Previous international conferences

ADI has held its international conference since 1985, with each conference bringing together people and ideas from Alzheimer associations, people with dementia and their families, professional care and research.

Alzheimer’s Disease International international conference has been hosted by Alzheimer associations around the world since 1985. Each conference has been unique, but always bringing together people and ideas from Alzheimer associations, people with dementia and their families, professional care and research.

London, 2022

The 35th Global Conference of ADI, was delivered as a hybrid conference. We were delighted to welcome delegates both virtually and in London for our first in-person conference since 2018.

The programme in 2022 followed the World Health Organization (WHO)’s Global action plan on dementia, with diverse international keynote speakers delivering plenary sessions for each of the seven action areas of the plan: increased dementia policy, awareness, risk reduction, diagnosis, treatment, care and support, support for carers, information systems and research.

Virtual, 2020

The 34th International Conference of ADI, hosted with Alzheimer’s Disease Association (ADA) in Singapore was delivered as a virtual conference. With the move to a virtual conference, we were delighted to be able to offer significantly reduced registration rates to participate in what was the first global, virtual, multidisciplinary dementia conference of its kind.

The programme in 2020 took a new approach, building around the World Health Organization (WHO)’s Global action plan on dementia, with diverse international keynote speakers delivering plenary sessions for each of the seven action areas of the plan: increased dementia policy, awareness, risk reduction, diagnosis, treatment, care and support, support for carers, information systems and research. Delegates also heard the latest research on COVID-19 and dementia.

Chicago, USA, 2018

ADI hosted the 33rd International Conference of Alzheimer’s Disease International in Chicago, USA. The conference was attended by over 750 delegates. We kicked off each day with an inspirational introductory presentation from a person living with dementia, to remind delegates why their continued hard work in the field is so important. The conference featured a new strand on technology, innovation and entrepreneurship.

Kyoto, Japan, 2017

The 2017 conference, hosted with ADI by Alzheimer’s Association Japan (AAJ), was attended by 3,000 delegates and an additional 1,000 members of the public attended the exhibition. The title, ‘Together towards a new era’, was especially significant ahead of the historic adoption of a global plan on dementia by the World Health Organization (WHO). The conference concluded with a powerful message for governments everywhere to support the implementation of the global plan on dementia, including working with Alzheimer associations and people with dementia to turn the plan into action.

Budapest, Hungary, 2016

ADI and the Hungarian Alzheimer’s Society (HAS) hosted the 31st International Conference of Alzheimer’s Disease International with the title of ‘Dementia: Global Perspective, Local Solutions’. The programme included debates on the human rights of people with dementia and how they could be achieved in practice, as well as plenary sessions on lifestyle factors and risk reduction. The conference was attended by nearly 900 delegates including many people with dementia, along with professional and family carers, researchers, clinicians, and staff and volunteers of Alzheimer associations.

Perth, Australia, 2015

ADI and Alzheimer’s Australia hosted the 30th International Conference of Alzheimer’s Disease International in Western Australia. The 1100 delegates included more people with dementia than at any previous conference. The conference theme was ‘Care, Cure and the Dementia Experience – A Global Challenge‘, reflecting the varied programme covering care, medical research and lived experience.

San Juan, Puerto Rico, 2014

The 29th International Conference of Alzheimer’s Disease International was held in May 2014. Hundreds of delegates from around the world united in Puerto Rico’s capital to exchange knowledge and experiences and take part in ground-breaking discussions. The conference theme was Dementia: Working Together for a Global Solution. The conference featured plenary sessions on topics improving care and quality of life. A particular highlight was a panel discussion which debated whether or not people should be informed of their risk of developing dementia, as science progressed to make this possible.

Taipei, 2013

ADI partnered with TADA Chinese Taipei to host the 28th International Conference of Alzheimer’s Disease International in April 2013. More than 1000 delegates gathered in the vibrant city to exchange knowledge and experiences through informative sessions and lively workshops. A particular highlight of the event was an International Memory Walk with more than 3,000 participants, which took place around Taipei City Hall.  Under the heading Dementia: Action for Global Change, the conference featured plenary sessions on such topics as quality of life for people with dementia and carers and challenges for the global health systems.

London, 2012

In partnership with Alzheimer’s Society, ADI welcomed more than 1500 delegates in March 2012 under the theme of ‘Science Fact Fiction’. For the first time, a stream of sessions led by people with dementia was incorporated into the conference programme. These well-received sessions covered such topics as battling for diagnosis and treatment, life history and end of life issues. Professor Peter Piot, former Executive Director of UNAIDS, and British author Sir Terry Pratchett, who had dementia, delivered inspirational speeches during the conference opening ceremony.

Toronto, 2011

Canada’s culturally vibrant metropolis played host to ADI’s annual international conference in March 2011, titled “The Changing Face of Dementia”, co-hosted by Alzheimer Society of Canada. Delegates from all areas of the dementia field travelled from far and wide to share their work and learn from the experiences and knowledge of others. Emerging approaches in psychosocial research and new developments in Alzheimer’s disease diagnosis attracted much interest. Presentations on methods and programmes in place for reaching ethnic minorities and indigenous communities were a highlight of the programme.

Thessaloniki, Greece, 2010

The March 2010 conference was organised in collaboration with the Greek Association of Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Disorders. Highlights included a session showcasing efforts to engage people with dementia in the work of national Alzheimer associations, while presentations on arts and dementia included creative and thought-provoking work. Strong emphasis was placed on non-pharmacological treatment for helping people with dementia and their carers throughout the conference, with topics including support groups for people in the early stages of dementia and stress management programmes for carers.

Singapore, 2009

Alzheimer’s Disease Association (Singapore) welcomed over 1,100 delegates from 65 countries to ADI’s 24th international conference in March 2009. Strong emphasis was placed on quality of life, caring and creativity at the conference. Alongside a full programme of enlightening and moving presentations from speakers in keynote and parallel sessions, Alzheimer associations from the Asia Pacific region were given the opportunity to share information and experiences of dementia in their country, providing delegates with an idea of the hard work being done throughout the region. As ever, the ADI conference had a dynamic and welcoming family atmosphere.

Earlier conference locations

  • Caracas, Venezuela, 2007
  • Berlin, Germany, 2006
  • Istanbul, Turkey, 2005
  • Kyoto, Japan, 2004
  • Boca Chica, Dominican Republic, 2003
  • Barcelona, Spain, 2002
  • Christchurch, New Zealand, 2001
  • Washington DC, USA, 2000
  • Johannesburg, South Africa, 1999
  • Cochin, India, 1998
  • Helsinki, Finland, 1997
  • Jerusalem, Israel, 1996
  • Buenos Aires, Argentina, 1995
  • Edinburgh, UK, 1994
  • Toronto, Canada, 1993
  • Brussels, Belgium, 1992
  • Amsterdam, Netherlands, 1991
  • Mexico City, Mexico, 1990
  • Dublin, Ireland, 1989
  • Brisbane, Australia, 1988
  • Chicago, USA, 1987
  • Paris, France, 1986
  • Brussels, Belgium, 1985