19th International Microscopy Congress (IMC19)
The International Microscopy Congress (IMC) is the most significant international meeting in the field of microscopy. Held over six-days in September 2018, this meeting brought together to progress seriously small but extremely significant matter. The notably successful 19th International Microscopy Congress (IMC19) allowed international experts to connect with aspiring and established experts and experience the latest technological developments in the field. And the results speak for themselves.
Held once every four years, this global meeting builds capability in the field of microscopy. By refining the methods used to examine the minute structure of important resources, the outcomes of IMC serve to create more sustainable, effective and durable materials that are used in key industries, such as infrastructure, health and agriculture.
IMC19 in September 2018 saw more than 1700 leading scientists, researchers and industry bodies to Sydney. The six-day event involved 1200 presenters, including Nobel Laureates: Professor Joachim Frank and Professor Dan Shechtman; and Australia’s Chief Scientist, Dr Alan Finkel, and showcased the strength of Australia’s microscopy community.
Key moments
- Largest exhibition Congress history
- New revolutionary business model launched, including an innovative mobile app
- Inaugural Schools Outreach Program involving 600 local school students and teachers experiencing the latest microscopy equipment and technology
- Inaugural Indigenous Australian art exhibition, New Beginnings, showcasing local artist work based on microscopic images of various elements
- Winner of the prestigious IAPCO Driving Excellence Award for Collaboration for outstanding partnership-driven management.
Our exhibition has been transformational in showing the best in microscopy technology: what will serve the scientists of the world probably to 2040 and beyond.
Professor Paul Munroe
Co-Chair IMC19 and BESydney Global Ambassador, Bid Leader
Why Sydney
The global connectivity of Sydney, the new International Convention Centre Sydney (ICC Sydney), a vibrant scientific program and world-class tertiary educational institutions in close proximity to the conference venue, were all leading factors to Sydney winning the bid to host IMC19.
“We are moving the narrative beyond the fact that Sydney has got these nice beaches and a really nice harbour and opera house to one that positions Sydney as an intellectual hub, a business hub, an advanced manufacturing hub and much more –about the way that Sydneysiders are shaping the world,” said Professor Simon Ringer, Chair IMC19 and BESydney Global Ambassador.
This meeting is a highly technical event and the performance is up there with anything we care to mention. Collaboration was at the heart of it throughout the entire event process. From the initial bidding stage with BESydney, working with the organising committee and PCO, right through to the event day. The industry showed up in droves, and the results were formidable - we achieved the highest sales and exhibition numbers on record.
Professor Simon Ringer
Chair IMC19 and BESydney Global Ambassador