Belfast Hosts Major UK Surgery Conference
Belfast Hosts Major UK Surgery Conference and Inspires the Next Generation of Local Surgeons
Belfast confirms its position as a leading destination for international business events, hosting the British Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons (BAOMS) Annual Scientific Meeting at ICC Belfast. The conference is supported by the Belfast & Northern Ireland conference subvention scheme from Belfast City Council & Tourism Northern Ireland, administered by Visit Belfast.
The three-day conference brought around 500 delegates to the city from 24 to 26 June and generated an estimated £510,500 for the Northern Ireland economy. Held under the theme “Inter-Faces”, the meeting featured around 190 research posters, with delegates from across the UK alongside international speakers. The conference also delivered a lasting legacy for Northern Ireland. On its final morning, the conference hosted a schools event for 120 sixth-form students from schools drawn from across Northern Ireland, who spent the morning with practising surgeons learning about oral and maxillofacial surgery and the career paths it offers.
Oral and Maxillofacial surgery is one of the smaller surgical specialties in Northern Ireland, with only 8 surgeons currently practising. The specialty requires two full degrees, in medicine and in dentistry, making it one of the longest training routes in surgery. The schools event aims to encourage more young people into the specialty and grow the number practising locally.
Students also had the opportunity to view the Saving Faces Art Project, a touring exhibition of portraits by BP Portrait Award winner Mark Gilbert, created during three years as artist-in-residence in oral and maxillofacial surgery at St Bartholomew’s and the Royal London Hospital. The paintings depict patients before, during and after facial surgery for injury, deformity and cancer.
Jude Abraham, Head of Business Events at Visit Belfast said,
“Hosting the BAOMS Annual Scientific Meeting is a significant achievement for Belfast and reflects the city’s growing reputation as a destination for major international conferences.
Events of this scale deliver real economic benefit, supporting hotels, restaurants and venues right across the city. Just as importantly, this conference leaves a lasting legacy.
"By connecting local students with leading surgeons, it helps inspire the next generation of specialists here in Northern Ireland."
Hilary West-Hurst, School Improvement Lead Education Authority said,
“Giving young people the chance to meet professionals and explore career options first hand makes a real difference.
Events like this open students’ eyes to paths they may never have considered, including highly specialised fields such as oral and maxillofacial surgery.
Ross Moffett, Sales Director at ICC Belfast added,
“We were proud to welcome BAOMS and its delegates to ICC Belfast.
Conferences of this calibre show the strength of Belfast as a destination for international business events and the experience the city can offer delegates from across the UK and beyond.
"It was especially rewarding to see the venue used on its final day to inspire local students, and we look forward to welcoming many more events that benefit the city.”
Peter Ramsay-Baggs, Belfast-based consultant oral and maxillofacial surgeon and BAOMS local ambassador said,
"As one of a small number of oral and maxillofacial surgeons working in Northern Ireland, I understand how important it is to encourage more young people into the specialty.
Hosting BAOMS in Belfast gave us a welcome opportunity to show students what this career involves and the difference it can make to patients' lives.
"The talent and teaching are already here, and events like this help us inspire the next generation and secure the future of the specialty in Northern Ireland."
BAOMS brings together oral and maxillofacial surgeons from across the UK and internationally each year. Its 2026 meeting in Belfast added to a growing list of major medical and scientific conferences hosted at ICC Belfast, supported by Visit Belfast's work to bring international business events to the city.
