European Astronomical Society: A Growth Success Story
Our Role in Transforming the EAS Annual Meeting
Through strategic planning, innovative technology, and adaptive event design, we have helped the European Astronomical Society (EAS) expand its reach, embrace hybrid engagement, and sustain continuous growth - all while keeping global accessibility, scientific excellence, and local cultural identity at the heart of every edition.
Client: European Astronomical Society (EAS)
Event: Annual Meeting
Industry: Scientific Associations & Academic Events
Partnership Duration: Since 2014
About the European Astronomical Society (EAS)
A leading voice in European astronomy, the European Astronomical Society (EAS) is one of Europe’s foremost scientific organisations representing professional astronomers and astrophysicists across the continent. As a pan-European body, it brings together national astronomical societies, research institutions and individual researchers to advance collaboration, scientific excellence and knowledge exchange at scale.
EAS plays a central role in shaping the European astronomical community through its support of research, education, early-career scientists and science policy engagement. Its Annual Meeting has become one of the most significant recurring gatherings for astronomy in Europe, attracting close to 2,000 delegates each year and providing a high-profile platform for presenting cutting-edge research, fostering international collaboration and connecting academia with infrastructure providers and industry partners.
The Challenge
In 2014, the European Astronomical Society (EAS) entrusted us with their flagship Annual Meeting, then a well-established but traditionally run academic conference with 550 delegates. What followed was a period of significant growth and transformation, both for the event and the wider congress landscape.
The challenge was not simply to manage events of increasing scale, but to continuously adapt, innovate and future-proof the conference experience for an increasingly global and digitally connected scientific community.
Our Approach
As a strategic partner, Kuoni Tumlare Congress became the driving force behind the evolution of the EAS Annual Meeting. Our role extended far beyond operational logistics, encompassing strategic planning, technology integration, financial management and long-term scalability.
The event’s growth and resilience are not the result of a single intervention, but of a sustained approach built around the following core pillars.
Scalable Strategy
From 550 delegates in 2014 to 2,309 in 2025 (including 671 online), we’ve supported the Annual Meeting’s impressive trajectory year after year.
Crisis-Driven Agility
In 2020 and 2021, we rapidly transitioned the event to fully online formats during COVID, not only sustaining but increasing delegate numbers to 1,778 and 2,464 respectively.
Hybrid Expertise
From 2022 onward, we successfully delivered hybrid events, blending in-person and digital engagement to maintain accessibility and global reach.
Proprietary Technology
The introduction of K-poster, our in-house abstract management platform, has enabled seamless handling of increasingly complex scientific content - culminating in 2,547 abstracts managed in 2025.
Local Identity, Global Reach
Every edition integrates the unique cultural DNA of its host city, while maintaining scientific and operational excellence at a European scale.
Cost-Effective Innovation
Smart vendor negotiations and budgeting strategies ensure continued access for EAS’s diverse international audience.
The Results
Congress attendance has demonstrated strong overall growth between 2019 and 2025. In 2019, the congress welcomed 1,240 delegates in an entirely in-person format. By 2025, total attendance had increased to 2,309 delegates, representing an overall growth of approximately 86%.
The introduction of online and later hybrid formats has expanded accessibility and enabled broader participation from delegates worldwide. The hybrid model in particular has supported continued growth while maintaining the benefits of in-person engagement.
Overall, attendance in 2025 represents the highest level recorded for a hybrid congress and reflects the continued strength, relevance, and international reach of the meeting.
“Kuoni Tumlare Congress has become the backbone and continuous factor of our Annual Meeting.”
– European Astronomical Society
Evidence & Impact
Taken together, the data demonstrates sustained, compound growth across both attendance and scientific output. Total delegate numbers increased from 550 in 2014 to 2,309 in 2025, representing approximately 14% compound annual growth over the period. Scientific engagement followed a similar trajectory, with abstract submissions rising from 1,331 in 2019 to 2,547 in 2025 (≈11% CAGR).
Crucially, this growth was not disrupted by the COVID-19 crisis. A rapid transition to fully online delivery sustained - and temporarily accelerated - participation, peaking at 2,464 delegates in 2021, before stabilising into a mature hybrid model. By 2025, 671 online delegates (≈29%) reflected a structurally embedded global access strategy rather than a temporary workaround.
All growth rates calculated from EAS Annual Meeting data, 2019-2025, using the standard CAGR formula.
What This Means for You
Delivering a successful congress today requires more than operational coordination. Associations must balance growth ambitions with financial sustainability, support both in-person and digital participation, and maintain scientific integrity while adapting to evolving delegate expectations. As an experienced Professional Congress Organiser, Kuoni Tumlare Congress provides the strategic partnership, operational expertise and technology-enabled solutions needed to navigate this complexity with confidence.
We work alongside associations to design scalable congress frameworks that support long-term development. This includes implementing hybrid participation models to expand global access, strengthening financial performance through structured budgeting and supplier management, and delivering seamless delegate experiences supported by integrated accommodation management solutions and reliable event technology.
Our approach ensures that your congress remains resilient, accessible and aligned with your organisation’s mission. Whether you are managing rapid growth, modernising your event format or seeking a trusted strategic partner, we provide tailored congress solutions designed to support sustainable success and long-term community engagement.
Get in touch with our team to discuss how Kuoni Tumlare Congress can support your next event and help you build a future-ready congress strategy.
Related Insights
Keep exploring. More news and perspectives await.