Congratulations and Thank You to the Local Organising Committee

The EBMT 2009 Congress which took place at the end of March was an important milestone for the EBMT. Not only did it represent the 35th Annual Meeting of the Group, it also marked the 25th Meeting of the EBMT Nurses Group, the 8th Meeting of the Data Management Group, the 3rd Patient & Family Day, and for the very first time the congress hosted a dedicated Quality Management Meeting. This year’s congress united 3753 professionals from 73 countries at the Göteborg Convention Centre, Svenska Mässen in the maritime city of Göteborg, Sweden to learn, to share and to collaborate with ideas and knowledge.

The bespoke programme of Workshops, Educational, Plenary, Woking Party, Oral, Post and Joint Sessions were avidly attended by 2459 physicians, 543 nurses, 104 Data Managers and 48 Quality Managers. Our appreciation goes to the Local and National Scientific Committee, the Nurses Group Board and Data Management Group for producing such an informative, interactive, cutting-edge and well-balanced Scientific Programme which included the re-introduction of the Controversy debate sessions and paid particular attention to paediatric perspectives in SCT, as well as the pathophysiology and clinical care of chronic GvHD. The invited speakers are also congratulated on the high-quality delivery of their presentations.

The success of the EBMT annual meeting is the climax of the tireless efforts in the collection of data, the management of studies, clinical trials and accreditation activities and is an acknowledgement of the hard work of the EBMT Staff, as well as the countless hours that the EBMT Working Party and Committee members contribute on a voluntary basis to progressing the activities of the EBMT.

This year’s exhibition included 41 industry partners and 9 non-profit organisations who displayed their products, services and contributions to the field of HSCT, constituting a popular attraction for delegates who availed of the opportunity to visit their stands in-between sessions. The Corporate Satellite Symposia programme was also very well received and attended, offering a complimentary programme to the main Scientific Sessions.

The 3rd Patient and Family Day, now a fixed event on the EBMT calendar, was hosted the day before the start of the EBMT Congress and triumphed in gathering over 300 Swedish and international participants. The Day served as a platform for discussion, networking and advice for patients, their families and caregivers. This year’s interactive programme discussed a number of sensitive subjects such as the consequences of a cancer diagnosis for the patient’s body image, and the problem of genital chronic GvHD. The post-event brought national patient groups into contact with each other with the objective of forging new collaborative initiatives and alliances, all of benefit to the patient.

An unforgettable social programme; the Swedish organisers certainly provided a treat for delegates with its combination of exquisite Nordic cuisine and wonderful musical entertainment. The social programme opened with a Welcome Reception hosted by the City of Göteborg and Västra Götaland region, offering guests a typical Swedish West Coast buffet. Other highlights included a first-class concert by the Hvila String Quartet in the Stenhammer Hall and the EBMT Gala Dinner at Kasjkjul where diners were entertained by the musical talents of the Amanda Ensemble, making for an unforgettable evening.

A year in the making and the culmination of countless planning, attention to detail, expert savoir-faire and diplomacy, the EBMT 2009 congress in Göteborg Sweden was another record-breaker in many respects. The EBMT Board would like to extend a sincere thank you to the Local Organising Committee. Congratulations and gratitude to Mats Brune (Congress President); Per Ljungman (Scientific Chair); Dick Stockelberg (Chair of Local Organising Committee); Elisabeth Wallhult (Local Nurse); C. Kristiansson (Data Manager) for their wonderful hospitality and unshakeable support in making the congress run without so much as a hitch.

Thanks also go of course to Congrex for their tireless work behind the scenes and their professional approach throughout.