The XXVII World Congress of Neurology (WCN 2025) ensured high operational standards through seamless communication and a strong local partnership. This successful collaboration was key to bridging cultural gaps and delivering an efficient, exceptional event experience
Event brief
WCN 2025 was organised by World Federation of Neurology (WFN) in partnership with the Korean Neurological Association (KNA) and Kenes Group as PCO.
Themed Soul of Neurological Innovation, the event showcased groundbreaking advances in brain science, patient care and neurological research by offering an elite educational programme that reflected the most pressing neurological challenges worldwide.
Kenes Group was tasked by long-standing client WFN to produce a seamless hybrid congress with the shared mission – advancing brain health for all.
The objectives were to advance education and collaboration among neurology experts, institutions and societies globally; and to present WFN’s collaborative work with WHO and the Intersectoral Global Action Plan on brain health, highlighting its role in global neurological advocacy.
Event highlights
The congress featured a robust scientific programme of more than 130 sessions, spanning plenary lectures, teaching courses, debates, Meet the Experts discussions and keynotes from WHO and global neurology leaders from France, South Korea, the UK and US.
Beyond the scientific sessions, the congress stood out for its interactive conversations between WFN and WHO, highlighting shared goals around global brain health and the implementation of the Intersectoral Global Action Plan.
A major achievement was the hybrid experience which ensured full engagement across time zones and regions. The digital tools, live streaming, and real-time access enabled participants around the world to join the conversation without compromising interactivity. Participants also benefited from AI session summaries in the congress mobile app, helping them capture key insights.
The warm hospitality of Seoul, combined with its world-class infrastructure, added a strong cultural dimension that made the congress both scientifically rewarding and personally memorable.
Challenges
Coordinating a scientific programme of more than 130 sessions and hundreds of speakers across multiple time zones required meticulous planning, constant communication, and flexibility when last-minute changes arose.
Ensuring a smooth experience for both in-person and virtual participants meant managing complex technical setups, live interaction tools and contingency plans to maintain engagement throughout the event.
Sustainability also presented a meaningful challenge. With thousands of delegates travelling to Seoul, sustainability goals were met through practical measures such as limiting printed materials, selecting reusable signage and offsetting travel emissions via the Kenes Forest project in Tanzania.
Hosting the event in Seoul introduced its own cultural and logistical considerations – from aligning expectations with KNA to adapting workflows to local venue operations and regulations.
Kenes Group addressed these challenges by relying on its integrated digital infrastructure and global operating model. Real-time communication channels between the on-site teams in Seoul and remote colleagues allowed for rapid decision-making, smooth coordination and fast response to programme adjustments.
Advanced streaming, captioning and translation tools ensured that virtual delegates could access sessions without technical or language barriers, supporting a truly global audience.
Kenes Group, director of client accounts, Marcel Deker said: “WCN 2025 was a powerful example of what true partnership can achieve.
“Together with WFN and KNA, we delivered a hybrid congress that not only showcased world-class neurology but also connected experts across 123 countries in a meaningful and smooth way.
“The scale, complexity, and ambition of this meeting pushed us to be at our very best, and it was incredibly rewarding to see delegates experience the event with such enthusiasm, both onsite in Seoul and online around the world.”
Event World Congress of Neurology
Organiser World Federation of Neurology with the Korean Neurological Association and Kenes Group
Venue Seoul, South Korea
Dates October 12 to 15, 2025
Attendees 2,600 in-person delegates and 500 virtual participants. from 123 countries
