The scientific program of the congress started on Wednesday at 2 p.m. and ended at 12.30 p.m. on Saturday. The program featured 10–12 parallel sessions of 90–150 min each plus the daily poster sessions of 90 min. The total time allotted to science every full day amounted to 7 hours including the lunchtime poster sessions.
In addition, attendees could choose between 22 official satellite symposia, sponsored and arranged by industry and held in the main venue. The satellites were not concurrent with any parts of the scientific program, but they occupied 3 hours of time of the first 3 days. They could feature products of the companies or topics they judge to be of interest and thereby to create goodwill and promote sales. This could be a very positive thing for both parties. The chairmen and speakers were selected for eminence as opinion leaders as well as for pedagogic and scholarly skills. Many names were also included in the scientific program of the congress, perhaps addressing the same topic as in the satellite symposia. Glossy handouts with PowerPoint reproductions and references were often provided.
These symposia are popular among congress organizers because they are important sources of income, both through the direct fee to the organization and by covering costs for speakers of the congress proper. They may also motivate industry to support delegates of their choice to attend the congress. The symposia are regarded by the companies as major efficient marketing events, provided the congress itself is attractive enough. They are also often later published as supplements, and can be cited in marketing material.
EULAR allowed six 90 min slots on 3 days for satellites, whereas American College of Rheumatology (ACR) sanctions only two such slots; one of these is a late afternoon and the other is immediately after the end of the meeting. ACR is thus more restrictive than EULAR. Other societies are more permissive and allow luncheon satellites, and others allocate 2 days before or after the congress to satellites. The income from the satellites no doubt increases the economic strength of EULAR, and allows EULAR to attract a large and good faculty of invited speakers.
Interaction with industry is an important component of our professional life and I am not known for shunning work with or for industry. In fact I have at present signed consultant's contracts with two companies. But I would have preferred that the satellites were moved away from the two main congress days. The additional 3 hours should then, in part, be used for additional poster viewing. Perhaps it would reduce the income for EULAR, perhaps not. But it would increase the chances for success in attracting not only numbers of abstracts, but a quality of abstracts in competition with ACR, of that I am sure.