EACMFS was established in 1970 by a group of innovative European surgeons who were keen to advance the specialty. It is has become the most prominent and highly respected professional group for the specialty in Europe and has a high profile in other parts of the World. The EACMFS conducts a bi-annual scientific meeting which is hosted by the president of this association.

The Congress in 2010 was held in Bruges, Belgium and this year’s EACMFS 2012 was held in Dubrovnik, Croatia. Host for the next congress, for 2014, will be the capital and largest city of the Czech Republic, Prague.

After the EACMFS 2012, Prof. Mišo Virag, MD, PhD, FRCS, President of EACMFS (2010-2012), took time to tell us something more about the Congress and its organization.

1.  This year, the 21^st EACMFS Congress took place. Could you tell us something more about the congress itself?

The Congress of the European Association for Cranio-Maxillo-Facial Surgery (EACMFS) takes place every second year. Traditionally, the Congress gathers maxillo-facial surgeons, but also oral surgeons, surgeons from all border areas such as: plastic surgery, otorhinolaryngology and neurosurgery. Participants came from all European countries, but also from all around the world. Because of the aforesaid, the EACMFS congress represents the most important and the largest professional gathering from the field of Maxillo-Facial Surgery.

2. Croatia and the city of Dubrovnik welcomed EACMFS Congress for the first time. How difficult it was to get candidacy and organization of such a significant congress?

The first congress took place 40 years ago in Ljubljana, and after that, all congresses were organized in the countries of the Western Europe. The reason that the first congress was organized in Ljubljana is not its geographic location, but the authority of professor Čelesnik, who was the president at that time.

Six years prior to the congress, the EACMFS Council, which gathers representatives of all national associations, elects the president suggested by the national association, and proposed by the Executive Committee. The elected president suggests the location where the congress will take place. The selection of Dubrovnik, as a destination for the congress to take place arose just naturally. The congress centre of the Valamar resort was the only one to meet all the requirements for the organization of the gathering which was expected to welcome over 1,000 participants: plenary hall disposes of 1,000 seats, four halls with 250 seats for topical sessions, and accommodation in the near vicinity.

3. How many participants attended the Congress? Which countries did they come from?

The Congress was attended by 1,400 participants, from 64 countries. Number of participants depends on professional and scientific programs and reputation of the key lecturers and participants of the panel, who make an integral part of the program. However, it is certain that such an attractive location as the city of Dubrovnik is, also contributed. The participants had the opportunity to visit the old town also as tourists, and some segments of the congress such as opening ceremony and dinner were organized in the centre of town. As for the professional segment, special attention was paid to panels organized with supreme experts from various areas, and the top highlight was the session which included participation of representatives of the teams engaged in face transplantation, operation which has been performed only 26 times so far.

4. Which PCO agency was responsible for this event and what organizational aspects it covered?

The gathering was organized by the Agency 361°, managed by Darije Papo. The team from 361° ran all aspects except for the professional correspondence. Thus, they were in charge of organization of accommodation, advertising, website, application and registration, preparation of the congress centre, transport of the invited lecturers, production of the opening ceremony, and the social program. Judging by the feedback following the Congress, the participants were extremely satisfied with the organization and their hosts, which, apart from PCO was achieved through selection of the location for the congress and which enabled that all activities were at the walking distance.

5. In your opinion, how much did the organization of such an important congress contributed to the improvement of Maxillo-Facial Surgery in Croatia and the region?

It is certain that welcoming of such supreme experts gives the best insight into development of the latest professional achievements. Also, the Congress enabled presentation of work of experts from the entire region, and imposed comparison with the world. Unfortunately, partly due to high amount of the registration fee, number of participants from the region was lower that it could have been.

S.G.