Welcome address

Dear Colleagues and Friends!



The organising committee and the Icelandic Society of Allergy and Clinical Immunology (IACI) warmly welcome you to the 21st Nordic Congress of Allergology in Reykjavík.

This is the first time that this congress is held in Reykjavík. It has been the ambition of the organising committee to have lectures and presentations with high scientific standard and interest. We are grateful to all speakers who contribute to this meeting. We also thank scientists that have submitted abstracts for poster- and oral presentations.

This congress is probably the last Nordic Congress of Allergology. The Nordic Society for Allergology (NFA) has proposed a change in the constitution for NFA. Instead the NFA will arrange Educational Seminars for training/ education and Scientific Seminars every second year, rotating between the Nordic countries.

I hope that you will enjoy your stay in Iceland. We have asked the weather gods for sunshine - but only during breaks in the congress (!) to give you opportunity both to hear lectures of the highest scientific quality and enjoy our country! Ample time has been provided for sightseeing in and around Reykjavík. A refreshing and favourite Icelandic recreational activity is swimming in the many geothermally heated swimming pools. Whale watching excursions from the Reykjavík harbour, fishing and horse back riding in the vicinity and guided tours are all available to our guests upon request. During the congress you will be able to visit the Blue Lagoon, City hall and join us on Friday evening in Restaurant Perlan. This restaurant is unique, built on a revolving floor of a geothermal heat plant that turns a full circle in two hours and you have a beautiful view of the Reykjavík area.

I thank the organising committee for their contribution, Congress Reykjavík for organising the meeting and members of the board of Nordic Society for Allergology for their support and goodwill. I also thank all sponsors for their support and enthusiasm. Finally I wish you a pleasant stay in Iceland. Welcome!

XXI Nordic Congress of Allergology

Reykjavík, 21.-24.08 2002

Hosted by The Icelandic Society of Allergy & Clinical Immunology

Organising Committee

Sigurður Kristjánsson, chairman

Gunnar Jónasson, treasurer

Ásgeir Haraldsson

Björn Árdal

Sigurveig Þ. Sigurðardóttir

Unnur Steina Björnsdóttir

Professional Conference Organizers:

Congress Reykjavík, Conference Management Services Ltd. is the official organizing agency for the XXI Nordic Congress of Allergology. The address is: Congress Reykjavík, Engjateigi 5, IS-105 Reykjavík, tel: +354 585 3900, fax: +354 585 3901, e-mail: congress@congress.is