55th Pediatric Advanced Training Course Obergurgl

Prof. Sperl: The combination of cross-national advanced training, practical specialist discussions and personal exchange held during the winter season in Austria's highest parish church village is unique. The location at the rear end of the valley encircled by the glacier world offers a very special ambience. It promotes not only the exchange of knowledge, but also lasting friendship with participants from Germany, Austria and Switzerland. This is very much appreciated and the event is always very well booked within a very short time.

Prof. Weghuber: The course is very compact and offers continuous further training for three different groups of participants: one third come from university clinics, one third from hospitals and one third are general pediatricians in private practice. Within just one week, they all receive an update across the entire field of pediatrics, not only at the highest level in terms of Obergurgl’s location but also at the highest professional scientific level.

The course started as a small event at Hotel Hochfirst in Obergurgl. Interest grew steadily, so we moved to the newly built Piccard Hall in the village center in the mid-1990s. This venue was perfect for over 25 years, but then the 250-person event room was no longer big enough. Additionally, the congress technology could no longer keep up with the growing demands. At Gurgl Carat we now have a congress center that offers everything: sufficient space, state-of-the-art event technology and direct connection to the Alpine panorama that can be admired through the large windows of the gallery.

The new Gurgl Carat is a congress center caters to all demands. It allows meetings at the highest technical level and at the same time does not lack the charm of the old days. People meet to exchange knowledge and content on the one hand, but also to maintain contact with colleagues on the other. Therefore, you need an atmosphere that makes this possible. And that’s guaranteed at the new Gurgl Carat in a way that stands out and sparkles like a diamond.

Prof. Sperl: We start our packed program punctually at 8:15 am and meet until around 11:15 am. Afterwards there is the opportunity to meet the experts. During a short lunch break, the participants can recharge their batteries in the fresh air of the Ötztal Alps. The training program continues from 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm and after dinner there is usually another lecture. This allows us to cover all the training content in terms of quality and quantity. It is precisely this combination of high-level training in a spectacular natural environment, coupled with leisure activities and very attractive hotels, that our colleagues from Germany, Switzerland and increasingly also from South Tyrol appreciate.

Prof. Weghuber: Short distances are decisive. Because the ski slopes in Obergurgl are already on the doorstep. We are in a secluded spot that is easily accessible by public or private transport, where participants can also practice winter sports, but can get back very quickly to the congress center. The fact that the congress hall is always full speaks for itself and shows that the colleagues appreciate both the ambience and the content.

The advanced training course has become a very strong brand over the years. As a pediatrician, I wrote further training history here and established a tradition in Obergurgl. In Germany, I'm less known as the rector or as the head of the children's clinic, but much more because of my activity in Obergurgl. I really love this place, even during my studies at the University of Innsbruck, I was at Obergurgl’s University Center. When I became head of the children's clinic in Salzburg, the leadership of the advanced training course was practically tailor-made for me. Now I accompany the event from the second row.

The upgrade of the congress venue by Gurgl Carat is particularly gratifying. Because the congress center offers all the technical requirements to motivate colleagues to participate also in the future. The gigantic front screen is particularly impressive. It allows us to use the entire width of the room for presentations and also has excellent acoustics. This in turn means that the participants can follow the lectures in a very pleasant manner. Gurgl Carat offers a level of comfort that is otherwise only known from outstanding congress centers around the globe.