The event was the first conference to take place – which is not part of the Events Research Programme – since the pandemic forced an end to exhibitions and conferences worldwide in 2020.
Faye Dyer, managing director of The ACC Liverpool Group, said: “This internationally significant event is a huge vote of confidence in Liverpool, connecting international investment to our regional medical and technology sectors and catalysing new directions in healthcare.”
Sponsors GIANT Health chose ACC Liverpool because of the thriving regional medical technology industry in the North West, as Barry Shrier, GIANT Health founder, said: “ACC Liverpool is the ideal place for European Health Technology Innovation Week. The city and the whole region is home to leading academic and medical institutions, and a strong medical technology industry, as well as a global reputation for innovation, manufacturing and outstanding hospitality.”
Profesor Shafi Ahmed, the noted futurist and multi-award-winning cancer surgeon working at The Royal London Hospital, gave the welcoming address at the event.
Ahmed said: “After a year of lockdowns, the British government is permitting the resumption of proper business face-to-face gatherings, conferences and exhibitions. On the very first day that this is permitted, Giant Health is aiming to lead the way to help reopen society. We aim to celebrate the incredible work carried out by healthcare workers and businesses across Europe and beyond.”
European Health Technology Week continues with a series of virtual and hybrid events every day, starting in Paris on May 18 and ending in Stockholm on May 21. Registered healthcare professionals were entitled to free entry to the live event in Liverpool and all the virtual content for the whole week.
ACC Liverpool recently hosted The Good Business Festival’s launch event, Change Business for Good, as part of the government’s Events Research Programme (ERP) – a science-led initiative to get audiences back safely as restrictions are gradually eased.
Jen Estherby, HealthTech lead at Barclays Eagle Labs, co-sponsor of the event, said: ‘It’s great to see that GIANT Health is one of the first to hold a hybrid event allowing people to join them at their European HealthTech Innovation Week in Liverpool. Barclays Eagle Labs is proud to be a partner of GIANT and looking forward to connecting with some of the great HealthTech businesses attending.”
Hannah Randles, health and life sciences champion at Growth Platform– the Liverpool City Region Growth Company and co-sponsor of the event added: “Our City Region is a global leader in health and life sciences and this is a fantastic opportunity to showcase all our health-tech assets, skills, expertise and innovations.”
