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Why iPRES 2024 Should Top Your Conference Wishlist

Marlies Criel, Dries Moreels, Quincy Oeyen, Matthias Priem, Liselot Quisquater, and Heidi Van Peer
iPRES 2024 Organizing Committee

What conferences are you planning to attend next year? Be sure to consider iPRES and put it on top of your to-attend-wishlist! 16 through 20 September 2024, Ghent University, Digital Archives Flanders, VRT and meemoo, Flemish Institute for Archives are hosting iPRES 2024 in Ghent & Flanders. The upcoming conference will retain its core identity, but we are also incorporating some new features and additions. Join us in person or online to experience this very special 20th anniversary of iPRES!

Why should you attend iPRES 2024?

At iPRES you can learn, share and connect. Whether you are only at the start of your career or have been part of the scene for a long time, we welcome first-time participants and veteran delegates alike to foster curiosity, bring new perspectives, make connections with fellow practitioners and scholars, and, ultimately, help shape the future of the digital preservation landscape. IPRES offers a shared space for flourishing ideas, engaging discussions and life-long connections.

So, what to expect?

  • Monday: pre-conference events with tutorials, workshops and the Digital Preservation Awards Ceremony
  • Tuesday through Thursday: main conference with papers, panel discussions, lightning talks, social events and more
  • Friday: post-conference events with professional visits all over Flanders and beyond

But, what is new in this next edition?

  • One of the four organizing parties is VRT, Flanders’ national broadcaster. By bringing in the media sector, we aim to expand the iPRES community a little and start conversations between organizations with very different backgrounds, yet similar goals. 
  • We are designing a ‘Start to Preserve’ track to offer low-threshold access to the basics of digital preservation.
  • On Monday, we are hosting pre-conference workshops and tutorials, but also dedicate slots to satellite events, e.g. for specific sectors, communities or language groups.

Why should you come to Ghent?

While we aim to provide an inspiring program and engaging experience to both in-person and virtual attendees, we would love to welcome you in Ghent. Traveling to the conference will allow you to be fully absorbed in the conference, take part in more social events and maximize the opportunity to build networks with people from all over the world.

The cherry on top? Ghent – also referred to as ‘medieval Manhattan’, ‘the historic heart of Flanders’, ‘a city of all times’– is a compact and sustainable university city, with 15 centuries of history, splendid arts and a vibrant culture. 

Conveniently located in the heart of Europe, Ghent is easily accessible by train, bus, plane and car. We encourage you to opt for a sustainable option if you can. The main railway station Gent-Sint-Pieters is very well-connected and gives you easy access to the pre-conference events on Monday, which will take place within a distance of 10- to 15-minute walks.

Excited and ready to join iPRES 2024? 

  • Stay up to date via https://ipres2024.be
  • Sign up for the iPRES newsletter
  • Get ready for our Call for Contributions, launching 2 November 2023!