Home News ‘I’ll wear a kilt!’ – Edinburgh announced as host for World Congress of Audiology 2028

‘I’ll wear a kilt!’ – Edinburgh announced as host for World Congress of Audiology 2028

WCA 2026 closes in Seoul as flag passes to Scotland for 2028

Phil Creighton29 May 20262 Mins read97

A high-angle, wide shot of a bustling convention center lobby during the 37th World Congress of Audiology. Above the main entrance to the Grand Ballroom, a massive digital screen spans the wall, featuring a bright blue gradient background with the text "37th World Congress of Audiology" and the theme "Broadening the Horizon of Audiology". Below, a diverse crowd of international delegates in business casual attire stands around tables, networking and talking on the polished marble floor.

Delegates gathering in the lobby of the Coex Center in Seoul during the 37th World Congress of Audiology, which saw 1,540 attendees from 82 countries. Picture: Phil Creighton

The next World Congress of Audiology will take place in Scotland, and the incoming president has promised to wear a kilt for the occasion.

The closing ceremony of the 37th Congress in Seoul was held on Wednesday, 29 May, and saw delegates have an opportunity to reflect on the events of the past few days and look forward to 2028’s event.

In all, 1,540 attended from 82 countries. Understandably, the majority – 392 – came from Korea. There were 155 Australian delegates, 90 from the United States (and 214 from the Americas), 58 from Africa, 56 from the UK, and 53 from Japan.

A wide shot from the back of an auditorium showing a large group of international delegates standing in a long row on a brightly lit stage. Behind them, a massive digital screen displays names and corresponding countries in black text against a light blue background, including visible entries like "Mirko ALDÈ (Italy)", "Prajna BHAT J (India)", "Sabrina BOUZAID (France)", and "Jennifer KOEHLER (Germany)". The delegates are dressed in professional and traditional attire, looking toward the camera. In the foreground, the back of the heads of several audience members are visible as they sit in darkened rows watching the presentation. — International grant recipients gathered on stage to receive their certificates during the closing ceremony of the 37th World Congress of Audiology in Seoul. Picture: Phil Creighton

Over the five days, there were 131 sessions and hundreds of presentations, including posters detailing research, which were on show in the exhibition area. In all, 310 people spoke, representing 35 countries; several of the presentations were on the subject of Auracast.

Awards were made to those who gave the best presentations and created the best posters.

Grants were awarded to enable people from around the world to attend the Congress, held at the Coex Convention and Exhibition Centre in Seoul’s Gangnam district. The recipients were invited to the stage to receive certificates.

In her closing remarks, Jinsook Kim, co-president of the WCA 2026 Seoul, said it had been an honour and a great pleasure to share the event with delegates.

“We have gained new perspectives, inspirations, friendship and meaningful moments. With this extraordinary experience, we’ll move forward together, continue to advance global audiology, and help provide better and more effective care to everyone around the world in many ways,” she said.

“I also hope that the friendships and connections made during the Congress will continue far beyond this meeting and grow into lasting collaboration and future innovation in our field.

“It has been especially rewarding for us to welcome you from around the world and share with you the culture, hospitality and spirit of Seoul.”

A vibrant, close-up shot of a traditional congratulatory flower wreath at the convention. The arrangement is densely packed with colorful blossoms, including bright pink, red, and yellow gerbera daisies, yellow lilies, and blue hydrangeas. Flanking the flowers are wide vertical ribbons; the prominent pink ribbon on the right features a large black Hanja character at the top with the letters "WCA" printed vertically below it. — A colorful celebratory floral arrangement welcoming delegates to the WCA closing events in South Korea. Picture: Phil Creighton

Afterwards, WCA president Jong Woo Chung symbolically handed the WCA flag to Professor Kevin Munro, who will be the president of the 2028 event, to be held from April 23-28 in the Scottish capital. It will again feature a mixture of teaching, lectures, seminars and training alongside a conference dinner and an exhibition.

“The team have been working hard,” he promised, adding that they will remove their jackets and roll up their sleeves for the work that is ahead of them.

Edinburgh, he added, “is a big international city, with very good communication links to airports and railways, with a wide range of accommodation and restaurants, and a lot of culture and a lot of entertainment.”

He added: “I said to the team if we get the WCA at Edinburgh, I will wear a kilt at the conference.

“We really look forward to seeing you in Edinburgh.”

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