MEETinLEEDS – Nutrition Society Summer Conference

MEETinLEEDS, the conference facilities of the University of Leeds, is celebrating the success of the recent Nutrition Society Summer Conference, which welcomed 400 health professionals, policy makers, academics from various Universities from across the country and further afield, nutritionists and practitioners to the University of Leeds.
The conference generated brilliant engagement online, with over 570 tweets using the official hashtag, #nssummer18, indicating the high level of debate and conversation which took place over the three-day period.

The Nutrition Society Summer Conference returned to the city for the first time in more than 15 years and provided an overview of the myriad of factors influencing energy balance, addressing varying needs across the lifespan. It consisted of six symposia, four plenary lectures, two medal lectures and 129 shorter presentations containing emerging research in nutrition.

The conference aimed to not only inform and educate delegates but to practice what it taught. Reflecting the theme of the conference, careful consideration was made to source healthy, local produce and an activity programme was created for attendees, which included morning jogs and yoga.

Delegates were able to enjoy the fantastic facilities that the University offered at every stage of the conference. This included a drinks reception at the iconic Parkinson Building, excellent on site accommodation at Storm Jameson Court and high quality lecture theatres, large enough to accommodate the many delegates attending.

Dr. J Bernadette Moore at the University of Leeds commented: “We are delighted at the success of the recent Nutrition Society Summer Conference. It is often hard to demonstrate success, but with the 570 tweets that engaged with the hashtag, it gives an indication of the enthusiasm shared between delegates at the event. The attendees also thoroughly enjoyed how the conference topic was reflected in the format, from healthy food choices to an early morning start with a 5km jog around the city centre – it was a truly rounded conference which let the delegates learn in both theory and practice, whilst exploring a thriving city at the same time.”

Dr Christine Bosch who led the bid for the meeting to be held at the University of Leeds commented on the conference success: “importantly we have created a legacy in the number of new scientific collaborations that have arisen during and as a result of this conference.”

Harriet Boatwright, Sales & Marketing Manager at MEETinLEEDS, added: “The Nutrition Society Summer Conference is a clear demonstration of how the University of Leeds can facilitate a conference effectively in one place, whilst allowing delegates to enjoy the wider aspects of Leeds as a whole. From a drinks reception at the Parkinson Building to accommodation on site, to wider venues in Leeds such as the Leeds Town Hall where the Gala dinner was held – the University is proud to collaborate across the city to create the ideal conference solution.”