Page 9 - FSANZ Autumn 21 Volume 95 Amended

Sydney 2021 no longer ‘a bridge too far’
An exceptional program is being planned for the FSANZ annual scientific meeting to be held at the International Convention Centre in Sydney from 11 to 15 September 2021.
It will be a welcome return to face-to-face attendance after the Society’s 2020 meeting was deferred because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Professor Michael Chapman AM, Chair of the Sydney Organising Committee, declared: “COVID put us in hibernation, but the big bear will be out and roaring!”
The program includes outstanding local speakers and a growing list of acclaimed international leaders in assisted reproduction who will present web-based lectures.
“We will be featuring a broad spectrum of globally renowned scientists, doctors, nurses and counsellors in the web-based lectures providing vital insights into advances in the treatment and management of patients experiencing infertility,” Professor Chapman said.
“With the roll-out of the COVID-19 vaccine, the easing of border restrictions and other government measures, we are confident of attracting a very large attendance to make it one of the best annual scientific meetings ever presented.
“I know many of our members are looking forward to catching up again at the meeting, which will be the first under our new name of the Fertility Society of Australia and New Zealand.”
The theme of the meeting is The View From The Bridge with a focus on the past, present and the future.
“We will be introducing new formats to promote collegiality across our membership and additional themed sessions will embrace multidisciplinary topics,” Professor Chapman said.
“With planned debates on controversial issues it will be an exciting and stimulating program including the traditional president’s debate in the final session.
“The topic of the debate is The Future Will Be Better Than The Past. Participants will include many well known faces, but the committee also welcomes volunteer debaters for either side.”
On Saturday 11 September, the FSANZ’s professional groups will hold their workshops and the Merck Symposium the following day will focus on miscarriage with local and international experts in the field.
“Ferring and Vitrolife are planning excellent sessions for the early risers bringing in international experts to our meeting,” Professor Chapman said.
“The conference dinner, as always, will be a highlight featuring a talent segment. Entries will be called for well in advance and a vetting committee will select the best three audition tapes submitted. It will be great fun.
“We all know Sydney is a great place for a conference and we look forward to seeing our members there and help make this a very memorable meeting.”
For more information, go to www.fsaconference.com or email fsaconference@wsm.com.au
ASPIRE 2021 Congress to be presented in virtual format
The 10th Congress of the Asia Pacific Initiative on Reproduction (ASPIRE 2021) will be a virtual meeting presented from 30 April to 2 May and on 8 and 9 May.
The on-line scientific program will feature as many highpoints as the original congress format that was scheduled to be held in the Philippines last year, but was then cancelled due to the COVID pandemic.
Participants in the virtual congress can still expect a great line- up of international speakers and interactive opportunities.
ASPIRE President, Professor Budi Wiweko, said the virtual congress would enable participants from all over the world to enjoy the academic exchange and learn from issues related to assisted reproduction in the Asia Pacific region.
“We welcome your participation to make the ASPIRE 2021 virtual congress a memorable one,” he said.
For further information, email secretariat@aspirereproduction.org or go to the website www.aspire2021.com
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