Author: thyrokim

The allure of Paris, France proved irresistible to some 3,000 participants trooping to the Palais des Congres for 5 days in the fashion & cultural capital of the world.  The 14th International Thyroid Congress (ITC) held on September 11-16  was hosted by the European Thyroid Association (ETA) whose turn it was after 20 years.  ITCs rotate every 5 years through the continents (Buenos Aires, Argentina in 2005; Kyoto, Japan in 2000; Toronto, Canada in 1995; The Hague, Netherlands in 1991, instead of 1990).  The Paris Congress was, by far, the largest ITC in terms of attendance. Not surprisingly, since the ITC Program Organizing Committee (composed of 3 members each from ETA, ATA, LATS & AOTA) spared no efforts in developing a tightly-packed scientific program interspersed with Social Events at the historic Versailles and various city tours.

It was in Nagoya, Japan, when AOTA began its every 2-year congress, heralding a more frequent scientific meeting among thyroidologists in and outside the Asian Region.  Held in the Nagoya Congress Center on November 1-4, 2009 and held in conjunction with the 52nd Annual Meeting of the Japan Thyroid Association (JTA), the 9th AOTA Congress featured 2 Prize Lectures, 2 Symposia, 1 ICCIDD Symposium, 22 Oral Presentations, 16 Selected Poster Presentations, 146 Posters, 1 Luncheon Seminar, and a Special Lecture by Prof Martin Schlumberger.  A visit to the famed Nagoya Castle capped the local tour.

The 8th AOTA Congress held in Manila, Philippines on February 4-7, 2007 was a collaboration of 3 medical societies and an international organization.  The Philippine Thyroid Association (PTA), the Philippine Society of Endocrinology & Metabolism (PSEM), and the Philippine Society of Nuclear Medicine (PSNM) joined forces with the International Council for Control of Iodine Deficiency Disorders (ICCIDD) in organizing “AOTA in Manila” which drew 633 participants.  Held at the Sofitel Philippine Plaza Hotel, this Congress was attended by 467 local and 166 foreign delegates (27% Korean, 20% Chinese, 13% Japanese).  The International Board Meeting of ICCIDD was a pre-Congress event with many of ICCIDD delegates acting as lecturers, moderators or panelists.  Social events included a Cultural Night & Dinner and a cruise along the Manila Bay and other local tours.