Microscopy: event review

The Royal Microscopical Society reflects on a fantastic week in Liverpool

The Royal Microscopical Society (RMS) would like to thank everyone who attended elmi2024 in Liverpool, UK (4-7 June), for making it such a special event for the Light Microscopy community.

Against the backdrop of the city's iconic Albert Dock, more than 640 people arrived at ACC Liverpool for the latest instalment of the popular meeting series. The event featured a fantastic blend of talks, workshops and exhibitors, plus plenty of opportunities for networking.

The European Light Microscopy Initiative (to give elmi its full name) is regarded by hundreds of scientists and developers as an essential fixture in the light microscopy calendar. With tickets having sold out in the first few months of the year, expectations were high, and elmi2024 certainly delivered.

RMS chief executive Sali Davis said: “We are so grateful to the Light Microscopy community for supporting this event, and ensuring a truly memorable week for everyone in attendance. The enthusiasm and energy of participants was palpable from start to finish, and I really hope everyone enjoyed themselves in Liverpool.”

She added: “I would like to thank everyone involved in making the event such a successfrom our speakers, workshop presenters, exhibitors and other delegates, to our dedicated volunteers and the RMS team for helping things run as smoothly as possible during the meeting. I would also like to give special thanks to our team of scientific organisers and of course, our generous sponsors, without whom none of this would have been possible.”

With more than 170 abstracts submitted – including poster presentations – a rich scientific programme across six sessions and a dedicated ‘Core Facility Day’ ensured there was something for all interests. Meanwhile, almost 60 companies brought their latest products and technology to the main exhibition hall and Tabletop Exhibition. They also hosted more than 130 well-attended workshops throughout the event – a feature that has become a key attraction of the elmi meeting series.

On the social and networking side, things were just as busy, with evening receptions and buffets within the meeting venue, and a memorable dinner on the last night for more than 400 attendees at the Rum Warehouse.

The traditional ‘Industry versus Academy’ football match also took place, with the company representatives emerging comfortable winners on this occasion!

Below are some more illuminating facts and figures from elmi2024.

elmi2024 in numbers:

• 175 abstracts submitted

• 130 posters presented

• 645 attendees registered (all at early bird rate, capacity at venue reached)

• 65% academic attendees

• 32% company attendees

• 35 countries represented, across five different continents

• 59 sponsors, 48 in main hall, 11 in tabletop exhibition

• Sponsors attending from 15 countries; 50% companies from UK

• 24 companies presenting 136 workshops; six on-stand opportunities