Prof. Johannes W.J. Bijlsma

Dear Colleagues,

The start of the next EULAR Annual European Congress of Rheumatology is fast approaching and is set to take place 13-16 June 2018 in Amsterdam. I invite you to read about the wide range of sessions, activities, and events available to you at this year’s congress in the EULAR Congress News Preview Edition.

At this 19th annual congress, we return to Amsterdam for the first time since the congress was held there in 2006. Amsterdam in 2018 will again provide an unique event for the exchange of scientific and clinical information This year, we are again expecting 14,000 participants patients, medical doctors, scientists, health professionals, and professionals representing the pharmaceutical industry, from more than 120 countries in Europe and around the world.

The EULAR Congress 2018 in Amsterdam will offer a wide range of topics including clinical innovations, clinical translational research, and basic science. Furthermore, there will be meetings organised by People with Arthritis and Rheumatism in Europe (PARE), Health Professionals in Rheumatology (HPR), and by the health care industry. We will also see further results from our initiatives, the EULAR School of Rheumatology, the ‘Don’t Delay, Connect Today’ campaign, and the launch of the EULAR Strategy 2018-2023.

EULAR congresses have received tremendous interest in terms of participation and quality of contributions, and this year is no different. We have received more than 5,050 abstract submissions, more than any other year. A total of 370 were accepted as oral presentations this year, and the congress features over 175 sessions and poster tours with more than 560 speakers. Out of the 2,256 poster displays spread over 3 days, 435 posters will be explained in 45 themed poster tours.

Amsterdam will provide an excellent background for scientific and clinical exchanges, international collaborations, and renewal of friendships. We will take great pleasure in welcoming medical doctors, patients, health professionals and representatives of the pharmaceutical industry to EULAR 2018, and hope that their stay in Amsterdam will be informative, educational and, last but not least, enjoyable.

Johannes W. J. Bijlsma
EULAR President