Is there any greater joy than discovering there are direct flights from Shannon to your conference destination? Perhaps not. Those three little words — Flights from Shannon — are enough to warm the heart of any weary traveller.
This year’s HEPA Europe Conference took us to Kaunas, Lithuania — a charming and often-overlooked city — where, as part of the IMPAQT consortium, I had plenty to share.
Before the main event, we hosted an IMPAQT preconference workshop introducing the PA-EPI tool — the framework we use to assess how well physical activity policies are implemented. The session combined presentations on physical activity policy with hands-on exercises and interactive discussions, giving participants the chance to experience the tool in action. The workshop proved popular, with all 30 places quickly snapped up.
On the conference’s first day, the PESS and IMPAQT teams joined the “focal points marketplace,” an interactive session designed to connect researchers with national focal points — policymakers appointed by EU member states to help monitor physical activity initiatives. We facilitated small-group discussions that encouraged lively knowledge exchange and collaboration.
The final day featured our IMPAQT symposium, where we shared updates on the consortium’s ongoing work, including the creation of a best-practice database highlighting successful physical activity policies from across Europe. These examples aim to inspire policymakers and promote learning between countries.
As the conference wrapped up, there was finally time to explore Kaunas — an underrated gem perfect for a weekend getaway. With its fascinating museums, leafy pedestrian streets, and excellent restaurants, it’s well worth a visit. And best of all? You can get there on flights from Shannon.
Kevin Volf is a Postdoc in the Department of Physical Education & Sport Sciences, University of Limerick.
Contact: Email: kevin.volf@ul.ie Follow on X ORCID Bluesky LinkedIn ResearchGate
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