Welcome

On behalf of the European Society of Thoracic Surgery (ESTS) and the Local Organizing Committee we are pleased to welcome you to the 20th European Conference on General Thoracic Surgery in Essen, Germany from 10 -13 June 2012.

Essen is one of the most important business locations in the Federal Republic of Germany and is a center of decision-makers in German industry. Ten of the 100 companies with the highest sales in Germany have their headquarters in Essen. With roughly 600,000 inhabitants, the trade and services center of Essen is the eighth-largest city in Germany in the heart of North Rhine-Westphalia, the federal state with the strongest economy. With its history spanning 1,150 years, Essen can boast not only lovely areas and fascinating nooks and crannies, but also outstanding examples of urban culture. Winding towers and blast furnaces are things of the past- the skyline of the former coal and steel city is today dominated by office towers and glass facades. The imposing cityscape silhouette reflects Essen´s significance as the business center of the Ruhr Metropolitan Region, which is one of Europe´s largest conurbations alongside London and Paris. The departure from coal and steel was accompanied by the drive towards becoming one of the most diverse and densest cultural landscapes. What used to be boiler houses and machine halls became cultural hotspots and a comparable wealth of different theatres, musical performances, museums, design and architectural achievement can be found nowhere else in Europe. The intensity of this renaissance could be seen in the region´s appointment- spearheaded by Essen- to become the European Capital of Culture 2010.

The Folkwang Museum houses paintings, drawings and sculptures by most important modern artists from Romanticism to the present- as well as collection depicting the history of photography. Financed by Alfried Krupp von Bohlen and Halbach Foundation and designed by the famous architect David Chipperfield the new building was opened in 2010. The Unesco Heritage Site Zollverein is the most beautiful coal mine in the world. This landmark museum of natural and cultural history is reopened under the name Ruhr Museum in the former coal wash of the Zeche Zollverein. The permanent geological collection "terra cognita" focuses on the development of the earth, naturally devoting much attention to coal. A meteorite is on display alongside other objects as fossils, the reconstructed skeleton of a mammoth, and a fascinating diorama of a bog forest dating from the Carboniferous Age.

The cultural dynamism of Essen is well marketed in the cathedral church and its several art valuable treasure of worldwide significance, the old Synagogue displaying Jewish culture, the Aalto Opera House, the Philharmonic Concert Hall, the Grillo Theatre, the Villa Hügel with the collection of Flemish tapestries dating from 1500 to 1760, finally the Folkwang University of Music Theatre and Dance, Design and Academic studies. Large spectacular urban projects such as the ThyssenKrupp Quartier, the corporate headquarters of E.ON Ruhrgas or the University Quarter Essen are symbols of the region´s fitness to meet futures challenges. Essen presents itself as a captivating city that offers a host of unexpected discoveries, stimulating experiences, and lasting impressions.

Because of the advantageous central location, Essen can be easy reached from every European country within 3 hours. The International Rhine-Ruhr airport in Dusseldorf has connections to about 190 cities in Germany, Europe and other continents. With the airport express bus, taxis or the ICE express train you can get to Essen main railway station or to congress venue in 20 to 25 minutes. Essen main railway station is the starting point for more than 120 ICE, InterCity, EuroCity and InterRegio train connections for all destinations in Germany and other European countries.

The ESTS Conference will take place at the Congress Center Essen beside the landscaped Grugapark. The Congress venue offers all the facilities and is easily reached from the most hotels on foot or by the tram/subway (max 2-3 stations). The existing excellent cooperation between ESTS and medical industry in the area of Thoracic Surgery will continues in the forthcoming European Conference on General Thoracic Surgery in Essen and will increase one's knowledge and exchange of information for both sides. More companies as yet will present technological innovations, trends and products and ideas. The open dialogue between thoracic surgeons and industry must be the generator to identify new trends and to develop practicable solutions. Technological innovation, personal experience and handicraft knowledge have to be used for the good of our patients, to reduce perioperative risks and make surgery safe and effective. I extend our thanks for all those supporting an ever-growing enthusiastic international family of thoracic surgeons and partners.

This conference will continue the success of the preceding conferences in Krakow, Valladolid and Marseille. The groundbreaking scientific program will draw together many thoracic surgeons and specialists from Europe and all over the world. More than 1000 participants are expected to join this unique scientific event.

The 20th European Conference on General Thoracic Surgery will be a variety of exciting new futures in general thoracic surgery, starting on Sunday with the 4th Collaborative Symposium on General Thoracic Surgery organized by ESTS-AATS-STS-JACS and ASCVTS. This year a new interactive concept will be presented, traced out by David Waller, with 3 teams competing for the winning presentations on 8 clinical case scenarios. For these exciting topics, the participation with interactive voting by the audience is intended. In the afternoon the Database and Quality team accumulated expertise and collaborative spirit in setting up the registry for the success of this important project, will present the 2012 Annual Report.

The 20th European Conference on General Thoracic Surgery will provide a wonderful forum for you to meet and interact with leading scientists and physicians of thoracic oncology and to refresh your knowledge base and explore the most up-to-date information regarding the science and advances in the diagnosis and operative treatment of benign and malignant thoracic diseases.

More than 581 abstract are submitted, a new record for an ESTS meeting. The scientific programme committee has selected in all categories the most interesting abstracts with the highest quality. Presentations from leading experts, breakfast seminars, Oral and Poster Abstract Presentations, Videos and Motion Picture presentations, working group sessions in the field of thoracic oncology as well as Industry and Non- Industry Supported symposia will provide delegates with information on the latest developments in basic science and surgical treatment. Invited and Extraordinary Guest lectures as well as the Presidential Address are expected to be highlights of the Conference.

A special Young Investigator's Session and Hands-on Training Sessions will be held on 11 June, covering an array of special topics of great interest to young investigators and are specifically designed for those in the early stages of their career. The Techno Meeting on 12 June will address novel therapies and innovative topics providing insights into new technologies that can impact general thoracic surgery practice.
In addition to an outstanding Scientific Program, delegates will be able to enjoy unique sights and culture of Essen and the Ruhr Area. Delegates can visit world renowned art galleries and historic sites, take a tour in industrial culture, and discover the city at your own pace. There is something for everyone to enjoy by taking a train to neighboring cities and villages. For the official social events, as the Opening Ceremony and Reception, German Evening and Gala Dinner the LOC has organized a variable program with classical music, live walking jazz music, artists and pantomimes.

Finally for sporting and non-sporting thoracic surgeons a "wake up run" is organized by my secretary Ingrid Wirscheim on Sunday morning. Inside the beautiful green oasis, the Grugapark, 3 km are to master with good mood, high spirit and some surprises. Let's go!

We hope you will join us for a symphony of an outstanding Conference, and take a little extra time to enjoy the unique beauty of Essen and Ruhr Area and its surroundings.

We look forward to welcoming you to Essen

Georgios Stamatis
Chairman LOC