For the next two years I have the honour and privilege to serve our distinguished society as president, a task that I will try to fulfil with all of my heart and energy. Having been a member myself since 1997 and ELS treasurer from 2008-2016 I have been able to watch and accompany our societies growth from a small club of enthusiast to a scientific authority, which has become visible and acknowledged well beyond Europe. Our biannual conference has seen an ever-increasing number, both of participants and of papers presented, with a peak of almost 600 registrations from over 50 countries at the recent congress in London.
This development has been made possible by the many laryngologists who have gotten involved in all the various aspects of building our society, many of which have also served as members on our scientific or presidential council. On behalf of the society I express my gratitude to all these contributors.
Although the ELS is on the right path there is definitively a need to keep moving on in this direction. We will keep on professionalizing our society, and our general secretary, Elisabeth Sjögren, and our new association management and long term PCO partner Guarant will certainly be of great help. We will keep you updated by newsletters and on our website, so make sure to check back frequently.
Finally, I cordially invite you to our 2021 conference in Berlin, Germany. Please spread the word among your colleagues and motivate them not only to attend the next congress, but also to become a member of the ELS.
Cordially yours
Prof. Christian Sittel
President of the European Laryngological Society
3rd July, 2020