Dear Colleagues and Friends,

The ECI 2021 Organizing Committees have very closely monitored the ever-changing developments regarding the COVID-19 pandemic in the past few months. Regrettably, because the outlook presents too many uncertainties, the ECI 2021 Steering Committee, in unison with the EFIS Board, has decided to hold ECI 2021 as a virtual meeting. Although we all long to meet each other face-to-face, current and foreseeable circumstances oblige us to meet remotely to protect everyone’s health and safety.

The Scientific Program Committee is already hard at work to adapt the program to the virtual format in order to guarantee an event that covers the full spectrum of immunological-related research with a slate of exceptional keynote and plenary sessions featuring two Nobel Laureates and a line-up of internationally renowned scientists. Main and regular symposia sessions and a host of joint guest symposia will “open doors” to societies working in related fields. And, as could be expected, the latest developments regarding COVID-19 will feature prominently in several sessions and two specific symposia dedicated to the pandemic. ECI 2021 will implement a state-of-the-art virtual platform to provide our participants, speakers and industrial partners access to the scientifically stimulating program, valuable discussions and networking opportunities through various chat functions and video chat rooms. Additional innovative measures to fully engage participants are also in the works.

We truly hope you will help us bring to fruition the premier event for the European immunology community, make it your go-to meeting in 2021, and join us in “opening doors to the world of immunology” and embracing colleagues from around the world.We very much look forward to welcoming you virtually in September 2021.

 

Sincerely,

Gunnur Deniz, ECI 2021 President

Andreas Radbruch, EFIS President