Welcome from ERS President Jørgen Vestbo

It is a true pleasure to be hosting the 26th International Congress of the European Respiratory Society in London.

The ERS International Congress has grown to be the largest meeting in the world in the respiratory field and this year's event will not disappoint. The Chairs of the Scientific and Educational Councils, together with all ERS Officers, are busy preparing a programme that will challenge our thinking minds, encourage debate and offer new insights across the spectrum of respiratory health and disease.The ERS International Congress has grown to be the largest meeting in the world in the respiratory field and this year's true pleasure to be hosting the 26th International Congress of the European Respiratory Society in London.

We extend a special welcome to our existing and new members as we have seen our numbers rise this year with more partnerships developed with national and international societies. The Congress is the pinnacle of the year for our growing respiratory community, and others who attend our Congress, and represents a key opportunity to share knowledge across borders and professional disciplines as we work towards a common goal of improving respiratory health.

This year will see the most interactive Congress experience available. Alongside our official Congress app, we will partner with SpotMe, a highly effective networking app available for free for all delegates. The app will allow you to navigate the programme, network, access session materials, use the interactive floor plan and exhibition map, interact with faculty, access CME points, collect Congress materials, watch missed sessions and much more. More information on this will be shared on the website and in our newsletter.

Also, the venue is spectacular. It offers lots of space, also for sitting down with colleagues and collaborators for networking – one of the main attractions for coming to an ERS International Congress.

I look forward to welcoming you to London for the most exciting event in the respiratory calendar.

Professor Jørgen Vestbo