Edinburgh, 2006
Edinburgh is the place to be in June, 2006 for a truly memorable travel medicine event. Ten travel medicine societies (yes, ten)
are partnering to present a first class scientific program in the state-of-the art, award-winning conference centre located in the heart
of beautiful and historic Edinburgh, Scotland, June 7-10. So check your calendar and block out the time in your appointment book
(and include time for a few extra days to see Scotland!), inform your associates that you will be away (before they make their plans), and
get in touch with your favorite travel agent or airline today.
Edinburgh's Northern European Conference in Travel Medicine is being organized by the International Society of Travel Medicine and the British Travel Health Association, Danish Society of Travel Medicine, Finnish Society for International Health, Health Protection Scotland, Irish Society of Travel Medicine, National Travel Health Network and Centre (UK), Norwegian Forum for Travel Medicine, the Royal College of Nursing Travel Health Forum (UK), and the Swedish Society for Tropical Medicine, Travel Medicine and International Health.
Conference Program
The three main innovative themes of the conference are:
- Travelers' health and the environment (global warming, natural disasters and emerging infections)
- Recent advances in clinical practice, but including classical topics such as malaria, vaccinations, counseling the traveler, the need for insurance, allergies and anaphylaxis
- Issues relating broadly to Northern Europe and the Baltic Region such as: infection and other health issues in temperate/cold climates; mobility of populations between "East" and "West"; accidents and risks relating to skiing, deep-sea diving, sailing, and mountaineering; and travel to the Arctic.
There will be three plenary sessions, nine concurrently run symposia (27 different choices of sessions in total), eight workshops and four free scientific paper sessions, with speakers and workshops to suit all levels of travel health practice.
On a lighter note, at the beginning and end of each day there will be short special interest sessions to appeal to both delegates and accompanying persons, including children: stories about the infamous Edinburgh body snatchers Burke and Hare, the ghosts that roam along the Royal Mile in Edinburgh, a musical extravaganza on the illnesses that affected the great European composers, and tales of the sea voyages of the Nordic peoples and how their populations have intermingled throughout history.
Whether you are a physician, nurse, pharmacist, or allied professional, in the media or industry, working at the forefront of the specialty or struggling in a situation with limited time and resources - there will be something for everyone.
The City & Venue
Everything you could hope for from a city is on offer in Edinburgh. Within easy walking distance of the Conference Centre is an unprecedented range of shopping, restaurants and night life. For those looking for cultural choices there are castles, houses, museums and gardens, all waiting to be explored. Scotland's unique craft industries are open to all - choose from cashmeres and tartans, glass and silverware, or discover one of the many distilleries delighted to open their doors to curious and thirsty visitors!
Social Program
A truly Scottish welcome is planned. The opening get-together takes place in the Royal Museum of Scotland, one of Scotland's finest examples of Victorian architecture. It houses international collections of decorative arts, science and industry, archaeology and the natural world. Other trips and excursions, including programs for accompanying persons, will be available.
Restaurants
There are restaurants for every taste. Whether they are stylish wine bars or informal bistros, waterfront seafood restaurants or traditional pubs, the emphasis is on top quality, local produce, and professional service. Scotland has a wealth of fresh, natural produce from land and sea, including prime Aberdeen Angus beef, rich venison and game, freshly caught seafood, specialty Scottish cheeses, and delicious berries and vegetables - and, of course, haggis, a Scottish favorite.
Accommodation
Throughout Edinburgh and the surrounding countryside you will find a huge range of properties, offering good value in terms of price and style to fit all budgets. Accommodations range from ancient castles, elegant Georgian townhouses, and modern luxury hotels to comfortable guest houses, bed and breakfasts, and university accommodations.
The Truth about the Weather!
The annual rainfall is the same as in Frankfurt, Rome and New York. Edinburgh enjoys a moderate year-round climate, being situated on the drier, eastern coast of Scotland. A perfect June day dawns warm and pleasant with a clear blue sky, and compares favorably with those in other European cities.
Getting there
Edinburgh has long been a major tourist destination, and transport links are excellent, whether by air, rail or road. The airport is only 12km west of the city centre and has more than 25 return flights each day to London, plus regular services to other UK cities. For Scandinavia and Northeast Europe, Copenhagen is a major transit destination with flights directly to Edinburgh. From Norway, Aberdeen is an option, then rail to Edinburgh. And there are numerous direct transatlantic flights linking the US and Canada to Edinburgh, and also to Glasgow, only 45 minutes away.
Further Information
Additional information about the programme and registration is available at www.nectm.com. Register before February 2006 to receive discounted rates and secure a place at what promises to be the foremost Travel Medicine event of 2006. We look forward to welcoming you to Edinburgh!
