Since 1971, the Association has grown to become one of the most important forums in Europe for the exchange of information and experience for all members of the renal care team who treat patients suffering from renal failure.

EDTNA/ERCA is a multi-disciplinary organisation of individual members. The Association membership is open to nurses, technicians, social workers, dieticians, unit managers, transplant co-ordinators, and any other professionals working with renal patients.

EDTNA/ERCA has 3000 members from 65 countries.

Every year, since 1972, EDTNA/ERCA organises an International Conference gathering some 3000 delegates and more than 40 exhibitors.

Celebrating 40 years of bringing together nursing, science, engineering and education in the EDTNA/ERCA to improve patient care was the focus of this year’s Conference, a special anniversary and recognising the great achievements of the Association. The Conference theme “Health Improvement and Quality Care“ emphasized the value of the continuing education and progress achieved in the last 40 years, for the best multidisciplinary clinical practice and professional development of all renal care workers.

Previous Conferences was held in: Dublin – 2010, Hamburg – 2009, Prague – 2008, Florence – 2007, Madrid – 2006, Vienna – 2005, Geneva – 2004, Birmingham  – 2003, The Hague – 2002, Nice – 2001, Lisbon 2000 etc.

In 2011 the Conference was held first time in one of the countries of South East Europe region. Host of this conference was Ljubljana, the capital city of Slovenia, from 10 – 13 September 2011. The Conference was held in the Congress Centre of Ljubljana Cankarjev Dom (CD), a building that provides all the facilities such as halls, technology, exhibition area and  access in the beautiful city of Ljubljana.

On this occasion, we had honour to speak with Mrs Maja Vidergar from Cankarjev dom and Mrs Mirjana Čalić, LOC Chair of Local Organising Committee.

1. Ljubljana was the first city from South East Europe region which hosted EDTNA/ERCA International Conference. How hard was it to get this Conference to be hosted in your country?

Yes, it was very hard. Cankarjev dom, Ljubljana’s largest congress venue, won among the 3 destination finalists. This is a compliment to our expert work  in the field of dialysis and transplantation, and years of experience.

2. How many participants were at the conference and from which countries?

We hosted 43 countries and approximately 1500 attendees.

3. Is there any PCO agency who supported organizational aspect of the conference? If so, is it core PCO from Prague or local from Slovenia?

The EDTNA/ERCA Association has an appointed (core) PCO – Czech-In. But in our experience there is also essential to have a local operator. So Slovenian and Ljubljana Convention Bureaus have been involved as well as Cankarjev dom Cultural and Congress Centre Ljubljana, which is not only a venue but also operates as an in-house PCO.

M.Š.