The International Papillomavirus Society cordially invites you to participate in the Twenty-Sixth Annual International Papillomavirus Conference and Clinical Workshop in Montréal, Québec, Canada from July 3-8, 2010. This will be the third of our Conferences to take place in Canada, following the highly successful 14th IPV Conference in Québec City (1995) and the 22nd Conference in Vancouver, British Columbia (2005).

Canadian scientistics, clinicians, epidemiologists and public health workers have a long and distinguished record of seminal contributions to the understanding and management of papillomavirus-associated diseases. We look forward to their vision for the scientific, educational and social programs that will promote continuing medical education opportunities, public health measures and public awareness of papillomavirus diseases through the presentation of in-depth Clinical Workshops and special Symposia throughout the week.

 

The Conference comes at a critical juncture when the global scientific achievements of the past several decades have enabled effective management of many HPV diseases and prevention of new infections but when implementation is still a work in progress, particularly in the many regions of the world where economic challenges are limiting access to vaccines and molecular screening for HPV infections. Accordingly, we wish to encourage financial sponsorship of the Workshop and Conference from foundations and governmental organizations as well as from corporate supporters to help facilitate the strongest possible scientific and educational program. Such assistance is especially critical to enable the participation of students as well as many research colleagues, clinicians and other public health workers who otherwise might not be able to attend the Conference.

The papillomavirus research community has come together for scientific exchanges since the mid-1970ís and has met regularly since 1982, with a special emphasis on relating the basic virology of infection to disease outcomes and using this knowledge to develop effective diagnostic capabilities and therapeutic and prophylactic strategies. With the steady growth in numbers and global representation of investigators from many diverse and complementing disciplines, the International Papillomavirus Society was officially incorporated as a not-for-profit biomedical, scientific, and educational organization in July 2000. Its mission is to encourage basic and applied research scientists, clinical investigators, epidemiologists, public health workers, investigators associated with pharmaceutical and biotechnology firms, governmental health officers and policy makers, and members of patient support groups to share their knowledge, their ideas and their respective commitments to the improved understanding, treatment and prevention of HPV-associated diseases. The IPVís web site www.IPVSoc.org provides comprehensive information about the functions and activities of the Society. Current efforts include a complete updating of the papillomavirus sequence and structure databases, reviews and bibliographic resources.

Over the coming months, the dedicated efforts of the principal organizers, the local and international planning committees, and the session chairs will establish the logistical foundation for the Conference and the program of educational and research presentations. Most critically, the success of the Conference ultimately depends on the investigative achievements of the entire international research community, the contribution of abstracts, and then our convergence in MontrÈal to share new discoveries and insights with colleagues and friends. Montréal is a grand metropolis which bridges European and North American histories and traditions in old and contemporary architecture and in a lively mix of social customs and fine and performing arts. It is a city which takes great pride in its academic scholarship, medical care systems, and economic engines. We very much hope that these achievements and attractions will provide you and your associates with a special motivation to participate in its embracing spirit of fellowship. Welcome!

Tom Broker
President, International Papillomavirus Society