đ First Time at ESMRMB? Tips & Tricks for Getting the Most Out of the 2026 Annual Meeting in girona
So, youâre going to the 2026 ESMRMB meeting in Girona âperfect! This is your chance to dive into the vibrant, sometimes overwhelming, but always inspiring world of MR conferences.
Whether youâre making your in-person conference debut or youâre already experienced and just looking for fresh tips, this guide will help you navigate it allâwith advice collected from conference veterans, past webinars, and early career researchers like you.
đŻ Before the Conference: Set Yourself Up for Success
đĄ Know the conference structure
The meeting has three focus topics: The Future of MR in Society, The Future of MR in Clinical Practice & The Future of MR Machines, and two educational tracks: Building together & Broadening the Horizon. Looking for sessions within a track will help you find coherent themes.
đ Explore the program early
Start by browsing the program for your topics of interestâdonât try to see everything. Prioritize sessions, speakers, and abstracts that excite you.
đ Build your own schedule
Some prefer digital tools, others like to scribble on printoutsâdo what works best for you. Add buffer time! Some sessions are far apart, and spontaneous hallway chats are often the best moments.
đ¤ Make a list of people to meet
Reach out to potential collaborators, researchers whose work you admire, or people youâve only met online. A quick âHey, are you attending ESMRMB?â message goes a long way.
đˇ Know your social schedule
From the Welcome Reception on Thursday, the Poster Drinks on Friday, to the Congress Dinner on Saturday (be sure to book it explicitly), every day during the ESMRMB meeting is full of informal chances to connect. Ask aroundâthere are always institution-specific events and spontaneous meetups.
đ§ During the Conference: Make It Yours
đ Make the most of the program
Check session contents, not just titles. Focus on what's most relevant to your current projects or learning gaps. Be sure to check out session types such as educationals, hot topics debates, and member sessions beyond the classic scientific sessions.
đ Find your conference style
Some love talks, others thrive in poster sessions or short lighting talks. Donât force yourself into every session blockâposter halls and coffee corners can be just as valuable.
đ Take notesâyour future self will thank you
Decide beforehand how youâll keep track (notebook, app, OneNote, etc.). Label clearly for easier post-conference review.
đ Network without pressure
Not into cold networking? Start with sessions by people you're curious about. Prepare 1â2 questions in advance. Itâs a smooth way to start a conversation. The ESMRMB community is a friendly and welcoming crowd, always open to meeting new peopleâso donât hesitate to reach out.
đŹ You know someone âfrom the literatureâ but are afraid to talk to them?
Send an email to suggest to meet at their poster for a short chat or tell a colleague/friend who knows them to get you introduced. Or just be brave and say hi at their poster session. Its okay to say you are new to MRI and guaranteed people will be kind to you.
𧲠Want to attract people to your poster?
Add some fun frills that people can ask you about or mini-print-outs or little objects that can help to explain your research in layman's terms. You can also participate in the GAP award to further promote your abstract and have a chance of winning up to 200 âŹ.
⸠Take breaks, skip guilt-free
FOMO is real, but burnout is worse. Schedule in time to eat, rest, and discover the cityâespecially with Gironaâs sun calling outside! Perhaps this would be a good time to try out the MR board game!
đ¤ Presenters: Own Your Moment
đŹ Donât panic if you donât know the answer
Itâs okay to say, âThatâs a great questionâIâd love to follow up afterward.â Stay after your sessionâthereâs now dedicated time to meet speakers!
đ Be approachable
You donât need business cards, but make sure your name and contact info are findable (e.g., QR codes, LinkedIn, email on your last slide).
⨠Donât overcomplicate your presentation.
Keep it simple and clearâdonât rush through it. Itâs always better to say a bit less and deliver a strong, memorable message, rather than overload your talk with too much information.
đĄ Feeling nervous? Youâre not alone.
If you feel like throwing yourself in front of a bus to avoid presenting, know that most speakers recognize that feeling (even the experienced ones!). Itâs totally normal to be stressed. Youâll do great!
đ¤ Not Sure How to Mingle? Try This:
â Compliment someoneâs poster or talk â itâs a natural conversation starter.
â Ask what theyâve enjoyed at the conference so far â everyone has a favorite moment!
â Say youâre new â it's relatable and instantly lowers the barrier.
đ After the Conference: Donât Let It End
đ Review & share your notes
Consider organizing a wrap-up meeting with your group. Summarize your highlights and discuss what you learned.
đ¨ Follow up
Send short, friendly messages to people you met or whose work inspired you. Mention something specific from your interaction, or share a related paper.
đĄ Stay connected
Follow ESMRMB on social media. Watch for ECRC highlights and future events to keep the momentum going.
Missed something?
Check ESMRMBâs YouTube channel for some of the previous yearsâ educational talks!
đŹ Final Thoughts
Conferences can feel like a whirlwind, especially the first time. You won't see everything, and thatâs okay. Let yourself explore, make space for serendipity, andâmost importantlyâenjoy the ride.
If you want a first-timerâs perspective, listen to our ECRC podcast with Annelia Haek (Ghent University) on preparing a power pitch, navigating nonstop socializing, and turning nerves into momentum. đ§ Play the episode on Spotify
Welcome to the ESMRMB community. See you in Girona!