What is new for DDW 2026? | October 2025-2025 Oct 23

Video Transcription

Video Summary

Leaders from the four Digestive Disease Week (DDW) societies outlined upcoming program changes aimed at making DDW more attendee-centric and easier to navigate. The main shift is moving from society-based abstract submission and programming to a unified, content-first structure. Starting with the next cycle, abstract categories are consolidated into 14 tracks (down from 38 categories and 443 subcategories), with descriptors unified across societies (e.g., one set for Barrett’s). Multisociety expert committees will review abstracts and increasingly coordinate invited sessions to reduce duplication and improve session quality. A phased transition over about three years will retain some society identity (e.g., presidential plenaries) while unifying most programming. Society updates included continued AASLD ultrasound workshops and emerging topics; AGA’s key sessions, zones, awards, and enhanced basic/translational abstract handling; ASGE hands-on courses, new poster “hubs,” and revised award application process; and SSAT guidance for surgeons to flag surgical abstracts for appropriate review and trainee awards. Abstract submission is now open.

Keywords

Digestive Disease Week (DDW) program changes

unified content-first abstract submission

14 consolidated abstract tracks

multisociety expert abstract review committees

coordinated invited sessions to reduce duplication

AASLD AGA ASGE SSAT society updates