XVIII Colombian Nephrology Congress 2026 (Barranquilla): Executive Transport for Medical Specialists

Key event data (official Asocolnef information):

- Dates: May 15, 16 and 17, 2026 (Friday to Sunday)
- Venue: Marriott Barranquilla and Ibis Barranquilla hotels
- City: Barranquilla, Atlántico, Colombia
- Organizer: Colombian Association of Nephrology and Arterial Hypertension (Asocolnef)
- Official website: asocolnef.com/congreso-colombiano-de-nefrologia-2026/

Registration fees:
- Nephrologists, cardiologists, endocrinologists, diabetologists, intensivists: USD 95 / COP 350,000
- Internists: USD 85 / COP 300,000
- Nursing, general medicine, students: USD 50 / COP 200,000

Target audience:
- Clinical nephrologists and pediatric nephrologists from Colombia and Latin America
- Internists with interest in renal pathology
- Cardiologists, endocrinologists, and intensivists
- Dialysis and renal transplant nursing professionals
- Internal medicine, nephrology, and related residency students
- Pre-graduate medical and nursing students
- Pharmaceutical and medical technology industry (commercial booths)

Format: three-day intensive academic program with keynote lectures, satellite symposia, hands-on workshops, oral and poster communications, plus social activities and specialist networking.

Main venue — Marriott Barranquilla Hotel
Address: Calle 87 #43-89, El Country neighborhood
Nearby landmarks: Plaza Buenavista, Metropolitano Roberto Meléndez Stadium (10 min away)
Available rooms: Marriott Convention Center with capacity for 800+ attendees in plenary

Secondary venue — Ibis Barranquilla Hotel
Address: Calle 76 #41-21, Alto Prado neighborhood
Nearby landmarks: Buenavista I Shopping Center, Universidad del Norte (8 min away)
Typical use: pre-congress courses, small workshops, accommodation for budget-conscious attendees

Distance between venues: 1.8 km — approximately 10 minutes by vehicle depending on Barranquilla traffic.

Our dedicated service during the congress includes a coordinated shuttle Ibis ⇄ Marriott aligned with the academic program, particularly useful for attendees staying at Ibis who must attend plenary sessions at Marriott and vice versa.

Parking: both venues have on-site parking. However, during the peak days of the congress (Saturday, May 16), parking at Marriott fills quickly; we recommend chauffeured service that drops you off at the entrance and picks you up later, eliminating parking wait times.

Ernesto Cortissoz Airport (IATA code: BAQ) is located in Soledad, approximately 13 km from the El Country sector where the Marriott Hotel is located. Typical transfer times:

- BAQ → Marriott Barranquilla: 25-35 min via Vía 40 and Calle 76
- BAQ → Ibis Barranquilla: 25-30 min via Vía 40
- BAQ → Downtown Barranquilla: 20-25 min
- BAQ → Puerto Colombia / Universidad del Norte: 30-40 min

For the medical specialist group, we coordinate:

Airport reception with personalized sign:
- Uniformed chauffeur waiting at international/domestic arrivals
- Sign with the physician's or delegation's name
- Wait time included for delayed flights (up to 60 minutes at no charge)
- Luggage assistance to the vehicle (one assistant for groups of 3+)

Vehicles by delegation size:
- Executive sedan (Toyota Camry, Chevrolet Malibu): 1-2 nephrologists with luggage
- SUV (Toyota Fortuner): 2-3 physicians with luggage
- Toyota Hiace van (8-12 passengers): hospital delegation or resident cohort
- Executive bus (20-35 passengers): large groups from airport to hotel consolidated

Invoicing: DIAN electronic invoice, official FUEC, option to bill the physician's hospital or academic institution (including IPS, EPS, and universities).

Congress venue hotels (primary accommodation):
- Marriott Barranquilla Hotel (Calle 87 #43-89) — plenary venue, no need for transport to attend sessions
- Ibis Barranquilla Hotel (Calle 76 #41-21) — secondary venue, mid-range budget

Nearby premium alternatives (5-10 min by vehicle):
- Hotel Estelar Alto Prado Barranquilla — 5 stars, restaurant and business center
- Hotel Country International — city classic, halls for academic meetings
- Hotel Atlantic Lux Barranquilla — modern tower, ideal for pharmaceutical executives

Mid-range alternatives (8-15 min by vehicle):
- Hotel Ibis Styles Barranquilla — modern Ibis variant
- Hotel Howard Johnson Versalles Barranquilla — central, good value
- Hotel Holiday Inn Express Barranquilla

Logistics recommendation: if you're attending the congress solo, staying at Marriott or Ibis is most efficient (zero transfer to venue). If traveling with family or a companion exploring Barranquilla (Carnival House, Puerto Colombia, Bocas de Ceniza, Cumbia House gastronomy), a premium hotel like Estelar Alto Prado with dedicated hourly transport service allows parallel academic and tourism agendas.

The XVIII Colombian Nephrology Congress program includes scientific breakfasts at 7:00 AM, morning plenaries, working lunches with the pharmaceutical industry, afternoon sessions, and gala dinners at the end of the day. For a nephrologist or internist attendee, hourly service is the most efficient option.

Example of a typical congress day:
- 6:30 AM — Hotel pickup (if not the venue)
- 7:00 AM — Sponsored scientific breakfast at Marriott
- 8:00 AM - 12:30 PM — Plenaries and symposia
- 12:30 PM — Sponsored working lunch at nearby restaurant
- 2:00 PM - 6:00 PM — Workshops and poster sessions
- 7:00 PM — Networking or institutional dinner
- 10:00 PM — Return to hotel

One chauffeur all day, one fixed rate. Far more efficient than coordinating Uber/taxi separately for each transfer (10+ transfers per day in a typical corporate medical schedule).

For international keynote speakers with tight schedules (arrive May 14, conference May 16, depart May 17), hourly service guarantees absolute punctuality and privacy to review their presentation in transit.

Billing to hospital, IPS, university, or sponsoring academic entity: we issue DIAN electronic invoices in the institution's name, with breakdown by service and date. The official FUEC complies with Decree 1079 of 2015 on special passenger transport in Colombia.

The congress attracts invited keynote speakers from Mexico, Argentina, Brazil, the United States, and Europe who require differentiated logistics due to agenda sensitivity and academic protocol.

Dedicated service for international keynote speakers:

Arrival in Barranquilla:
- Coordination with Asocolnef scientific coordinator to confirm exact flight
- Reception at BAQ airport with personalized sign and bilingual chauffeur (Spanish-English)
- Direct transfer to the Marriott or organization-assigned hotel
- Luggage assistance and expedited check-in if the organization coordinates in advance

During the congress:
- Dedicated chauffeur 12 hours/day during presentation days
- Waiting before plenary with climate-controlled vehicle (Barranquilla 32°C daytime)
- Coordination with scientific coordinator for movements to medical press interviews, satellite symposia, and bilateral industry meetings
- Discreet unbranded vehicle, uniformed chauffeur, mineral water, and Wi-Fi available

Complementary activities:
- Visit to Carnival House, Bocas de Ceniza, or Puerto Colombia for free afternoon
- Dinners at recommended restaurants (Cumbia House, La Cueva, Buenavista Restaurant)
- Atlántico gastronomic tour for companions

Return:
- Hotel pickup with sufficient margin for Barranquilla traffic
- Transfer to BAQ airport with check-in support if airline permits
- Post-event service report for Asocolnef scientific coordinator