How Marie Curie delivered a globally accessible virtual conference to improve end-of-life care with Ivent Pro
“We wanted to ensure we share evidence as far as possible — to inform and inspire attendees, and ultimately improve end-of-life care for all.”
Marie Curie’s Research Into Practice Conference 2025 was designed to share the latest palliative and end-of-life care research — with the ultimate goal of improving experiences of people at end of life and those that care for them.
As well as presenting findings live, the event aimed to foster collaboration among practice-based professionals across the globe, reinforce Marie Curie’s leadership in the sector and support practitioners through accessible, on-demand content.
“We felt the team was engaged with the conference and took genuine interest in its success.”
Marie Curie found Ivent Pro after receiving a recommendation from a peer charity. The team needed a virtual event platform that offered both the advanced functionality they required and a commercially sensible solution aligned with their budget and goals.
Key reasons for choosing Ivent included…
“We used the white glove service and found this very useful as first-time users.”
As first-time users, the team appreciated having a clear onboarding structure combined with responsive, hands-on support. The setup process was collaborative, with regular check-ins that allowed them to learn the platform quickly while staying focused on delivering the event. This balance of guidance and autonomy gave them the confidence to take control where needed, knowing help was always within reach. On the day, a dedicated help desk provided timely reassurance — not just for attendees, but for the organisers too — with clear communication and fast responses that helped reduce friction during live sessions.
“The team were flexible in findings ways to meet communication needs, including captions and interpreting.”
Accessibility was a priority from the outset, and the platform supported this in both setup and delivery. With guidance from the iVent team, the organisers were able to include BSL interpretation for a key session focusing on palliative and end of life care for deaf people — this was especially meaningful, as the presenter of that session was deaf. Closed captions and screen reader compatibility further widened access, and recordings were made available on-demand for those with conflicting schedules — a common reality for busy healthcare professionals. While a workaround was needed for one blind user, overall feedback indicated few barriers to participation and a largely accessible experience.
“iVent has flexibility to change things as we require them”
The team found the platform flexible in ways that mattered — both in terms of visual branding and practical control. Unlike other systems they had used in the past, which were more rigid or required external support for small changes, Ivent Pro allowed them to adapt the environment to their needs. They could update content, make layout adjustments, and align the visual setup with their identity — without long waits or technical blockers. Being able to log in and make tweaks themselves helped the organisers work more efficiently and stay in control of the process, especially as the event took shape in real time.
“I think some poster authors [at previous events] were kind of a bit saddened that… they didn’t really feel like [they were] connected to it. So having that chat and that presence this time was really nice.”
The ability to showcase posters within dedicated content spaces gave presenters more ownership over their contributions and made it easier for attendees to engage with specific research. Authors appreciated having their names, contact details, and content clearly displayed in one place, while the team found it helpful to share direct links when navigation questions arose. Compared to past platforms, where posters were difficult to access or felt like an afterthought, this setup was more visible, practical and better aligned with the collaborative nature of the event.
The 2025 Research into Practice Conference met its key goals: making research accessible, encouraging practical uptake and connecting healthcare professionals and researchers around the world, delivered at strong reach.
Engagement extended beyond live talks into poster spaces and booths, where real conversations took place. The event continued to generate interest even after it ended, through on-demand content and follow-up connections.
Accessibility was noticed and appreciated. And behind the scenes, the team had the tools and support they needed to make changes on the fly and feel in control throughout.
It also did something less measurable, but just as important: reinforced Marie Curie’s role as a trusted leader in end-of-life care — not just through research, but by how that research is shared among the public and professionals alike, and brought into practice.
It wasn’t perfect — and that’s the point. There’s still room to fine-tune, but the foundation is solid. And with a clearer sense of what works and what matters, the next step is simple: reach further, share better and keep making research that improves care actually reaches the people who need it.
Our collaboration with Marie Curie was both highly productive and deeply rewarding. From the outset, there was a strong sense of mutual respect and clear communication between our teams, which played a key role in the success of the project. Delivering a virtual event in support of such an important cause was a privilege, and we were proud to introduce Marie Curie to our white glove service. This allowed their internal team to focus on supporting frontline staff and key stakeholders, while we led on project delivery, technical build, and delegate communications. The partnership was a true example of how structured collaboration and a shared sense of purpose can lead to exceptional outcomes. —Beth Walker, Head of Event Project Management
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