A native of Vienna, Austria, Thomas (Tom) Reiser has been serving as the Executive Director of the International Society on Thrombosis and Haemostasis (ISTH) since May 2011. In this role as the chief staff person for ISTH, he is responsible for working closely with the ISTH Council to set the Society’s strategy, organizational development, professional execution of ISTH’s program and initiatives and corporate relations. 

With business and hospitality management degrees as background and throughout his 20+ year career in Austria, Belgium and the USA, Tom has led over 10 international scientific-medical professional organizations with ultimate responsibility for strategy, fundraising, programs and meetings around the world. The medical/scientific specialties of the organizations led by Tom include nephrology, osteoporosis, hematology, liver cancer, psychiatry, orthopedics, prosthetics and orthotics and psychiatry. 

Tom is a long-time member of and contributor to the leading US, European and international organizations in the field of association and not-for-profit management and writes and speaks regularly on topics related to professional association and conference management. 

Noemi San Emeterio Huang is the Education and Events Director at the EBTM (formerly known as the European Society for Blood and Marrow Transplantation). She has been part of EBMT since 2018, and has held her current position for the past three years. 

The EBMT is a community of healthcare professionals focused on innovation, research, and the advancement of cellular and stem cell-based therapies to save and improve the lives of patients with blood-related disorders. Education is one of the three pillars of the society, along with Science and Patient Care. EBMT's Education and Events Department organizes over fifteen meetings a year, ranging from a +5,000 participant congress to medium-sized conferences, and training courses. Additionally, EBMT offers an ever-growing catalog of e-learning opportunities, as well as online tools and reference handbooks.

Caroline is a meetings industry professional with 30 years’ experience. She has specialist knowledge of the healthcare and life science meetings and congresses gained from working as a PCO with many international medical associations globally for 20 years and working within the medical communication sectors delivering international pharma and medical device events for 13 years. 

 Caroline is Executive Director and Trustee of ISHA – the Hip Preservation Society, is an international society which is focused on hip preservation surgery to enhance patient care and outcomes, through delivery of training, education, support of research, sharing of knowledge and best practice, fostering global collaboration and provision of patient and professional information to improve hip care. 

 She is also the Managing Director of the Conference Consultancy, a specialist boutique event, PCO and association management company, managing events and associations both domestically and international. Founded in 2014, they specialise in the healthcare, life sciences, not-for-profit and academic sectors.

Vanessa Reis, Head of the Zurich Convention Bureau, has more than a decade of experience in the meetings and hospitality industry to showcase Zurich as a premier meetings destination. As a member of the Zurich Tourism Executive Board, she combines her business studies with continuous education to meet the complex leadership requirements and the fast-paced meetings industry.

Vanessa is a passionate advocate for sharing knowledge, connecting people, and fostering personal development opportunities. Her contribution as Chapter leader of the ICCA Central European chapter and member of the Meetings Industry Steering Group of the City Destinations Alliance, underlines her commitment to driving positive change.

Silvano spearheads the marketing, sales, and strategic communication divisions of Congrex Switzerland, and holds a pivotal role within the senior management team. His professional journey commenced in the realm of the hospitality sector, and he has since garnered over two decades of experience in the business events industry. 

Silvano's academic credentials include degrees in project management, general management, leadership, marketing, and sales. Additionally, he holds an Executive MBA from the University of Berne.

I am the Director at Düsseldorf Convention, where I have been responsible for the acquisition and support of national and international congresses and events since December 2019. In addition to my degree in Hotel Management from HMA Koblenz, I have more than +10 years of professional experience in the hotel and event industry, including as Area Director of Sales and Marketing at Meliá Hotels International. My competencies include event marketing, distributor management, hospitality industry skills, and the ability to communicate and negotiate with various stakeholders and partners. As a lecturer at the university, I also share my knowledge and experience with students interested in the hotel and tourism industry. 

My mission is to position and promote Düsseldorf as an attractive and sustainable location for congresses and events. I am motivated to find innovative and creative solutions to meet the needs and expectations of our clients and guests. I am proud to be part of a dedicated and diverse team that is committed to the quality and growth of our organization.

Catherine Kalamidas has been active in the international events industry for more than 20 years, initially developing & organizing high level congresses in the maritime industry, and later serving as Director of Operations for an international PCO, leading the activities of the European Space Agency Conference Bureau. 

Catherine is on the Education Committee of the ICCA France Benelux Chapter and a member of the Meetings Industry Steering Group of City Destinations Alliance. Catherine joined the Rotterdam Partners CVB in 2016 and has since collaborated with Rotterdam’s triple helix of government, industry and academia to strategically acquire international congresses which align with the future ambitions of the city and its institutes.