CORPUS Congress Centre was allowed to open its doors for the Single-Use Event on Tuesday, September 14 last year. Albeit with a limited number of participants due to the mandatory one-and-a-half-meter distance. Only 75 visitors and 50 participants on behalf of exhibitors and sponsors were allowed in, instead of the 250 participants as originally intended. So all in all it was exciting and challenging, but definitely a great success.

Everything went according to plan. But just the fact that we were able to make it happen is perhaps the real highlight, in retrospect,' reflects Wout Schouten, involved as event manager on behalf of organizer Persmanager BV. It was quite special for everyone, such a first moment after times for many people to be together again. 

Perfect fit

The Single-Use Event is the ultimate networking event in the world of bioprocessing, biotechnology and (bio)pharmaceutical production. The program provides a mix of meetings, lectures and trade show presentations. After the acquisition of former organizer Beta Publishers, Press Manager BV pulled the cart. Already in October 2019, initial contacts were made with CORPUS Congress Centre for hosting the international event. 

'There was a perfect fit for the day, both in terms of capacity and size of the exhibition floor and hall, and with the target audience,' Schouten explains the choice made earlier. 'The location, on the edge of Leiden Bio Science Park, is significant for our guests, who, after all, come from biotech companies and pharmaceutical companies.' And the proximity of a hotel, literally next door, the perfect connection to Schiphol Airport and the ample parking facilities also carried plenty of weight.

Flexible spaces

The concept of the Single-Use Event - one-day and programmed between 10:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. - places demands on the accommodation. It must accommodate booths as well as plenary and parallel sessions. Catering must be appropriately available at all times. In addition, the corona measures in force required additional customization this September 14th. 'For the opening and closing by keynote speakers, we used the plenary hall, which in between was converted into 2 separate rooms for the parallel sessions,' says Schouten. 

Kim Opdam was involved as project coordinator on behalf of CORPUS: "Because we had to take into account a distance of one and a half meters and there were sub-sessions, we had to convert the rooms in between. Fortunately, we have flexible spaces by moving walls and therefore the event was able to take place during that time of spacing. It takes a little more organization, but that's all the more fun. 

'The changeover went perfectly,' Schouten reflects. For example, the CORPUS house supplier had prepared the technology for the two halls in advance.' In his opinion, the catering was also well organized: 'There were packed lunches for the exhibitors. In a separate room there was opportunity for personal meetings during breaks.'

Option

Back and forth, organizer and venue are extremely complimentary. Schouten: "The cooperation was in one word top. We are not originally an event agency and probably needed quite a bit of extra attention compared to other organizers.

Anyway, the Single-Use Event came to CORPUS for the first time.' "We are very positive," responds project coordinator Kim Opdam on behalf of CORPUS, "It was quick and easy to connect with Wout and that resulted in a great event. How satisfied the participants - and thus organizer Wout Schouten - were? 'Again this year,' they immediately sound confident. 'The option is already committed!'

Written by Henny Beijer