One for all and all for one: on the role of a conference in a scientist's life

Abstract: The quantitative description of the scientific conference MECO (Middle European Cooperation in Statistical Physics) based on bibliographic records is presented in the paper. Statistics of contributions and participants, co-authorship patterns at the levels of authors and countries, typical proportions of newcomers and permanent participants as well as other characteristics of the scientific event are discussed. The results of this case study contribute to better understanding of the ways of formalization and assessment of conferences and their role in individual academic careers. To highlight the latter, the change of perspective is used: in addition to the general analysis of the conference data, an ego-centric approach is used to emphasize the role of a particular participant for the conference and, vice versa, the role of MECO in the researcher's professional life. This paper is part of the special CMP issue dedicated to the anniversary of Bertrand Berche - a well-known physicist, an active member of the community of authors and editors of the journal, long time collaborator and dear friend of the author.