ESTSS Conference 2025 in Tbisili: A partnership defined by resilience

The European Society for Traumatic Stress Studies (ESTSS) is a leading pan-European organisation dedicated to advancing psychotraumatology through research, education, clinical practice, and policy engagement. Bringing together academics, researchers, healthcare professionals, and trauma specialists, ESTSS works to improve understanding and responses to trauma arising from conflict, disaster, violence, displacement, and other societal challenges. ESTSS’ work extends beyond scientific exchange to strengthening trauma-informed care, supporting disaster response, improving professional training standards, and contributing to public policy across Europe. 

Abbey Conferences first partnered with ESTSS in 2019 to deliver its Belfast conference, beginning a relationship that would soon be tested by some of the most challenging circumstances facing both society and the meetings industry. From navigating the postponement of Belfast due to the COVID-19 pandemic to successfully delivering ESTSS Conference 2025 amid political uncertainty in Georgia, the partnership has been defined by resilience, trust, transparency, and a shared commitment to advancing trauma research and professional practice. 

Hosted by the Georgian Society for Psychotrauma (GSP), the 18th Biennial ESTSS Conference took place in Tbilisi under the theme “Exploring new approaches for healing and recovery in times of global uncertainty and extreme stress.” The theme resonated strongly with both the global psychotraumatology community and the host destination. Georgia’s history of resilience, perseverance, and recovery provided a meaningful backdrop for discussions on trauma, healing, and community wellbeing. The conference created an important platform for advancing trauma research, sharing evidence-based practice, and strengthening international collaboration at a time when these conversations were needed more than ever. 

Challenges 
The ESTSS Conference 2025 was shaped by a unique combination of scientific, societal, and operational challenges. 

• Addressing urgent societal challenges: The conference theme centred on some of the most pressing issues facing society today including war, displacement, authoritarianism, occupational trauma, environmental disasters, and violence. The programme needed to facilitate meaningful scientific exchange while translating research into practical solutions for clinicians, policymakers, and communities. 

• Political uncertainty in the host destination: Ongoing political demonstrations in Georgia required careful monitoring and proactive risk management. ESTSS and Abbey Conferences needed to maintain participant confidence in the destination while ensuring strong international participation. 

• Continuity through disruption: Abbey Conferences began working with ESTSS in 2019 to deliver the Belfast 2021 Conference. The COVID-19 pandemic forced the event to be postponed until 2023, requiring extensive contract renegotiations, duplicate planning efforts, and ongoing support for local organising committee members. Preserving organisational momentum, stakeholder confidence, and community engagement over a four-year journey demanded flexibility, resilience, and a strong partnership approach. 

• Balancing science with human experience: As a conference focused on trauma and recovery, creating an environment that felt welcoming, supportive and psychologically safe was of particular importance. 

Solutions 
Working closely with ESTSS and the GSP, Abbey Conferences delivered a conference that balanced scientific advancement and community connection. 

Key initiatives included: 

• Strategic partnership and risk management: Abbey Conferences worked alongside ESTSS to monitor evolving regional developments, implement robust contingency planning, and provide transparent communication to participants and stakeholders throughout the planning process. 

• Collaborative crisis management and stakeholder support: To navigate the political challenges surrounding Tbilisi 2025, Abbey Conferences established a three-way communication framework between Abbey Conferences, the ESTSS International Committee, and the Georgian host team. This created a psychologically safe environment for honest discussions around risks, capabilities, and contingency planning. Abbey Conferences absorbed additional logistical responsibilities from Georgian colleagues affected by the situation, allowing local hosts to focus on supporting their community and participants. Risk management measures included proactive participant communications, safety reassurance videos, and enhanced travel support for attendees impacted by regional conflicts. 

• A platform for global knowledge exchange: The programme featured leading international experts, keynote presentations, workshops, masterclasses, poster sessions and flash talks across seven specialist streams including occupational trauma, trauma related to war and violence, trauma across the lifespan, and intervention research. 

• Supporting meaningful dialogue: Beyond scientific content, the conference created opportunities for participants to engage in discussions around resilience, recovery, and the practical application of trauma research in communities affected by conflict and crisis. Local hosts shared personal experiences of resilience and recovery, helping participants gain a deeper understanding of Georgia’s social and cultural context. 

• Creating a safe and welcoming environment: Through careful planning, responsive participant support, and seamless onsite delivery, Abbey Conferences helped foster a conference atmosphere that encouraged dialogue, reflection and community building. 

• Cultural integration and authentic storytelling: Rather than separating participants from the realities of the host destination, meaningful cultural experiences were created that fostered understanding and connection. Participants experienced authentic Georgian cuisine, traditional polyphonic singing workshops, and local entertainment, while the German Ambassador's Welcome Reception address and personal stories shared by Georgian hosts provided important social and political context. This approach enabled participants to engage more deeply with the destination, its people, and the lived experiences that shaped many of the conference discussions. 

Outcomes 
ESTSS Conference 2025 demonstrated how scientific meetings can drive professional advancement, human connection, and broader societal impact. 

• Strong international participation: The conference welcomed 493 participants from 45 countries, bringing together researchers, clinicians, policymakers, and practitioners working at the forefront of trauma care and research. 

• Advancing trauma knowledge and practice: Participants shared the latest evidence, interventions and approaches to trauma prevention, treatment, and recovery, helping strengthen care for individuals and communities affected by conflict, disaster, violence, displacement, and other traumatic experiences. 

• Supporting policy and societal outcomes: Discussions informed wider conversations around disaster response, conflict, displacement, child protection, occupational trauma, and disaster recovery, strengthening the evidence base that supports policy development and professional practice. 

• Building international solidarity: By bringing together professionals working in regions experiencing conflict, uncertainty, and social change, the conference reinforced the importance of collaboration and collective action in addressing global challenges. 

• Authentic cultural exchange and understanding: The supportive environment enabled Georgian hosts to share authentic personal experiences of political upheaval and resilience. Through genuine storytelling and lived experiences, participants developed a deeper understanding of Georgia, its people, and its challenges, leaving as ambassadors who could share informed and positive perspectives about the country internationally. 

Through trust, transparency, and operational excellence, Abbey Conferences helped ESTSS deliver a conference that was a platform for advancing trauma research, strengthening professional practice, fostering international collaboration, and building human connection during times of uncertainty. From the disruption of COVID-19 in Belfast to the challenges of delivering ESTSS Conference 2025 in Tbilisi, the partnership demonstrated how solidarity, honesty, and genuine support can transform adversity into community strength. The relationship evolved far beyond a traditional PCO-client model and stands as a powerful example of how associations and IAPCO Accredited PCOs can work together to create lasting professional, societal, and human impact.