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Early Career Attendee Guide
Plan your week at the 2026 World Congress on Pain with this overview of dedicated early-career programming, mentoring and professional-development sessions, networking opportunities, poster activities, and pre-congress events.
Getting to BITEC
The World Congress takes place at the Bangkok International Trade & Exhibition Centre (BITEC), 88 Debaratna Road (km. 1), Bangna Tai, Bangna, Bangkok 10260, Thailand.
- Airport access: BITEC is approximately 14 km from Suvarnabhumi Airport and 39 km from Don Mueang Airport. Allow extra time for Bangkok traffic.
- Train/Metro: Use BTS Skytrain to arrive at the Bang Na Station (E13), Exit 1, then follow the approximately 160-metre indoor skywalk with travelators to BITEC.
- Taxi: Taxis are available at Event Hall 101 and the Business Centre; advance taxi bookings can be arranged through the Business Centre.
- Car Share and Taxi Service: The Grab app can be used throughout Bangkok to book private cars or taxis. Enter BITEC as your destination and confirm your exact pick-up or drop-off point in the app.
World Congress Hours
All times are Bangkok local time. All times and dates are subject to change. Confirm final details in the Full Scientific Program.
Registration
| 25 Oct: | 07:00–18:00 |
|---|---|
| 26 Oct: | 07:00–18:00 |
| 27 Oct: | 07:00–18:00 |
| 28 Oct: | 07:00–18:00 |
| 29 Oct: | 07:00–18:00 |
| 30 Oct: | 07:00–12:00 |
Exhibit Hall
| 26 Oct: | 17:00–19:00 |
|---|---|
| 27 Oct: | 09:00–17:00 |
| 28 Oct: | 09:00–17:00 |
| 29 Oct: | 09:00–17:00 |
Plenary Sessions
| 27 Oct: | 08:15–09:30 14:00–15:15 |
|---|---|
| 28 Oct: | 08:15–09:30 11:15–12:45 |
| 29 Oct: | 08:15–09:30 11:15–12:45 |
| 30 Oct: | 08:15–09:30 11:15–12:45 |
Early Career Networking Center
| 27 Oct: | 09:00–17:00 |
|---|---|
| 28 Oct: | 09:00–17:00 |
| 29 Oct: | 09:00–17:00 |
Poster Presentations
| 27 Oct: | 09:30–11:00 15:15–16:45 |
|---|---|
| 28 Oct: | 09:30–11:00 15:15–16:45 |
| 29 Oct: | 09:30–11:00 15:15–16:45 |
Speaker Ready Room
| 25 Oct: | 07:00–17:00 |
|---|---|
| 26 Oct: | 07:00–18:30 |
| 27 Oct: | 07:00–18:30 |
| 28 Oct: | 07:00–18:30 |
| 29 Oct: | 07:00–18:30 |
| 30 Oct: | 07:00–12:00 |
Early Career Attendee Checklist
Review the Full Scientific Program
Confirm times and locations and identify the sessions and posters most relevant to you.
View the Full Scientific ProgramDownload the mobile app
Build your schedule, use BITEC maps, connect with attendees, and receive updates.
Download the Mobile AppEarly Career Networking Center Programming
The Early Career Networking Center in GH201 offers mentoring, career development, and opportunities to connect with peers. Planned activities include:
Tuesday 27 October
First Timers Meet-Up & Early Career Networking
Connect with other early-career and first-time attendees before the opening plenary.
Mastering Mentorship & Speed Mentoring
Learn how to strengthen mentoring relationships in a discussion for IASP members at all career stages, followed by speed mentoring for early- to mid-career attendees. A limited number of lunches will be available.
Wednesday 28 October
Discuss career challenges with researchers and peers, including balancing clinical and research work, conducting research during conflict, and building research careers in lower-middle-income settings. A limited number of lunches will be available.
Thursday 29 October
Meet the Editors of PAIN and PAIN Reports
Join the journal editors for an interactive session on active voice and practical approaches to strengthening academic writing.
Wednesday 28, Thursday 29, and Friday 30 October
Networking and Mindfulness Sessions
Start the day with informal networking and morning activities before the plenary. Check the program for each day’s coffee and mindfulness sessions.
Thursday 29 October
Hear selected poster presenters give brief summaries of their research. View the afternoon session.
Networking Events
Monday 26 October
First-Time Attendee Meet-and-Greet
For first-time attendees: Meet returning attendees, speakers, and IASP leaders for introductions and practical advice before the Welcome Reception.
Meet colleagues across pain research and care, reconnect with collaborators, and make introductions for the week ahead. Visit exhibitors and the IASP Marketplace while the commercial exhibition is open.
Wednesday 28 October
Early-career attendees can meet peers and build connections at an indoor sports and entertainment venue. This reception is only for early-career attendees.
Early Career Pre-Congress: Painhack
Painhack is an Early Career Network initiative held before the main Congress program. Both tracks require additional registration and an accompanying World Congress registration.
Sunday 25 October
Painhack: Early Career Professional Development Track
Seminars and workshops on professional skills and interdisciplinary research. Reserved for trainees and early-career professionals up to five years after completing student or fellowship training.
Sunday 25 and Monday 26 October
Work in teams on interdisciplinary pain projects with shared open-science tools. The Project Track is open to attendees at any career stage.
Exhibit/Poster Hall Activities
Poster Sessions and Discussions
Date |
Morning |
Afternoon |
|---|---|---|
Tuesday, 27 October |
09:30–11:00 |
15:15–16:45 |
Wednesday, 28 October |
09:30–11:00 |
15:15–16:45 |
Thursday, 29 October |
09:30–11:00 |
15:15–16:45 |
Innovation Stage
| Date and Time | Session |
|---|---|
| Tuesday, 27 October12:45–13:00 | The 2026 Global Year and You |
| Tuesday, 27 October13:15–13:45 | Innovation through Policy Change: How and Why IASP Advocates |
| Tuesday, 27 October16:15–16:45 | Fire & Ice: Two Methods, One Goal: Minimally-Invasive Treatment of Pain with Radiofrequency and Cryoanalgesia |
| Wednesday, 28 October13:15–13:45 | How to Improve Animal Welfare in Pain Research |
| Thursday, 29 October10:30–11:00 | Tonmya®: Clinical Development and Scientific Evidence in Fibromyalgia |
Technology & Innovation Pavilion: VR Immersion Hub
Explore virtual reality applications in pain research, care, rehabilitation, and self-management through expert-led demonstrations and guided experiences. Demonstrations and live experiences will be held during scheduled breaks.
| Date | Times |
|---|---|
| Tuesday, 27 October |
10:00–11:0012:45–13:4515:30–16:30
|
| Wednesday, 28 October |
10:00–11:0012:45–13:4515:30–16:30
|
| Thursday, 29 October |
10:00–11:0012:45–13:4515:30–16:30
|
Thai Traditional Medicine Pavilion
Learn about Thai massage and traditional approaches to pain care through demonstrations and supervised experiences with trained therapists.
Date |
Hours |
|---|---|
Monday, 26 October |
17:00–19:00 |
Tuesday, 27 October |
09:00–17:00 |
Wednesday, 28 October |
09:00–17:00 |
Thursday, 29 October |
09:00–17:00 |
IASP Marketplace
Booth 103, Exhibit Hall. Meet staff to learn about IASP membership, programs, and publications; add to the community world map; and shop for IASP and Congress merchandise. Donate US$50 or more to the Support a Member Fund and choose one merchandise item as our gift to you, while supplies last.
Company-Sponsored Lunch Symposia
All lunch symposia: 12:45–13:45.
Tuesday 27 October
- Haleon: Quality of Life and Pain Relief: Real-World Evidence & Clinical Practice.Room: 224–225
- Viatris: Mixed Pain in Chronic Low Back Pain: Closer to the Rule Than the Exception?Room: Grand Hall 202
Wednesday 28 October
- Eli Lilly and Company: Advancing the Science of Analgesic Assessment in Chronic Musculoskeletal Disease.Room: Grand Hall 202
- Daiichi Sankyo: Neuropathic Pain Management with the Next Generation Gabapentinoid: From Pharmacological Insights to Real-World Clinical Practice.Room: 222–223
- Grünenthal: Clinical Challenges in PSNP: Unmet Needs and Latest Data.Room: 224–225
Thursday 29 October
- Merz Therapeutics: Research in Peripheral Neuropathic Pain with IncobotulinumtoxinA: Pre-clinical and PaiNT Phase 2 Study Results.Room: Grand Hall 202
For registration or general questions about the 2026 World Congress on Pain, consult the FAQ or contact congress@iasp-pain.org.