RAPS Euro Convergence in Lisbon: a taste of MedTech, collaboration and good coffee

In May, my colleague Alex Le Baut and I, Josh Gambín, were at the RAPS Euro Convergence 2026 in Lisbon, representing AbroadLink Translations. And I say we were there with genuine pleasure, because we came back feeling that we had taken part in one of those events that not only meets expectations, but leaves you with plenty to talk about for weeks afterwards.

The 2026 edition took place from 5 to 8 May at the Lisbon Congress Centre, featuring a programme focused on medical devices, IVDs, pharmaceuticals, combination products and digital health. The official programme for Euro Convergence 2026 also included sessions, workshops and networking opportunities addressing some of the most pressing topics facing regulatory affairs teams.

This blog does not aim to provide a detailed blow-by-blow account of the event. It is more of a personal reflection based on our experience at the stand, the conversations we had and what we observed as a team that works very closely with regulatory, technical and multilingual documentation.

RAPS Euro Convergence from our stand: first impressions

First of all, I would like to say thank you. Thank you to the RAPS team for putting together such a well-executed event that was carefully planned, highly relevant and, above all, truly useful for those of us working in regulatory affairs. In particular, I would like to mention Brian Osika, to whom we are particularly grateful for his attentiveness and warmth.

In our view, RAPS Euro Convergence is gaining significant weight within the European regulatory affairs community. This is reflected in the profile of attendees, in the quality of the conversations and in how easily a coffee break can turn into a serious discussion about MDR, IVDR, artificial intelligence, document traceability or technical documentation.

And to be honest, although the event is aimed at both medical devices and pharma, our impression was that the overall attendance and atmosphere leaned more towards MedTech. This is not meant as a criticism, but as a positive observation. In fact, for us it felt almost like a MedTech conference in the best sense: practical, specialised and closely connected to the real challenges faced by manufacturers, consultants, technology providers and RA/QA teams.

A regulatory affairs event with a MedTech spirit

One of the great strengths of RAPS Euro Convergence is that it goes beyond theory. The official sessions covered regulatory transformation, MDR, IVDR, EUDAMED, artificial intelligence and digital health, all topics that directly impact the day-to-day work of regulatory teams.

For those of us working in medical device translation, this is particularly relevant. Translation does not sit outside the regulatory process. It is part of it. It affects instructions for use, labelling, technical documentation, software, communication with notified bodies and, in many cases, a product’s actual access to a market.

Lisbon, the CCL and an organisation that paid close attention to detail

The setting contributed significantly. There is something special about the Lisbon Congress Centre. It is not just a spacious and functional venue, although it certainly is that as well. It is the location, the light, the views over the bay and that bridge that inevitably brings San Francisco to mind.

I imagine some of our American friends felt almost at home when they looked out towards the bridge. We certainly appreciated that the event was as well organised on the inside as it was well located on the outside. Some conferences are remembered for the sessions. Others, for the people. This one had a bit of everything, and Lisbon provided the perfect setting.

The only downside, if it can be called that, was the food. It was far too good. I arrived with the reasonable goal of losing some weight on the trip, and came back with the certainty that Lisbon, RAPS and Portuguese desserts had conspired against me. It is not a very serious complaint, I admit, but it is a genuine one.

Encounters that may lead to collaboration: CertHub

One of the best things about having a stand is that you never quite know who will appear in front of you. This year, our neighbours were CertHub, a company that immediately caught our attention because of its software-driven approach to MedTech compliance, technical documentation, eQMS and automation.

CertHub was founded by Leo Kobinger, and here the story takes a slightly unexpected turn that I particularly like. Leo had already stopped by our stand at MEDICA 2024. I did not get to meet him at the time, but he did speak with my colleague Alejandra Keller, so you could say it was a conversation waiting to happen.

That is why it was a nice coincidence that, at Euro Convergence RAPS, we ended up as neighbours right across from each other. Or maybe it was more than just a coincidence. In any case, it gave us the opportunity to pick up that pending conversation and start laying the groundwork for a potential future collaboration between CertHub and AbroadLink. We are excited by the idea because it connects two worlds that should increasingly be talking to each other: regulatory platforms and specialised translation.

The vision would be to integrate certified translation directly within the platform itself, which is the basis of our new “Certified Translation as a Feature” service, in other words, certified translation as a built-in function within the software. This would allow us to maintain control and traceability of translations within the same environment where the documentation is managed. For MedTech manufacturers, this kind of integration can be particularly valuable: less fragmentation, reduced risk and greater visibility over what has been translated, when, by whom and for which market. It also aligns very well with our experience in software localisation, especially when software is part of the regulatory ecosystem.

Merchandise, Veeva and the joy of reconnecting

Our merchandise went down well again. And yes, I say that with pride. The mirror brushes were, once again, quite a hit. It might seem a bit silly at times, but these small details help break the ice. People come over, smile, ask questions, take one for a member of the team and, before you know it, you are talking about labels, IFUs, review workflows or mandatory languages.

We also missed our neighbours from the previous Euro Convergence edition in Brussels: Veeva Systems. We have very fond memories of them and we would have loved to cross paths again as stand neighbours.

Fortunately, Vedrana Augustinovic was able to visit us and remind us of her kindness and warmth. She also took a few mirror brushes with her, which I believe she kindly shared with her colleagues on the stand. I am not sure whether our brushes have reached collector’s-item status yet, but we are definitely getting there.

Translation, regulation and trust: why we were there

For AbroadLink, being at RAPS Euro Convergence makes a great deal of sense. We do not go there just to “sell translations”. We go to understand the concerns of regulatory teams, what types of documentation are becoming more complex and how processes are changing as AI, EUDAMED, MDR, IVDR or digital medical devices come into play.

It is also the kind of conversation that reminds us why, as a translation agency, it is not enough simply to translate words: you need to understand processes, risks and responsibilities. In regulated sectors, a translation is not a final file that gets delivered and forgotten about. It is part of a chain of decisions.

That is why we follow official sources closely, such as Regulation (EU) 2017/745 on medical devices, Regulation (EU) 2017/746 on in vitro diagnostic medical devices, the European Commission’s information on EUDAMED and the Artificial Intelligence Act. Not because we want to become regulatory consultants, but because good translation requires an understanding of the context.

Coffee, desserts and a not entirely objective recommendation

I cannot finish without a recommendation for those who cannot resist good Brazilian coffee and desserts that will not only leave you with a pleasant taste in your mouth but also a few extra kilos on the scales. Near the conference centre, we discovered Torra Roasting and Coffee, and I think it deserves a mention.

It may not be the most scientific recommendation in this blog, but it is undoubtedly one of the most genuine. Some events are best enjoyed with good coffee. And when you are also in Lisbon, about to start an intense day of conversations about medical devices, compliance and translation, a good coffee becomes part of the experience.

What we took away from RAPS Euro Convergence

I came away with a very positive impression of RAPS Euro Convergence. The organisation was up to the mark, the setting was magnificent and the quality of the conversations was exceptionally high. In some ways, it felt like a repeat of the experience we had a year earlier in Brussels. I also came away with confirmation that the regulatory affairs community in Europe needs events like this: welcoming, specialised and firmly connected to the realities of the industry.

At AbroadLink, we have come back with fresh ideas, valuable contacts and a strong desire to continue building collaborations. We have come back feeling grateful to RAPS, to Brian Osika, to everyone who stopped by our stand, to CertHub for the prospect of future collaboration and to all those who helped make the event feel so vibrant.

And, of course, we have come back with one very clear conclusion: RAPS Euro Convergence is more than simply an event to attend. It is a place where things happen. Some take months of preparation. Others begin with a casual conversation between stands. And others, like the best coffees in Lisbon, simply leave you wanting to come back for more.