The aim of the research is to determine the diversity of activities in congresses held in different scientific disciplines, to reveal the factors that affect the efficiency of congresses according to academicians, and the meaning attributed to congresses. Case design was used in the research. The data were collected by examining the programs of congresses in different disciplines in the USA, Germany, France, Spain, England, and Turkey, which are the top 5 countries in the ICCA (2019) report according to the number of congresses, and through an open-ended interview form developed within the scope of structured interview technique. The study group consists of 57 participants from the education faculties of 28 different universities using the snowball technique and criterion-based sampling technique. The following events stand out in the congresses: parallel paper sessions, posters, workshops, panels, invited speakers, thematic meetings, research trainings, special sessions conducted with subgroups such as graduate students, teachers, managers and supervisors, field trips, meeting with authorities at the same table at meals. These include live access portals, interactive posters, and interactive discussion platforms in online congresses. A significant portion of the participants preferred face-to-face congresses to online congresses. The quality of the papers, the expertise of the invited speakers, bringing together related disciplines in a thematic field, and the opportunity to turn the papers into publications in qualified journals came to the fore as the factors affecting the efficiency of the congresses. In addition to being places that contribute to professional development, socialization, and professional relations, congresses are interpreted as practices that go beyond their purpose today.