Dear VEIN Readers,

We are now only six months until the start of the XVII UIP World Congress, hosted by the American College of Phlebology (ACP) September 8–13, 2013, at the Hynes Convention Center in historic Boston, MA. As Congress President and Chairman of the Organizing Committee, and on behalf of Mel Rosenblatt, President of the ACP, the ACP Board of Directors, the International Union of Phlebology (UIP) Executive Com mittee, Mark Meissner, MD, Scientific Chair for the World Congress, the Scientific Committee, Bruce Sanders, E xecutive Director of the ACP, Dana DePonzi, Director of Meetings at ACP, the entire ACP volunteer organization and professional staff, we would like to take this oppor tunity to invite you attend the most important phlebological meeting of the decade.

Our goal i n planning the Con gress ha s been to present the most extensive and comprehensive scientific program ever convened by the UIP. The program will appeal to all with interest in the diagnosis and management of venous and lymphatic disease and will include more than 230 international experts addressing the full spectrum of topics in phlebology. The most current scientific information will be presented in a variety of formats including topical didactic sessions, dail y “Ask the Ex per ts” sessions where there will be ample opportunity for direct interaction with faculty, controversial debates between international luminaries, and daily keynote presentations. The thrice-daily free paper and daily poster sessions, including the latest scientific work of our members and guests, is anticipated to be a highlight of the meeting. Hands-on training in sk ills ranging from sclerotherapy and compression to IVC filter insertion and iliac vein ste nting will also be available. Other highlights include dedicated programs for nurses, advanced practitioners, and sonographers; industry-sponsored symposia; and concurrent national society symposia.

The Congress will include a number of firsts for the UIP including simultaneous Spanish translation of all plenary sessions.

Translators will also be available to assist non-English-speaking guests in navigating Boston and the Hynes Convention Center. The hands-on sessions will include advanced si mulators covering a var iety of fluoroscopically guided techniques.

We invite all members and g uests of the UIP to submit their work for presentation. Both oral and poster prese ntations will be judged throughou t the week, wit h the highest scoring pr esentations el igible for cash prizes. The top poster presentations will also be given an opportunity to present during a plenary session on Friday, September 13, 2013. Submission instructions are available on the meeting website. The deadline for abstract submissions is April 15, 2013.

Boston is amon g the most historic, scenic, and pedestrian-friendly cities in the United States. The week will be an excellent opportunity to reunite with colleagues from around the world. You will not want to miss the opening reception on Monday evening, September 9, and the spectacular gala dinner on Thursday evening, September 12. A complete social program will take full advantage of the ma ny opportunities Boston has to offer duri ng the colorful New England autumn. After consulting with our industry supporters in Monaco, the program committee has planned a free afternoon for Wednesday September 11.

A preliminary program will be available once all invited speakers have accepted. Registration is available on the meeting website at www.uip2013.org.

On behalf of the American College of Phlebology, we extend a warm welcome and look for ward to seeing you, y our fam ily, and your friends in Boston in September at the
XVII UIP World Congress.

Respectfully,
Nick Morrison, MD
Mark Meissner, MD