A meeting that felt like coming home. “I think people will remember this meeting for a very long time.”

From first idea to final decision: a journey to The Hague

The preparations to bring ICIS 2025 to The Hague started more than two years ahead of the event. ICIS connected with Stuart Payne, International Conference Advisor at The Hague & Partners Convention Bureau. Following the initial correspondence and introductions, a site visit was arranged with the ICIS team. 

Louise Mustoe, Events Marketing Manager at ICIS, and Watts were joined by Meeting President Prof. Thierry Huisman during the visit, as several potential venues were carefully assessed. The logistical requirements were complex and expectations high; at the outset, not every box was ticked. 

Sensing that the team was searching for something different, Stuart drew on his city knowledge and local partnerships to suggest an alternative. During lunch, he made a well-judged wildcard call, arranging an impromptu visit to The Hague Conference Centre. 

This ad hoc visit to The Hague Conference Centre (THCC) proved to be the turning point. As Watts and Payne later reflected, it was one of those rare moments when everything aligned rather neatly. The venue had just concluded another event, flexibility existed on all sides, and the practical potential of the space became immediately apparent. The penny, quite simply, dropped. 

Local expertise and flexibility at The Hague Conference Centre

THCC proved to be a venue that supported both the scientific programme and the human experience of the event. The location played a key role. Situated directly next to The Hague Central Station, the venue offered seamless access from Amsterdam Airport Schiphol, making travel easy for an international audience. 

“There’s been a big shift towards online attendance,” Watts reflects. “So if you want people to travel, you need something extra. The Hague absolutely delivered that.” 

Delegates appreciated the calmer, more intimate feel compared to busier cities like Amsterdam. No overcrowded streets, no overwhelming traffic, just a welcoming city with beautiful sights and everything close by. Maureen Watts - “The nice thing about The Hague is that everything you’d like to visit is close by. There’s no need to catch a tram.” 

"If you want people to travel, you need something extra. The Hague absolutely delivered that.” 

- Maureen Watts, General Manager of ICIS 

Where art meets science

Cultural inspiration was woven naturally into the meeting programme. A visit to the Mauritshuis sparked a unique connection between art and medical imaging, championed by keynote speaker Meeting President Prof. Thierry Huisman, who enthusiastically explored the crossovers between visual art and medicine. This interplay gave the meeting an extra layer of depth, turning The Hague itself into part of the narrative. 

Delegates were encouraged to explore The Hague further. Some extended their stay, others visited nearby Delft, helped by the city’s walkability and central hotel locations. The delegates stayed in various hotels, including Voco The Hague, Hotel Des Indes and Babylon / Leonardo - offering comfort for both delegates and accompanying partners, all within walking distance of the city centre. 

An international association meeting with a personal feel

With participants from 35-40 countries, ICIS 2025 truly reflected its global reach. The scale of the meeting worked in its favor. “It almost felt like a family,” Watts says. “People felt at home.” 

The exhibition space encouraged interaction, with industry representatives and delegates mingling freely. Venue staff received high praise for their support, while the open layout made networking effortless.  

As a charity, ICIS also sponsored attendance for delegates from low- and middle-income countries, including participants from India, the Philippines and Cameroon - reinforcing the society’s commitment to inclusivity and knowledge sharing. 

NextGen at the heart of the programme

A strong NextGen focus ran through the programme, not as a separate track, but fully integrated into the scientific content. Early-career professionals felt just as welcome as established experts. 

“We’re very conscious of differences in healthcare systems worldwide,” Watts explains. “You can’t assume everyone has access to the same technology. The programme has to be relatable for everyone.” 

Topics ranged from fundamental cancer imaging to AI-supported diagnostics, ensuring accessibility while keeping the content forward-looking. 

Stuart Payne saw firsthand how this approach paid off, as he visited the ICIS meeting himself last September. Younger attendees were naturally drawn into conversations, connecting with senior faculty in an open, supportive environment. 

Shared moments beyond the lecture hall

Social moments were carefully considered. The conference dinner at the Nieuwe Kerk offered a stunning yet affordable setting, bringing everyone together under one roof. 

“The atmosphere was beautiful,” Watts recalls. “The layout worked perfectly - drinks at one end, tables at the other, lovely lighting. Even the organ music had a clever solution.” 

At the conference centre itself, high-quality catering meant that evening programmes could stay light. A welcome reception on the first day created a warm opening, while delegates were free to explore local dining on their own terms. A balance that felt right for this audience and which was easily manageable, since the venue was located right in the city centre close to a variety of restaurants. 

Long-term impact for ICIS and future association events

The Hague delivered more than a successful meeting. It created fertile ground for future collaboration. “People will take conversations from this meeting and turn them into research partnerships,” Watts says. “That’s the real value of coming together in person.” 

Would she recommend The Hague to other associations? 

“Absolutely,” she says without hesitation. “The support from Stuart was invaluable. Having one dedicated contact made everything easier. A big "thank you" to Stuart and his wonderful team, we have truly loved holding our annual conference in The Hague. His whole team has gone above and beyond in their delivery of our event, for which we are very appreciative.”