Whether it’s meeting your next big client, forming your next partnership, learning new skills and insights, or getting advice from peers the return on investment of attending the right events can be substantial.
As a technology vendor that regularly exhibits, speaks and advises clinical conferences all over the world, we’ve seen and attended our fair share of fantastic, and not so fantastic industry conferences. Let’s be honest, there are hundreds of conferences scattered on every content, but which one is going to give you the best return for your time and money. We’ve laid out our list of top conferences to attend in 2020 that will make you want to start packing today.
Be warned, some of these events are being held in cities with fantastic weather, and some within walking distance of a beach. As hard as it may be, evaluate these events objectively – as tempting as golden sunshine may be.
UPDATE: Some of these conferences may have been postponed due to COVID-19 measures. For a list of virtual conferences, check out Top Virtual Clinical Conferences of 2020
This has been one of the most viewed articles on our blog in the last year. Due to the popularity of this article, we wanted to ensure the information we had written was still relevant. We've gone through our list and removed some events that won't be running in 2020 and added new events that you just have to attend this year!
In chronological order, here’s our list:
1. 9th Trial Master File Summit
January 21-23, 2020| Orlando, FL
The 9th Annual Trial Master File Summit covers a range of topics related to TMFs, eClinical Systems and Trial Master File Processes with presentations about Quality and completeness, eTMF/technology enhancements, Partnerships, and Inspection readiness from some of the industry’s most notable specialists and experts. If you are involved in clinical documentation management or Trial Master Files, this is an essential North American conference to attend.
Learn more here - http://www.tmfsummit.com/us
2. 5th European Conference on Clinical Research
February 10-11, 2020 | Amsterdam, Netherlands
This conference is for professionals in the pharmaceutical, biotechnology and medical device sectors as well as the regulatory environment. The Conference we will be discussing and scrutinizing “Science, Technology and Regulations Coming Together for Better Patients’ Health”. As drug and medical device development require competences to cope with a continuously changing environment, teams must always focus on the ultimate goal: the benefit for the patient. With the increasing introduction of e-Systems to clinical research, learn how these technologies will continue to enhance our efficiencies in data capture and delivery.
Learn more here - https://eucrof-conference.eu
3. DIA Europe Neutral life science conference
March 17-19, 2020 | Brussels, Belgium
The DIA Europe event is a great platform to exchange ideas with thought leaders and to build your professional network. From topics presenting on the including Clinical Development & Operations, Regulatory Science & Operations, Value and Access, Medical Affairs and many others, the 2020 themes have been designed to inspire breakthroughs across the life sciences landscape.
Learn more here - https://www.diaglobal.org/Flagship/DIA-Europe-2020
4. Regulatory Submissions, Information, and Document Management Forum
February 10-12, 2020 | North Bethesda, MD
DIA’s Forum provides the elements needed to meet the challenges of optimizing the efficient use of regulatory information with four tracks: the RIM principles, effective processes and tools, benefits to data applications across the product lifecycle, and examination of real-life results. The event will provide a comprehensive view of content and regulatory information management and submissions. All tracks are supported with daily plenary sessions providing regulatory intelligence updates by health authority representatives from FDA, Health Canada, and other regions of interest.
Learn more here - https://www.diaglobal.org/en/conference-listing/meetings/2020/02/regulatory-submissions-information-and-document-management-forum
5. SCOPE Summit for Clinical Ops Executives
February 18-21, 2020 | Miami, FL
See also SCOPE Europe September 17-18 | Barcelona, Spain
The 11th Annual SCOPE Summit, will offer three stimulating days of in-depth discussions in 20 different conferences, 3 plenary keynote sessions, and interactive breakout discussions focused on issues related to each aspect of clinical trial planning and management: Site Selection and Management, Patient Engagement, Recruitment and Retention, Protocol Optimization, Feasibility, Data Strategy & Analytics, Artificial Intelligence (AI), Sensors and Wearables, Project Management, Outsourcing, Forecasting, Budgeting and Contracting, Quality (QbD) in Trial Conduct, Risk-Based Monitoring, Post-Marketing Studies, Observational Research, Clinical Biomarker Strategy, Clinical Supply Chain, Precision Medicine, Biospecimens and Central Lab Solutions, and an all new track on Medical Device Clinical Trial Operations and Regulations.
Learn more here - http://www.scopesummit.com/
6. Patients as Partners USA
March 16-17, 2020 | Philadelphia, PA
The 7th annual Patients as Partners program is the only conference in the US that demonstrates how to involve patients throughout the entire medicines development life cycle to drive greater efficiencies in clinical research. The mission of the program is turning patient engagement discussion into action. Building on previous year’s theme of turning discussion into action, the 7th annual program’s core theme is bringing value to patients.
Learn more here - http://theconferenceforum.org/conferences/patients-as-partners/overview/
7. 11th Proactive GCP Compliance Summit
March 16-18, 2020 | Philadelphia, PA
Now in its 11th year, ExL’s Proactive GCP Compliance conference continues to act as the annual forum for senior-level clinical quality and clinical operations executives to gather, learn and discuss strategies to achieve and maintain global GCP compliance. Learn how to effectively build quality risk management approaches into your clinical operations to optimize research, maintain GCP compliance, contain costs and ensure patient safety.
Learn more here - http://exlevents.com/proactive-gcp-compliance/
8. AMIA 2020 Informatics Summit
March 23-26, 2020 | Houston, TX
The Informatics Summit will focus on cutting edge research around four main areas: Translational Bioinformatics, Clinical Research Informatics, Implementation Informatics and Data Science. The conference welcomes students, educators, researchers from academia as well as industry who will all benefit learning about the newest informatics developments.
Learn more here - https://www.amia.org/summit2020
9. FDA Clinical Trial Requirements Regulations, Compliance and GCP Conference
March 25-26, 2020 | San Francisco, CA
See also May 13 and 14, 2020 | Dallas, TX & November 18 and 19, 2020 | Orlando, FL
This two-day conference is intended to share information among FDA representatives and the regulated community, to facilitate the understanding of regulations, guidelines and practices, and to suggest methods and opportunities to enhance the research professional’s product development experience. The program will focus on the relationships among the FDA and clinical trial staff, investigators and IRBs. Participants will work through three areas that present challenges to sponsors and investigational sites: FDA Clinical Research Requirements, Enhancing Success through Communication and Financial Incentives, and Assuring Confidence in Clinical Research.
10. Data Integrity Inspection Readiness Summit
March 30- April 1, 2020 | Philadelphia, PA
Data Integrity remains the life science industry’s greatest challenge as Warning Letters continue to rise year-over-year. These serious findings include; having interrupted, missing, deleted and lost data; inadequate records for risk analysis; and more failures. The Data Integrity Inspection Readiness Summit is headed to Philadelphia to showcase the protocols, methodology and actions necessary to avoid regulatory action.
Learn more here - https://www.kenx.org/events/data-integrity-2020/
11. 12th Annual EU Medical Device Clinical Research Conference
April (exact date TBC), 2020 | Amsterdam, Netherlands
The 12th edition of the EU Medical Device Clinical Research Conference will explore challenges faced by medical device clinical executives conducting trials for medical products meant to be marketed, or already marketed in Europe. With the MDR compliance date very close in time, teams aim to identify final areas of the clinical strategy to update and make necessary adjustments to ensure strategy readiness and meaningful clinical evidence and data.
Learn more here - https://www.q1productions.com/eudeviceclinical/download-agenda/
12. Association of Clinical Research Professionals Meeting & Expo
May 1-4, 2020 | Seattle, WA
The ACRP Meeting & Expo is uniquely focused on supporting the professional growth and development of individuals conducting clinical trials through education, exchange, and peer-to-peer engagement. The 2020 instalment brings the clinical research community together to learn the practical strategies, best practices, and creative solutions needed to improve clinical trial quality.
Learn more here - https://2020.acrpnet.org/about
13. CHI's Clinical Trial Innovation Summit
April 6-8, 2020 | Cambridge, MA
Cambridge Healthtech Institute's Clinical Trial Innovation Summit brings together leaders from across pharma, biotech and academia to share case studies and best practices on effective clinical trial management and vendor oversight. The program focuses on key issues and opportunities in the clinical trial industry, including Patient Recruitment, Site Selection, Data Integration, Existing Data Sources, Mobile Tech, Project Management, Outsourcing, Vendor Management, Budgeting and Contracting, Quality (QbD) in Trial Conduct, Risk-Based Monitoring and Clinical Auditing.
Learn more here - http://www.clinicaltrialsummit.com/
14. MAGI's Clinical Research Conference 2020 East
April 19-22, 2020 | Philadelphia, PA
Obtain practical tips and professional contacts that will pay for the conference in a matter of days. At the last MAGI conference, participants gathered an average of 10 practical tips to implement in their own organizations. Over 700 people (including representatives from over 100 sponsors and CROs) will attend. With over 100 sessions and workshops in six tracks: clinical operations & project management, site management, contracts, budgets & billing, regulatory compliance, and special topics.
Learn more here - https://www.magiworld.org/forms/FutureConferences.aspx
15. BioIT World Conference & Expo
April 21-23, 2020 | Boston, MA
Since its debut in 2002, the Annual Bio-IT World Conference & Expo has established itself as a premier event showcasing the myriad of IT and informatics applications and enabling technologies that drive biomedical research, drug discovery & development, and clinical and healthcare initiatives. The Bio-IT World Conference & Expo continues to be a vibrant event that unites 3,000+ life sciences, pharmaceutical, clinical, healthcare, and IT professionals from more than 30 countries.
Learn more here - http://www.bio-itworldexpo.com/
16. Global Clinical Trials Connect 2020
This conference will bring together industry experts and leaders for brainstorming on case studies on innovation, collaboration and existing clinical data to headway the Clinical Trials process. This conference intends to focus on the global health and clinical trials around the world including significant topics such as bioethics, regulations, patient recruitment, site selection, real-world data, data integration & Strategy, outsourcing, vendor management, and more. The event is designed for senior level attendees from various companies including pharmaceutical, biotechnological, biopharmaceutical, CRO’s, Investigative Sites, Diagnostics, solution provider and government institutions.
Learn more here - https://corvusglobalevents.com/conferenceInfo.php?ref=Global-Clinical-Trials-Connect-2020
17. CHI’s Clinical Trial Innovation Summit
May 13-15th, 2019 | Boston, MA
Cambridge Healthtech Institute's Clinical Trial Innovation Summit brings together leaders from across pharma, biotech and academia to share case studies and best practices on effective clinical trial management and vendor oversight. The program focuses on key issues and opportunities in the clinical trial industry, including Patient Recruitment, Site Selection, Data Integration, Existing Data Sources, Mobile Tech, Project Management, Outsourcing, Vendor Management, Budgeting and Contracting, Quality (QbD) in Trial Conduct, Risk-Based Monitoring and Clinical Auditing.
Learn more here - http://www.clinicaltrialsummit.com/
18. Society for Clinical Trials 41st Annual Meeting
May 17-20, 2020 | Baltimore, MD
The Annual Meeting of the Society for Clinical Trials is a multidisciplinary program with broad participation. The Meeting brings together the clinical trials community from academia, the pharmaceutical and device industries, government agencies, medical groups, centers and clinical research entities.
Learn more here - http://www.sctweb.org/meeting/
19. 6th European Clinical Trials Inspection Readiness Summit
Date and Location TBC
From clinical development to product launch, TMF quality and management plays an important role in all clinical trials for maintaining inspection-readiness. Now in its fifth year, ExL’s Clinical Trials Inspection Readiness Summit will continue to provide an educational platform for professionals to explore how to ensure quality assurance and inspection readiness through good clinical practices and strategic partnerships.
Learn more here - https://exlevents.com/european-clinical-trials-inspection-readiness-summit/
20. Pharmaceutical Compliance Congress Canada
June 2-3, 2020| Montreal, QC
CBI’s 4th Annual Pharmaceutical Compliance Congress Canada convenes top Canadian compliance practitioners and leading experts to discuss effective strategies to achieve organization-wide compliance, from the compliance and legal teams to the oversight of the promotional marketing and sales teams. Learn how to implement innovative strategies to enhance compliance training and monitoring, elevate compliance to the role of strategic partner, examine how the changes in Health Canada codes impact industry, construct ethical interactions with stakeholders, and more.
Learn more here - http://www.cbinet.com/conference/pc20068
21. DIA 2020 Global Annual Meeting
June 14-18, 2020 | Washington, DC
Now in its 14th year, the DIA Statistics 2020 Forum fosters open discussion of timely topics of mutual theoretical and practical interest to statisticians and clinical trial scientists who develop new drugs and biologics. This unique forum continues the dialogue between industry, academia, patient advocacy, and regulatory agencies to collaboratively explore real world application of innovative approaches and solutions for statistical challenges surrounding the design and analysis of clinical trials.
Learn more here - https://www.diaglobal.org/en/flagship/dia-2020
22. Trial Master Files and Inspection Readiness Conference
September 16-19th, 2020 | Brussels, Belgium
Discover how you can optimise your TMF processes by attending the 5th Annual Trial Master Files and Inspection Readiness Summit. With a focus on sponsor and CRO oversight, TMF interoperability, eTMF transition and securing senior management support – this is the easiest platform to bring your challenges and opportunities to the forefront of the industry and work in collaboration with your industry peers to find solutions.
Learn more here - https://www.pharma-iq.com/events-trialmasterfile
23. Biotech Week Boston
September 21-24, 2020 | Boston, MA
Biotech Week Boston is dedicated to accelerating the business of biotechnology through new ideas, science, technology and partnerships to make a positive impact on patient health. You’ll find thought-leaders and potential partners from discovery, financing, manufacturing, clinical trials, who can help drive you closer to success. It’s an unparalleled opportunity to meet with those who are shaping our industry's future, from researchers and investors, to CEOs and founders.
Learn more here - https://lifesciences.knect365.com/biotech-week-boston/
24. DPharm: Disruptive Innovations Conference
September 22-23, 2020 | Boston, MA
DPharm is a TED-style annual event to get the best access to innovative and disruptive ideas to advance drug development operations from pharma and outside industry leaders with a view to reducing the burden to patients and investigators. DPharm is dedicated to all things digital, data science, patient data ownership and new approaches to optimize clinical operation systems. The 2019 event saw over 400+ participants from mid to large pharma, biotech companies, patient groups, investors, as well as CROs and Sites.
Learn more here - http://theconferenceforum.org/conferences/disruptive-innovations-us/overview/
25. SOCRA Annual Conference
September 25-27, 2020 | Las Vegas, NV
For the 29th year, SOCRA will welcome clinical research professionals from across the world. Located in San Antonio, TX at the Grand Hyatt San Antonio, this three-day conference will offer current information and tools, best practices, and training to assure that you're up-to-date and compliant in your clinical research practice. The program will feature over 100 academic sessions, a peer-driven poster session, and an exhibit program.
Learn more here - https://www.socra.org/annual-conference/2020-conference-information/2020-annual-conference-information/
26. Outsourcing in Clinical Trials Series 2020
March 3-4, 2020 | San Francisco, CA
May 6-7, 2020 | Paris, France
September 30 - October 1, 2020 | Boston, MA
OCT brings an intellectually driven two-day program which will include numerous panels, debates, interviews and case-study specific presentations. Hear from the leading voices in clinical outsourcing who are best situated to answer your questions and provide you the insight you need to maximize your budget and get drugs to patients.
Learn more here - https://www.arena-international.com/?s=&industry=healthcare®ion=&event-date=
Did we miss any? Comment below to let us know which upcoming conferences you'll be attending!
