Over the years, the EUMETSAT user conference has become a key annual event for the meteorological and scientific communities where participants from around the world can meet to share their experience and knowledge during plenary, poster and workshop sessions.

The main theme of the conference will be “40th Anniversary of EUMETSAT – Advancing Earth System Satellites for Europe and Beyond”.

The year 2026 marks the 40th anniversary of the European Organisation for the Exploitation of Meteorological Satellites (EUMETSAT), established in 1986 to deliver operational satellite data for weather, climate, and environmental monitoring. Over the past four decades, EUMETSAT has grown into a key pillar of the global operational Earth observation system, operating an advanced fleet of polar-orbiting and geostationary satellites, having a prominent role to today’s global weather and air-quality forecasting and contributing actively to international partnerships.

Venue

The venue for our conference is the Darmstadtium Congress Centre, offering modern conference facilities and generous exhibition and foyer spaces. Built upon a historical fortification from the 14th century, it merges the modern with ancient history and is located in the heart of Darmstadt.

Darmstadt is a vibrant city in the state of Hesse, Germany. Known as the "City of Science" (Wissenschaftsstadt), it hosts numerous scientific institutions, universities, and high-tech companies.

The city also boasts a rich cultural heritage, especially through the Mathildenhöhe, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and former artists' colony that played a key role in the Jugendstil (Art Nouveau) movement. Darmstadt combines historic charm with modern innovation, making it a unique destination for both research and culture. Our networking events will take place at the Darmstadtium and at the Central Station, an event and concert location central to Darmstadt’s tradition.