You will be aware that for unprecedented reasons ESCP had to move its annual Conference from Istanbul, Turkey to Milan, Italy at short notice earlier this year. To achieve this move, ESCP has been very reliant on the generosity and co-operation of our friends and colleagues in Milan and to our sponsors.
Nonetheless, the unscheduled move of the conference has left ESCP with a number of challenges in its aim to produce a high level internationally respected conference and some difficult decisions are still being made.
It is with great regret that we have to announce the cancellation of the proposed pre-congress Laparoscopic Skills course at the ESCP Annual Conference in Milan. The Executive considered this decision very carefully and it was difficult to make. We recognise that many colleagues in Italy, industry and ESCP committees have already invested a lot of time and energy in to the organisation of this event. We would like to thank them and make it very clear that this decision is in no way a reflection of concern towards those who have been involved in the organisation of the course to date.
The Laparoscopic Skills course is still very much in its infancy being a new addition to the Congress timetable in Dublin last year. Whilst this first course met with some success, there was an understandable desire to improve on the content of the course for 2016. Over the last few weeks it has become clear that with the late re-location of the Annual Meeting to Milan ESCP is facing unexpected logistical problems. ESCP now feels we do not have the ideal circumstances to deliver the standard of course one would expect.
There is no doubt that a lot of valuable experience and contacts have been gained from the organisational process to date. It is ESCP’s aspiration to build on this years’ experience in order to offer a high quality laparoscopic skills course next year. We very much hope that all those who have been involved this year wish to remain involved for next year.
ESCP is grateful for the ongoing generosity and support of our sponsors, members and local colleagues and thank you all for your understanding in this matter.
Yours sincerely,
Stefan Post, ESCP President
Eloy Espin Basany, ESCP Secretary
Klaus Matzel, ESCP Education Chair
Anna Martling, ESCP Programme Chair