Our history

For more than three decades, the European Health Management Conference (EHMC) has been a central meeting point for those shaping the future of health systems across Europe. Established by the European Health Management Association (EHMA), the Conference was created to strengthen health management capacity and to foster dialogue between policy, research, and practice at a European level. Since its early editions, EHMC has grown into a flagship event that reflects both the diversity of European health systems and the shared challenges they face.

EHMA itself was founded in 1982 with a clear mission: to support effective, equitable, and sustainable health systems by strengthening leadership, governance, and management. The creation of the European Health Management Conference soon followed, providing a structured space where health managers, policymakers, researchers, and practitioners could exchange knowledge, debate ideas, and learn from one another’s experiences. Over time, the Conference has evolved alongside Europe’s changing health landscape, responding to developments such as EU enlargement, digitalisation, increased professional mobility, and the emergence of stronger EU-level health policy frameworks.

A defining characteristic of EHMC is its rotating host model. Each year, the Conference is co-hosted by one or more EHMA member organisations in a different European country. This approach anchors the event in diverse national contexts and allows participants to engage directly with the realities of different health systems. By showcasing local governance arrangements, reform priorities, and organisational practices, EHMC promotes comparative learning and supports the adaptation of good practices across borders, rather than their simple replication.