With a focus on advocacy, networking, and collaboration, the IPC offers a welcoming space to hear from experts and meet representatives from more than a dozen global societies at the 2026 International Conference.

After receiving the largest number of session proposals in its history, the International Participants Center (IPC) at the ATS 2026 International Conference will present a robust series of 12 multidisciplinary talks and gatherings open to all conference participants, May 16-19.

From its central location in Hall C, Level II, in the West Concourse of the Orange County Convention Center, the IPC will also host kiosks representing more than a dozen international organizations and societies with representatives available for networking and conversations about global health and professional development across medical and scientific disciplines.

ATS Executive Vice President of Global Health and Membership Cristina Braz described the 2026 IPC events as “gatherings that feature experts from many different global regions working on the frontlines of the field who will focus on advocacy, networking, and collaboration.”

Opening on May 16 with the Respiratory Society of the Americas Symposium, “Interstitial Lung Disease Across the Americas: Adult and Pediatric Perspectives,” the program includes two sessions focusing on tuberculosis, a session focusing on practical ways that artificial intelligence is being applied in the field for research and publishing, a Spanish-language program (with live English translation) on pulmonary diseases, a session examining ways to increase research capacity for global health, and more. A full lineup of events is included at the bottom of this article.

Braz emphasized that while the IPC sessions will be grounded in rigorous scientific information, the events are intentionally designed for rooms with a limited capacity of 100 attendees to allow for more informal discussions and networking. As such, she said, the events are often ideal opportunities for early career professionals to meet and interact with global experts.

“These events are an opportunity to exchange experiences and build collaboration,” added ATS Senior Manager of Global Health Daniel Cwirka. “They lend themselves to being opportunities for people to hang around, converse, and engage with one another after the presentations.”

The Women’s International Network in Global Thoracic Science (WINGS) is one group that grew as a result of IPC events. WINGS held its first gathering at the ATS 2025 International Conference and has hosted events beyond the conference, including a global webinar in January 2026 that promoted awareness of the critical role women leaders play in shaping respiratory health. In Orlando, the IPC will once again host a WINGS session. This year’s event features an overview of planned multi-society initiatives, a global society leadership panel, as well as mentoring and networking discussions.

Discussions with members of various international groups can also be held throughout the day at the IPC, where representatives from several global peer societies will staff information kiosks and be available to talk with conference attendees. A full list of these organizations is included at the end of this article.

The IPC will also host a happy hour reception on Sunday, May 17, providing an open, welcoming space for conference participants to connect in a more relaxed setting. This year, the gathering will feature live music performed by ATS staff and members, adding a personal and celebratory touch to the evening. Designed as a moment to relax during a busy conference week, the reception offers attendees an opportunity to unwind, enjoy informal conversations, and spend meaningful time together while strengthening global connections across the respiratory community.

The program will also feature, “Towards a Global Framework for Lung Health,” presented by the Forum of International Respiratory Societies (FIRS) Lung Health Taskforce on Sunday, May 17, 11 a.m.–noon ET. The Taskforce, working in partnership with the Global Lung Function Initiative, is advancing efforts to improve how lung health is conceptualized, assessed, and discussed worldwide. The group has developed a Spirometry Toolkit that includes a global spirometry standard operating procedure and training framework, and has identified key biological, environmental, and social determinants that influence lung health across the lifespan.

Building on this work, the FIRS Lung Health Taskforce is now exploring principles that could guide the future development of a Global Lung Health Index in response to the increasing global burden of respiratory disease. Braz noted that the session reflects the IPC’s broader mission, calling it “an important step toward aligning global partners around a shared understanding of lung health and creating tools that can inform policy, advocacy, and patient care worldwide.”

IPC Studio Sessions Schedule

(All sessions are held in Hall C, Level II, in the West Concourse of the Orange County Convention Center. All times listed are local, EDT.)

Saturday, May 16 | 2–4 p.m. ET
Respiratory Society of the Americas Symposium
“Interstitial Lung Disease Across the Americas: Adult and Pediatric Perspectives”

Sunday, May 17 | 10–11 a.m. ET
“Roadmap to Clean Air and Healthier Lungs”

Sunday, May 17 |11 a.m.–12 p.m. ET
FIRS Lung Health Task Force
“Towards a Global Framework for Lung Health”

Sunday, May 17 | 1:30–2:30 p.m. ET
“Counting Down Towards 2030: Eliminating Tuberculosis”

Sunday, May 17 | 3–4 p.m. ET
“Strengthening the Health Care Workforce for Respiratory Care in the Global South”

Monday, May 18 | 9-10 a.m. ET
Buenos Días ATS
“Hot Topics in Pulmonary Vascular Disease”
(Held in Spanish, with live English translations provided.)

Monday, May 18 | 10:15–11:15 a.m. ET
“The Underrecognized Burden of Asthma in LMICs”

Monday, May 18 | 11:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m. ET
STOP-TB Session
“The Changing Landscape of Drug-Resistant Tuberculosis”

Monday, May 18 | 4–5 p.m. ET
WINGS: Women’s International Network in Global Thoracic Science
“Fly High Together”

Monday, May 18 | 5–6 p.m. ET
Happy hour and MECOR reception

Tuesday, May 19 | 9–10 a.m. ET
“AI: Friend or Foe for Early-Career Researchers Around the World?”

Tuesday, May 19 | 10–11 a.m. ET
“Early Insults and Lung Trajectories”

Tuesday, May 19 | 1:10–2:10 p.m. ET
“Increasing Research Capacity for Global Health”

List of Peer Societies Represented at IPC

AAMR – Asociación Argentina de Medicina Respiratoria

ALAT – Asociación Latinoamericana de Tórax

APSR – Asian Pacific Society of Respirology

CTS – Canadian Thoracic Society

CTS – Chinese Thoracic Society

EPPS – Egyptian Pediatric Pulmonology Society

ESSB – Egyptian Scientific Society of Bronchology

ICS – Indian Chest Society

ISAM – International Society for Aerosols in Medicine

ISRD – International Society of Respiratory Diseases

JRS – The Japanese Respiratory Society

KATRD – The Korean Academy of Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases

PATS – Pan African Thoracic Society

PCCP – Philippine College of Chest Physicians

SBPT – Sociedade Brasileira de Pneumologia e Tisiologia

SIMRI – The Italian Society for Pediatric Respiratory Diseases

SMNyCT – Sociedad Mexicana de Neumología y Cirugía de Tórax

STS – Saudi Thoracic Society

TSANZ – The Thoracic Society of Australia and New Zealand

TTS – Turkish Thoracic Society