs, then we will send you an email to let you know what you need to do to claim your bursary.
If you are registered to attend Congress virtually, we will send you information in advance on how to join Patient organisation networking day and access the Congress sessions.
