A surgical conference taking place at The Glasshouse International Centre for Music will bring more than 650 delegates to the North East in June, including an international delegation from Spain.
The British Elbow & Shoulder Society (BESS), an association that has been established for more than 35 years, will host its Annual Scientific Meeting at the conference and events venue from 24-26 June.
Attracting surgeons and advanced health practitioners from across Britain, the BESS’s flagship event is the leading upper limb forum in the UK and Ireland.
For the first time in the conference’s history, an international society will attend the three-day event. Abdul-ilah Hachem, President elect of La Sociedad Española de Cirugía de Hombro y Codo (The Spanish Society of Shoulder and Elbow Surgery), will deliver this year’s Presidential Guest Lecture. He will be joined by colleagues from the Spanish society, marking a major milestone for the BESS association.
Chris Laws, head of operations, events and hires at The Glasshouse, said: “This is the second time BESS has chosen The Glasshouse for its Annual Scientific Meeting, which is a great endorsement for our venue and the high quality conference and events facilities on offer.”
Laws added: “We’re very different from traditional conference centres in that we can provide some unique spaces that really elevate events and create that wow factor for delegates. The BESS conference will make full use of our world-class auditorium and our open concourse area for the exhibition, which has panoramic views across the river to Newcastle upon Tyne.”
In a joint statement, president of the British Elbow & Shoulder Society, Mark Falworth, and vice president/local organiser lead, Jaime Candal-Couto, said: “We are delighted to bring the BESS Annual Scientific Meeting andInstructional Course to NewcastleGateshead and The Glasshouse, a venue that offers an excellent setting for collaboration, learning and innovation. This year’s programme reflects the breadth and depth of contemporary shoulder and elbow practice, with a strong emphasis on practical education, multidisciplinary engagement andimproving patient outcomes.
They added: “We are also pleased to welcome colleagues from the Spanish Society of Shoulder and Elbow Surgery (SECHC), marking an important step in strengthening international collaboration and sharing expertise. We look forward tothree days of high-quality discussion, debate and professional development.”
The BESS Annual Scientific Meeting at The Glasshouse includes a series of lectures and surgical debates, a trade exhibition, panel discussions and industry workshops.
Delegates will also be able to attend a full day instructional course focusing on trauma. Workshop and course leaders include representatives from NHS Trusts, public andprivate hospitals in Spain, as well as teaching hospitals and associations.
The event ends on Friday 26 June with an awards presentation and the formal announcement of Manchester as the host of the 2027 Annual Scientific Meeting.