The Future of Healthcare Meetings 2026

Content Committee

Carina Schmidt

Head of Events and Operations at European Association for the Study of the Liver (EASL)

She oversees the strategic planning and delivery of large-scale international congresses, summits and educational initiatives. She brings extensive experience in association and congress management, with previous roles at a Professional Congress Organiser (K.I.T.) and within the trade fair industry. In her current role, she focuses on operational strategy, programme delivery and collaboration with scientific leadership to support high-quality educational events for the global liver community.

Dermot Ryan

Head of Association Engagement at the International Congress and Convention Association (ICCA)

Responsible for strategic association engagement to foster collaboration, knowledge sharing, and growth. Dermot has 30 years experience working with associations and not-for-profits. Previous to ICCA, he held a number of senior roles within associations, including the European Academy of Allergy and Clinical Immunology (EAACI) and the Drug Information Association, and at K.I.T. Group, a global PCO and AMC. Dermot has an MSc in Event Management and is a member of the European Society of Association Executives (ESAE).

Gemmeke de Jongh

Senior Manager Education and Impact at the International Congress and Convention Association (ICCA)

I partner with ICCA members and the broader meetings industry to design and deliver impactful lifelong learning experiences that strengthen the skills of tomorrow’s meeting professionals. Passionate about education and professional development, I create programs that inspire, upskill, and empower the next generation of industry leaders.

As an advocate for the business events sector, I work closely with policymakers and cross-sector stakeholders to raise awareness of the industry’s value and influence public policy, ensuring a supportive environment for growth and innovation.

Liane Comeau

Executive Director at International Union for Health Promotion and Education (IUHPE)

25 years of experience with NGOs and government. She worked in a pan-Canadian organization, Invest in Kids, in various roles including Director of Research and Evaluation, and as Specialized Scientific Advisor at the Institut National de Santé Publique du Québec, where she contributed to publications and programs on various aspects of the health of children and adolescents. Since April 2018, she is the Executive Director of the International Union for Health Promotion and Health Education, a global NGO focused on reducing health inequalities. She has supported the organization of eight regional and global conferences, in various capacities and across a wide range of contexts. She holds a doctorate in developmental psychology from McGill University (2004).

Samantha Shamkh

Assistant Director of Sales, EXCEL LONDON

Responsible for contracting large-scale congresses, conferences and events within the associations and not-for-profit market. Samantha is well-established within the industry with over 35 years’ experience – the majority of which gained whilst working at Excel. She has gained a wealth of knowledge throughout her career starting in hotel management in Switzerland, joining a graduate scheme with Forte Hotels, and working for Intercontinental Hotels and Wembley Conference & Exhibition Centre. She is a key member of the Sales & Marketing team, driving and developing Excel’s legacy and impact projects for events.

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