Five years ago, Dr. Nick Morrison and the American College of Phlebology (ACP) had a vision of bringing the International Union of Phlebology (UIP) Meeting to the United States. Through the tireless work of Dr. Morrison, the scientific and planning committees, the ACP, and with the support of the UIP, the international meeting came to Boston this last September for the first time in the 50-year history of the UIP.

Hosted by the American College of Phlebology with more than 2300 attendees, faculty and exhibitors from all over the world, the XVII International Union of Phlebology (UIP) World Meeting (September 8–13, 2013; Boston, MA) was the largest and most comprehensive international meeting dedicated to the diagnosis and treatment of venous disease ever sponsored by the UIP. The five-day meeting included more than 600 sessions covering the breadth of vein care, more than 30 international societies and 99 vein-care focused exhibitors, showcasing the latest technology and products in the treatment of venous and lymphatic disease.

“The XVII UIP World Meeting exceeded all expectations,” stated UIP World Meeting Chairman and UIP President- Elect Dr. Nick Morrison. “From the scientific program and workshops to international and industry participation, this is the most extensive vein care meeting I have had an opportunity to not only plan, but attend.”

The Work Started Five Years Ago

As everyone else was preparing to attend the 2009 UIP World Meeting in Monaco, Dr. Morrison and the ACP were preparing their bid to host the next meeting in 2013.

“The UIP World Meeting had never been held in the US before, and we knew it was time to show the rest of the world just what our membership already knew: Vein care in the US had made important strides and was on par with any other association in the international community,” said ACP Executive Director Bruce Sanders.

Nearly six months of preparation went into the bid process alone, and once the bid was won, the real work of planning the meeting began, including site visits as well as scheduling and assembling the Scientific Program Committee.

“With help from my colleague, Dr. Mark Meissner, we were able to put together a Scientific Program Committee which compiled the most extensive program ever presented at a UIP meeting,” said Dr. Morrison.

The Scientific Program Covers…Everything

By bringing together experts from various specialties and the major American associations dedicated to venous disorders, the scientific committee developed a program that would cover the wide breadth and depth of venous and lymphatic disease in a format that would appeal to all learning styles. Didactic lectures, difficult case presentations, “Ask the Experts” Q&A sessions, digital abstract presentations, panel discussions, debates, and more hands-on simulation workshops than in any previous meeting, combined with association presentations from more than 30 international and specialty associations, ensured that attendees engaged with the most up-to-date techniques and treatments each day.

Oral Abstract Winners

In addition to lectures and workshops, oral abstracts were presented every day and provided the latest research in venous and lymphatic disease. The following are the winners from the more than 200 presented:

• Niels Baekgaard, MD, of Gentofte University Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark—“Iliac venous stenting in patients with iliofemoral DVT treated with catheter-directed thrombolysis”
• Thomas Proebstle, MD, MSc University of Mainz, Mannheim, Germany—“One year follow up of the the European multicenter study on cyanoacrylate embolization of incompetent great saphenous veins”
• Eva Sevick, PhD, University of Texas Health Science Center, Austin, TX—“Real Time Visualization of Lymphatic Dysfunction in Venous Ulcer Patients: The Effect of Pneumatic Compression, Results of a Pilot Study with IC Green”

It Wasn’t All Business

While the scientific program was the focus during the day, evenings at the UIP World Meeting were reserved for relaxing with colleagues and making new friends at the various special events. From networking mixers and special events like the Gala Dinner, ACPF Casino Night and Silent Auction (see inset) to tours of Massachusetts General Hospital and a reception at the JFK Library, attendees were able to choose from a number of entertaining nighttime activities. UIP Elects a New President On Tuesday during the UIP Council Meeting, which is comprised of representatives from the various member societies, the UIP elected new officers. Most notable for the US, Dr. Nick Morrison was elected the next president of the UIP and will begin his term in two years. “This is a great honor for me personally, but also a testament to work of the phlebology community in the US,” noted Dr. Morrison.

The UIP Goes Down Under in 2017

Also selected at the meeting was the location for the next UIP World Meeting in 2017. The Australasian College of Phlebology won the bid and will host in Sydney, Australia in four years’ time.

Dr. Morrison and the American College of Phlebology set expectations high for themselves and the XVII UIP World Meeting. By exceeding attendance records, raising scientific and educational standards, and providing an environment for colleagues from around the world to share their expertise, the XVII UIP World Meeting set the standard for all other meetings to come.