As the birthplace of life sciences in France, Lyon is consolidating its leadership in the health sector thanks to an extensive network of specialised firms, numerous experts and cutting-edge infrastructure. So many arguments that enable the city to secure large-scale conventions when competing with major European destinations such as London, Rome, Vienna or Athens.

Overall in 2017, these 10 conventions alone will draw in over 26,800 attendees from all over the world! A success also achieved thanks to the collaboration of local professionals.

See the list of 10 international conventions below.

National Sterilisation Days in Healthcare Facilities From the 28th to the 30th March at the Lyon Convention Centre – 1,500 attendees.This convention at the Lyon Convention Centre gathers together all professionals working to improve and enhance the safety of sterilising practices.

General Meeting of the Association for European Paediatric and Congenital Cardiology From the 29th March to the 1st April at the Lyon Convention Centre – 1,000 attendeesAfter London, Helsinki, Prague and Rome, in 2017, international specialists in paediatric cardiology have chosen to gather in Lyon. The city's candidacy is supported at local level by Sylvie Di Filippo, Professor and Head of the Department of Congenital Cardiology at Louis Pradel Hospital in Lyon.

DSCOOP 2017 EMEAFrom the 7th to the 9th June at the Lyon Convention Centre – 1,600 attendeesThis international conference brings together leading experts in the HP printing technology sector from Europe, the Middle East and Africa.

Congress of the European Paediatric Neurology Society (EPNS)From the 21st to the 24th June at the Lyon Convention Centre – 1,500 attendeesAfter Vienna, Gothenburg and Brussels, Lyon has been chosen by the organisers of this international convention that gathers together the leading European specialists in Paediatric Neurology. A convention supported at local level by Doctor ARZIMANOUGLOU from the Femme Mère Enfant Hospital in Lyon that will benefit from the unique 'Welcome by ONLYLYON' plan.

Annual Meeting of the Society for the Advancement of Socio-Economics (SASE)From the 29th June to the 1st July at the Lyon Convention Centre – 1,000 attendeesThe world convention of social and economic sciences attracts over 1,000 specialists from all over the world. After the prestigious Berkeley University in 2016 and Kyoto University in 2018, the University of Lyon will be hosting this event thanks to the support of David VALLAT, Senior Lecturer in Economic Science at Université Lyon 1.

European Polymer Congress (EPF)From the 2nd to the 7th July at the Lyon Convention Centre – 1,500 attendeesSupported at local level by Jean-François GERARD, former head of research at the National Institute of Applied Sciences in Lyon (the top engineering school in France), this convention brings together scientists of international repute from various countries, including professor J.M. LEHN, winner of the Nobel Prize in Chemistry, as well as leading industrialists such as the Vice-Presidents of the groups SOLVAY-B and LEGO-DK.

Annual Meeting of the European Society for Vascular Surgery (ESVS)From the 19th to the 22nd September at the Lyon Convention Centre – 2,000 attendeesCompeting with Vienna, Lyon managed to secure this convention thanks to the proposal made in favour of the candidate city by Lyon's Convention Bureau in London in 2012, with the support of Doctor Philippe NICOLINI, Vascular Surgeon in Lyon. Coming from all four corners of the world, these specialists in vascular medicine will be welcomed within the scope of the 'Welcome By ONLYLYON' plan and gather at the Lyon Convention Centre.

World Bridge ChampionshipFrom the 12th to the 27th August at the Lyon Convention Centre – 4,000 attendeesLyon is all set to become the world capital of bridge next August. The event attracts enthusiasts of all ages, ready to confront each other without respite all the way to the finals. In parallel to the Open tournament, several international competitions that are open to the general public, will be organised by the World Bridge Federation and the French Bridge Federation. A total of over twenty competitions will be held at the Lyon Convention Centre throughout the fortnight.

The Chemistry & Fluid Energy ExhibitionFrom the 20th to the 21st September at Eurexpo-Lyon – 2,550 attendeesAs the birthplace of French chemistry, Lyon boasts a dense network of industries in this sector. Close to 'chemistry valley' and the Etang de Berre, the city is part of one of the largest French petrochemical clusters. Its geographical location and expertise have enabled Lyon to be selected to host the forthcoming Chemistry trade fair in September 2017 at the Eurexpo centre.

French Psychiatry CongressFrom the 29th November to the 2nd December at the Lyon Convention Centre – 1,500 attendeesThis convention, created in 2009, aims to federate all the constituent parts of French psychiatry in all its scopes of practice. Year after year, the number of participants attending this convention has grown exponentially thanks to the quality and multiplicity of interventions, and the wealth and freedom of exchanges.