ECTRIMS Congress 2011

ECTRIMS, ACTRIMS and the Local Organizing Committee it is our pleasure to invite you to the 5th Joint Triennial Congress of the European and Americas Committees on Treatment and Research in Multiple Sclerosis (ECTRIMS and ACTRIMS), which will be held in Amsterdam, the Netherlands, 19–22 October 2011.

These are exciting times for MS research, with diagnosis becoming more accurate, disease mechanisms more and more unraveled, and several new treatment options available. These exciting developments also pose new challenges.

Amsterdam is a natural choice for this Joint Triennial ECTRIMS / ACTRIMS Congress. Its name is derived from Amstellerdam, indicative of the city’s origin: a dam in the river Amstel. Settled as a small fishing village in the late 12th century, Amsterdam became one of the most important ports in the world during the 17th century, the Dutch Golden Age, a result of its innovative developments in trade. Since, it has been a leading trading and cultural city, where art, commerce, creativity and tolerance are guiding principles. Nowadays, Amsterdam’s main attractions include the historic canals, the Rijksmuseum, van Gogh Museum, Stedelijk Museum, Hermitage Amsterdam, Anne Frank House, the restored facades of historic buildings representing all periods in its history, as well as the many markets and coffee shops.

Amsterdam is easily accessible by its direct worldwide air links to all major regions of the world, and it has a wide range of hotel accommodations in all categories. The venue of the congress, the newly renovated Amsterdam RAI Exhibition & Convention Centre, is one of the busiest exhibition and conference centers in the world, with easy connections to both the international airport and main train stations. We are looking forward to meeting you in Amsterdam, in October 2011, to a congress that will offer exciting science, an enjoyable atmosphere, and many opportunities to meet with colleagues.