The Annual Congress of the Portuguese Association of Otoneurology will be held this year on 15 and 16 June 2012 at the Hotel Melia Ria in Aveiro. As with previous years, our meeting is scheduled to last one and a half days – all day on Friday and Saturday morning.
We are delighted to have already confirmed the attendance of some of the world’s leading figures in otoneurology – Claus Claussen, Mans Magnusson and Raymond Boniver – who are sure to captivate the audience with their excellent presentations of a high scientific standard.
Equally important, and deserving of our appreciation, is the collaboration of our Portuguese colleagues, who, year after year, have contributed their expertise and accumulated experience to the enrichment of our knowledge and to the development of otoneurology in Portugal.
The topics we have chosen for this year’s meeting are very diverse. We have organised lectures on topics such as “Physical examinations and forensic medical assessment”, ”Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo – from principles to treatment“, ”Treatment of Meniere’s disease”, “Genetics and Otoneurology” “Endolymphatic sac surgery” and many others of equal interest and relevance. We will hold several open discussions, in the form of round-table sessions, on such interesting topics as “The present and future of supplementary otoneurological examinations”, “Sudden deafness” and ‘Vestibular rehabilitation’.
Our conferences have always served as a meeting point for the various professionals working in this field – ENT specialists, neurologists, audiologists and physiotherapists. We are an open and inclusive association, and we wish to continue to be a point of reference for all those interested in the subject, whether they are renowned academics or simply newcomers to the field. To this end, we must stand united in upholding the scientific quality of our meetings and, above all, in safeguarding our independence from lobbies or pressure groups.
But our conferences cannot be limited to a mere, impersonal exchange of knowledge. The atmosphere of warm friendship that always characterises these gatherings of professionals in the field is well known. We will have the opportunity to socialise and enjoy some well-deserved leisure time in the company of our colleagues.
Choosing Aveiro as the host city for this event was an easy decision, as it is in line with this Board’s stated aim to diversify the venues chosen to host our annual meeting as much as possible. As a city with a prime location on the central coast, combining countryside and beach, with excellent transport links and, moreover, a charming uniqueness, with its canals – a true “Venice of Portugal” – it seemed to us to be the right choice to provide the most suitable atmosphere for our gathering. Furthermore, this area is widely recognised for its magnificent cuisine. We are certain that it will be the ideal venue for this year’s meeting and that we will all leave feeling grateful for the choice and delighted with the welcome we have received.
We look forward to seeing you!
