The 30th EAACI Congress in Istanbul commenced on Saturday 11 June 2011 with over 7,900 registered participants from all over the world and a panel of 391 speakers. The congress opened with an Opening Ceremony during which EAACI President Prof. Jan Lotvall presented the EAACI Noon Award, one of the initiatives developed by the Academy to celebrate 100 years of Immunotherapy. The winner, Prof. Alfred William Frankland, is one of a long tradition of inventors of immunotherapy and has contributed significantly to the field.
The EAACI 2011 Medal Awards were also announced during the Opening Ceremony. The Clemens von Pirquet Award was awarded to Prof. Gabrielle Pauli, the Charles Blackley Award to Prof. Anthony Frew, the Daniel Bovet Award to Prof. Erika von Mutius, and the Paul Ehrlich Αward to Prof. Gianni Marone.
The evening continued with an oriental dance performance and the JMA Poster Session, during which submitted abstracts were discussed in 14 groups and the best per group was awarded as judged by a junior and senior chair. A Welcome Party also took place on the same evening on the terrace of the ICEC and ICC venues in the heart of Istanbul.
This year’s rich scientific programme included the following sessions:
| Meet the Expert | 26 |
| Postgraduate course | 10 |
| Plenary Session | 7 |
| Symposium | 39 |
| Workshop | 23 |
| Sposnored sessions (CSS and Satelite) | 12 |
| Sister Society Sessions | 11 |
| Oral Abstract Sessions | 36 |
| Late Breaking Oral Abstract Session | 5 |
| Poster Discussion Session | 12 |
| Thematic Poster Session | 74 |
| Late Breaking Thematic Poster Session | 11 |
| JMA Activities JMA Poster Session, JMA Scientific Symposium, JMA Educational Session, JMA Case Reports Session, JMA Business Meeting, JMA Social Event |
Sunday began with the first two scheduled Plenary Sessions and continued with several workshops, symposia, abstract sessions, and much more. The first JMA Mentorship Cocktail Party took place in the early evening to inaugurate the launch of the JMA Mentorship Programme, which aims at ensuring ongoing education for young scientists and enhancing JMA capacities as professionals. Over 30 JMAs met with their mentors and discussed ways to establish close collaboration.
During the General Assembly on Monday morning, EAACI members approved the Reports of the EAACI Board of Officers, including the official launch of the new EAACI online journal "Clinical and Translational Allergy," and production of the European Declaration on Allergen Immunotherapy. In addition, the newly elected boards of the EAACI Sections, Interest Groups, and Junior Members & Affiliates (JMAs), as well as the new Executive Committee, were ratified as the major administrative bodies of the Academy. The EAACI Presidency was handed over to Prof. Cezmi Akdis, who presented the new Presidential Programme for 2011-2013.
One of the highlights of the day was the Presidential Dinner, which was held in the Ciragan Palace. Built for sultans, this impressive location hosted all faculty members in a festive atmosphere.
On Tuesday, a wonderful boat trip on the Bosporus in the context of the JMA Social Event turned out to be a must as expressed by all the junior and senior registered participants.
EAACI Istanbul 2011 finished off with an early afternoon Closing Ceremony held on Wednesday 15 June, during which Awards associated with abstract presentations were announced and a short introduction to the forthcoming EAACI Geneva 2012 was given.
A series of EAACI Press Releases was also issued during this year's annual congress, focusing on "Prof. Cezmi Akdis is now the new President of EAACI," "EAACI presents the European Declaration on Allergen Immunotherapy," "Do "EpiPens" save lives?," "Bringing up baby: How best to avoid allergy," "How do you feel? The psychological impact of food allergy," "How the environment influences allergy before and after birth," "William Frankland wins Noon Award for a life dedicated to immunotherapy," "Olympic-level training causes asthma," "Exercise: a new tool in asthma management," "Turkey needs more specialists to cope with allergy in children."
The PhARF awards ceremony during EAACI Istanbul 2011 announced this year's awardees, Dr. Valerie Julia, Ph.D., Principal Scientist at INSERM, Valbonne, France (nominated by Dr. David Dombrowicz), and Dr. Susumu Nakae, Ph.D., Assoc. Prof. at The Institute of Medical Science, University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan (nominated by Prof. Stephen Galli and Prof. Hirohisa Saito).
Finally, www.eaaci.net had the chance to quickly interview the President of the EAACI Congress in Istanbul, Prof. Omer Kalayci, who gave us some feedback on his experience.