ASCIA 2024 Conference Report 

The ASCIA 2024 Conference was held from Tuesday 3rd to Friday 6th September 2024 at the Adelaide Convention Centre. This was a hybrid conference, which enables virtual or  in-person attendance, and on-demand viewing of sessions for all registered delegates for up to six months after the conference.

ASCIA 2024 Conference Sessions can now be viewed on-demand by registered delegates on the conference platform until the end of March 2025, to enable continued professional development (CPD).

The ASCIA 2024 Conference Program Book is available here: ASCIA 2024 PROGRAM BOOK1.3 MB

Congratulations to the Chair, Dr Jovanka King, and her committee on organising a highly successful event with an outstanding program, which attracted another record high number of 860 total registrations, comprising:

• 706 registered delegates (including speakers and chairs) - 73% in-person, 27% virtual
• 154 sponsor and exhibitor delegates from 36 sponsor/exhibitor organisations 

Highlights from the ASCIA 2024 Conference include:

• An international standard of continuing professional development (CPD) with presentations of the latest research and issues in allergy and clinical immunology, presented by more than 70 speakers, including invited nternational speakers - Professor Manish Butte, Professor Mathew Greenhawt and Professor Alexandra Santos.
• Interactive Q&A panels for all sessions, with the option of asking questions via the fixed microphones onsite or on the conference app.
• An entertaining Basten Oration presented by Prof Mike Gold, chaired by A/Prof Patrick Quinn. The Basten Oration is available open access at www.allergy.org.au/conferences/ascia-annual-conference/annual-ascia-basten-oration
• 132 posters - abstracts will be published online in the Internal Medicine Journal, and a link will be available at www.allergy.org.au/conferences/ascia-annual-conference/published-abstracts-ascia 
• 23 oral clinical grand rounds case presentations and 24 oral poster presentations - award winners are listed on the ASCIA website www.allergy.org.au/hp/awards-grants/ascia-award-grant-scholarship-recipients#s1 
• 9 sponsored sessions which can be accessed on demand post-event. 
• Presentations by AIFA grant recipients from 2022.https://www.allergyimmunology.org.au/projects/projects#latest
• The 2nd annual ASCIA Immunodeficiency Update for Nurses on Thursday 5^th September.
• Concurrent Allergy Updates for Medical Practitioners, Nurses and Dietitians on Friday 6th September.
• A record high participation in social functions = dinners on Wednesday night for 80 Trainees/Consultants and 70 Nurses.
• A record high number of more than 200 guests attend the black and white themed Gala Dinner at Adelaide Zoo. Guests enjoyed pre-dinner drinks with the Giant Pandas Wang Wang and Fu Ni, and then our very own Panda helped Jovanka King present awards. 

ASCIA 2023 Conference Report

The ASCIA 2023 Conference was a highly successful event which was held at the International Convention Centre (ICC) Sydney from Tuesday 5th to Friday 8th September 2023. This was a hybrid conference, which enables virtual or  in-person attendance, and on-demand viewing of sessions for all registered delegates after the conference.

The Final Program Book is available here:

ASCIA 2023 PROGRAM BOOK1.51 MB 

The ASCIA 2023 Conference attracted a record high of more than 700 registered delegates, with around 75% per cent of delegates attending in person, in addition to more than 150 sponsor and exhibitor delegates. Delegates appeared to welcome interactions with colleagues and feedback has been very positive.

There were several highlights, including:

• An international standard of continuing professional development (CPD)*, with presentations of the latest research and issues in allergy and clinical immunology, presented by more than 60 speakers, including five international speakers - A/Prof Edmond Chan (Canada), Prof Anna Nowak-Wegrzyn (USA), Prof Anne Puel (France), Dr Lluis Quintana-Murc (France) and A/Prof Elizabeth Tham (Singapore).
• Interactive Q&A panels for all sessions, with the option of asking questions via the fixed microphones at ICC Sydney, the conference app or the conference platform.
• The 2023 Basten Oration presented by Prof Connie Katelaris AM, which was chaired by Prof Ron Walls AM and attended by Prof Tony Basten AO. The Basten Oration can be viewed open access at www.allergy.org.au/conferences/ascia-annual-conference/annual-ascia-basten-oration
• A record high number of 26 clinical grand rounds (CGR) presenters, with 25 CGR cases presented in-person. 
• A record high number of 139 posters - abstracts have been published online in the Internal Medicine Journal which can be accessed at www.allergy.org.au/conferences/ascia-annual-conference/published-abstracts-ascia
• AIFA grant recipients from 2021 presenting their research, and the announcement of the 2023 AIFA grants, which are listed on the AIFA website https://www.allergyimmunology.org.au/projects/projects#latest
• An inaugural ASCIA Immunodeficiency Update for Nurses on Thursday 7^th September.
• Three concurrent Allergy Updates for Medical Practitioner, Nurses and Dietitians on Friday 8th September.
• A record high participation in six social functions held over four nights, including dinners on Wednesday night for 80 Trainees/Consultants and 70 Nurses, and the Gala Dinner for more than 200 delegates on Thursday night - all were fun and memorable events.

The ASCIA 2023 Conference was the 2nd hybrid ASCIA Conference, and we continue to learn more from the process of organising what is essentially two conferences (in-person and virtual) in one.

Thank you to the:

• Organising committee, chaired by Dr Katie Frith, for their work in compiling an outstanding program, and for paticipating as session chairs and speakers. Members. Main Program - Dr Paul Gray, Dr Alisa Kane, Dr Karuna Keat, A/Prof Jennifer Koplin, Dr Kathryn Patchett, Prof Kirsten Perrett, Dr Kahn Preece, Dr Shruti Swamy, Dr Winnie Tong, Dr Brynn Wainstein, Dr James Yun. Updates for Nurses and Dietitians: Kathy Beck, Jan Belcher, Wendy Birks, Geraldine Dunne, Carolina Valerio. Allergy Update for Medical Practitioners: Dr Lara Ford, Dr Kathryn Heyworth, Dr Rohit Saldanha.
• ASCIA team, managed by Jill Smith, (ASCIA CEO) for coordinatiing speaker/chair invitations and confirmations, sponsorship and exhibition,  program development, communications, dinners, finances, poster and CGR abstract review, editing and prizes. The ASCIA team comprises Rikki Dunstall (Finance and Operations Officer), Michelle Haskard (Senior Project Officer) and Nadene Dorling (Senior Project Officer). ASCIA Project Officers who commenced work with ASCIA in March 2023 (Emily Mamo and Georgina Egan) attended all allergy sesssions to assist in their work on National Allergy Council projects and to provide feedback on the program.
• ICMSA team, managed by Siobhan Jensen (Event Manager) for managing complex onsite and virtual logistics, with more technological challenges than previous ASCIA conferences. The ICMSA team includes Jessica Moebus (Event Coordinator) and Emily Low (Event Assistant).

Whilst we will make modifications in future based on feedback and data, we will continue with the hybrid model for the ASCIA 2024 Conferences, as it has several advantages, including:

• Participation -  for delegates when travel isn’t possible or feasible. 
• Ongoing CPD - with all sessions accessible on demand for six months after the conference.
• Q&A sessions - which enable in-person and virtual delegates  to submit questions.

We greatly appreciate the support from the ASCIA 2023 Conference sponsors, which allows ASCIA to provide an outstanding program at a reasonable registration fee. Sponsors and exhibitors are listed at www.allergy.org.au/about-ascia/sponsors

Other meetings held during the ASCIA 2023 Conference week inlcuded:

• ASCIA Annual General Meeting (AGM) chaired by A/Prof Theresa Cole (ASCIA President) on Thursday 7th September. The ASCIA Annual Report is a record of presentations from the AGM asnd is available at www.allergy.org.au/members/ascia-agm 
• CIRCA (Australian Immunogenomics) Symposium at the Garvan Institute, Darlinghurst on Monday 4th September
• Practical Rhinoscopy Workshop at St Vincent’s Hospital, Darlinghurst on Saturday 9th September.

To improve sustainability, the ASCIA 2023 Conference featured:

• A living, digital Program Book, which can be kept up to date and reduces waste associated with printing. 
• Online posters, which reduces production costs and waste associated with printing and transporting of posters.
• Namebadges that do not include a plastic holder and reusable lanyards.

We look forward to seeing you at the ASCIA 2024 Conference, which will be held from Tuesday 3rd to Friday 6th September 2024 at the Adelaide Convention Centre (ACC), chaired by Dr Jovanka King.

*Continuing Professional Development (CPD)

• All ASCIA 2023 Conference delegates receive a Certificate of Attendance.
• The ASCIA 2023 Conference program includes seven hours of sessions each day, providing a total of 28 hours of content (excluding sponsored sessions, lunch, afternoon and morning breaks) for the four day conference.
• ASCIA is a peak professional medical organisation and therefore CPD hours attained by attending the ASCIA 2023 Conference are acknowledged by medical colleges and accreditation bodies in Australia and New Zealand.
• In 2023 ASCIA trialled a new CPD system with the RACP which involves registering attendance each day using QR codes. CPD hours will be sent  to the RACP for fellows of the RACP who submit their member identification number in the ASCIA 2023 Conference registration process.

ASCIA 2022 Conference Report

ASCIA 2022 PROGRAM BOOK 1.45 MB

The ASCIA 2022 Conference was a highly successful hybrid event which was held from Tuesday 30th August to Friday 2nd September, with in-person participation in Melbourne.

The conference attracted more than 600 registered delegates, with around 60 per cent of delegates attending in person, in addition to more than 150 sponsor and exhibitor delegates.

Delegates seemed to welcome their interactions with colleagues for the first time since 2019 at an ASCIA Conference. There were several highlights, including:

• An international standard of continuing professional development (CPD), with presentations of the latest research and issues in allergy and clinical immunology, presented by more than 50 speakers, in more than 40 sessions. 
• A record high number of 104 posters - abstracts are published online in the Internal Medicine Journal which can be accessed at www.allergy.org.au/conferences/ascia-annual-conference/published-abstracts-ascia
• Interactive Q&A panels for all sessions.
• The ASCIA 2022 Dinner for Trainees and Consultants on Wednesday, and the Gala Dinner on Thursday, which were both memorable events.
• The 2022 Basten Oration which was presented by Dr David Hill, who received a standing ovation, and was attended by Prof Tony Basten AO. The Basten Oration can be viewed open access at www.allergy.org.au/conferences/ascia-annual-conference/annual-ascia-basten-oration
• AIFA grant recipients from 2020 presenting their research, and the announcement of the 2022 AIFA grants, which are listed at www.allergyimmunology.org.au/news/aifa-announces-grant-recipients-for-2022

The ASCIA 2022 Conference was the first hybrid ASCIA Conference, so we have learnt a lot in the process of organising what is essentially two conferences in one. Thank you to the:

• Organising committee for their work in compiling an outstanding program, and for paticipating as session chairs and speakers. Members - Dr Julian Bosco, A/Prof Theresa Cole, Helen Czech, Prof Jo Douglass, Dr Catherine Hornung, A/Prof Jennifer Koplin, Dr Vicki McWilliam, Dr Sam Mehr, A/Prof Kirsten Perrett, Dr Stephanie Richards, Dr Bella Shadur, Dr Joanne Smart, Dr Dean Tey (Chair). 
• ASCIA team for managing invitations and confirmations for speakers and chairs; sponsorship and exhibition; program development; communications; dinners; finances; onsite coordination; poster and CGR abstract review, editing and prizes. The ASCIA team includes Jill Smith, Michelle Haskard, Rikki Dunstall and Nadene Dorling.
• ICMSA team for managing complex onsite and virtual logistics, and more technological challenges than previous ASCIA conferences, with the addition of recordings, the conference platform and app. The ICMSA team includes Siobhan Jensen, Kate Stevens, Jessica Moebus, Emily Glen and Alisha Hayes.

We have received positive and constructive feedback from delegates, sponsors and exhibitors. Whilst we will make modifications in future based on this feedback and data, we will continue with the hybrid model for the ASCIA Annual Conferences in 2023 and 2024, as it has several advantages, including:

• Ongoing CPD opportunities, with all sessions accessible on demand for six months after the conference.
• Access to the Friday concurrent sessions on demand for six months after the conference.
• An interactive program that allows delegates (in-person and virtual) to submit questions online during live Q&A panels in each session.
• Opportunities for all poster and CGR presentations to be recorded and available on demand for six months after the conference.
• Sustainability benefits, due to online content versus printing, and accessibility for delegates when travel isn’t possible or feasible. 
• Access to updates about recent developments in sponsored sessions and the exhibition.

We greatly appreciate the support from the ASCIA 2022 Conference sponsors, which allows ASCIA to provide an outstanding program at a reasonable registration fee. Sponsors and exhibitors are listed at www.allergy.org.au/about-ascia/sponsors

The ASCIA 2022 Conference week also featured:

• The official launch of the National Allergy Council (NAC) and the National Allergy Centre of Excellence (NACE) by the Hon. Ged Kearney MP, Assistant Minister for Health and Aged Care, on Wednesday 31st August.
• The ASCIA Annual General Meeting on Friday 2nd September, and Minutes are available at www.allergy.org.au/members/ascia-agm  We welcome A/Prof Theresa Cole as the new ASCIA President and thank Prof Michaela Lucas for her excellent leadership as the ASCIA President over the past two challenging years from 2020 to 2022. ASCIA Council members for 2022-2024 are listed at www.allergy.org.au/members/committees#counc

We look forward to seeing you at the ASCIA 2023 Conference, which will be held as a hybrid event in Sydney next September.

Kind regards,

ASCIA 2021 Conference Report

ASCIA 2021 Virtual Program Book 1-3 September571.14 KB

The ASCIA 2021 Conference was a highy successful virtual event, which was held from Wednesday 1st to Friday 3rd September 2021. Whilst we would have preferred to have been together in person, our decision to host a Virtual Conference provided some much-needed certainty and change of routine during challenging times.

The ASCIA 2021 Virtual Conference was the largest ASCIA Conference to date, with almost 700 registered delegates. We are proud of what was achieved and we received very positive feedback about the content and platform from delegates and sponsors.

The Conference provided an international standard of CPD/CME for delegates, with 58 speakers in the main program, including 12 international experts, 71 poster presentations, 19 clinical grand rounds (CGR) presentations, 31 speakers in 17 sponsored sessions, and specific programs for Nurses, Dietitians and Associate Medical Days on the Friday. 

We look forward to seeing you at the ASCIA 2022 Hybrid Conference, which will be held as  hybrid event from Tuesday 30^th August to Friday 2^nd September 2022.

Kind regards,

On behalf of the ASCIA 2021 Conference committee:

ASCIA 2021 Conference committee

Chair - Prof Michaela Lucas (WA) 

Members

ASCIA Directors: Dr Theresa Cole (VIC), A/Prof Jane Peake (QLD), Dr Michael O'Sullivan (WA).

ASCIA Committee Chairs: Dr Karl Baumgart (NSW), Dr Lara Ford (NSW), Dr Katie Frith (NSW), Prof Connie Katelaris AM (NSW), Dr Kathryn Patchett (NSW),

ASCIA Associate Representatives: Kathy Beck (QLD), Dr Kathryn Heyworth (QLD), Dr Briony Tyquin (NSW).

Other members: Dr Tiffany Hughes (SA), Dr Preeti Joshi (NSW), Dr Dean Tey (VIC), Dr Brynn Wainstein (NSW), Dr Melanie Wong (NSW).

ASCIA Council Area Representatives: 
Dr Andrew Baker (NZ), A/Prof Katrina Randall (ACT), Dr Narinder Kaur (NSW), Dr Jovanka King (SA), Dr Alberto Pinzon (QLD), Dr Stephanie Richards (VIC), A/Prof Kristina Rueter (WA).

ASCIA 2019 Conference Report

Highlights of the ASCIA 2019 Conference included:

• The opening address by the Minister for Health, the Hon Greg Hunt MP, which included an announcement that a parliamentary inquiry into allergic diseases will be undertaken by the Standing Committee on Health. This will provide the opportunity for a thorough investigation into the many issues regarding the management of allergic diseases in Australia.
• A highly acclaimed program that included talks by more than 60 presenters, including ten international speakers (Prof Mark Boguniewicz, Prof Mariana Castells, Prof Timothy Craig, Prof Evan Dellon, Prof Philippe Eigenmann, Dr Tomaz Garcez, A/Prof Matthew Greenhawt, Prof Peter Hellings, Prof Hugh Sampson, A/Prof Carina Venter.)
• An excellent Antibiotic and Allergy expert panel discussion chaired by Dr Norman Swan, supported by the University of Western Australia. www.allergy.org.au/hp/podcasts/antibiotics-and-allergy
  
• More than 120 abstracts submitted for posters, clinical grand rounds and clinical research presentations. 

  Congratulations to the poster and clinical grand rounds award winners, who are listed at

  www.allergy.org.au/health-professionals/awards-grants/ascia-award-grant-scholarship-recipients 
• Presentations of five AIFA research grants (a total of $120,000) at the closing function.
• A record number of sponsors and exhibitors, which continue to contribute to ASCIA Annual Conferences.
• Participation of eight past ASCIA Presidents (Prof Connie Katelaris AM, A/Prof Robert Heddle, Prof Dominic Mallon, Dr Ray Mullins, Prof Jo Douglass, Dr Melanie Wong, A/Prof Richard Loh, Dr William Smith), as well as the current ASCIA President and President Elect (Dr Brynn Wainstein, Prof Michaela Lucas).
• The 14th annual Basten Oration presented by A/Prof Richard Loh www.allergy.org.au/conferences/ascia-annual-conference/annual-ascia-basten-oration
• An engaging Welcome to Country from Marie Taylor. 
• An outstanding ASCIA 2019 Gala Dinner in the stunning Postal Hall at the historic State Buildings in Perth.

The ASCIA 2019 Conference was held in conjunction with the highly successful sixth annual CFAR Symposium, the eighth Australian and New Zealand Anaesthetic Allergy Group (ANZAAG) Symposium and the third ASCIA-DAA CAL (Centre for Advanced Learning) Food Allergy and Intolerance Course for Dietitians. 

We look forward to your participation in next year's ASCIA Annual Conference in September 2020 in Melbourne. For preliminary information go to www.ascia2020.com 

ASCIA acknowledges artist Valerie Sparks for use of her artwork ‘Emergent’ 2015 for the ASCIA 2019 Conference. 

ASCIA 2018 Conference Report

ASCIA 2018 Program Book3.45 MB

www.ascia2018.com

Thank you also to the following international speakers who presented at the conference:

• Prof Carlos Camargo (USA)
• A/Prof David Fleischer (USA)
• Prof David Jayne (UK)
• Prof Marc Riedl (USA)
• Prof Jonathan Spergel (USA)
• Dr Gulbu Uzel (USA)

Prof Antonella Muraro was unfortunately unable to travel due to an acute illness. We thank A/Prof David Fleischer for agreeing to present in the Food Allergy Plenary and Prof Dianne Campbell for presenting in the CFAR Symposium.

We would also like to take this opportunity to thank:

• Basten Orator - Dr Raymond Mullins, who presented a fascinating history of ASCIA as part of a narrative review of food allergy/anaphylaxis in Australia; and to Prof Antony Basten for travelling to Canberra for the Oration
• Invited speakers and chairs from Australia and New Zealand (more than 80) including Dr Nitin Gupta, Prof Richard Kitching, Prof Daniel (Avi) Lemberg, Dr Geoffrey Peters, Dr Stuart Schembri and Dr Doug Taupin
• Organising committee members - Dr Anthea Anantharajah, Dr Gary Chew, Prof Matthew Cook, Dr Carolyn Hawkins, Dr Raymond Mullins
• Nurses Day convenors - Narelle Duncan, Elise Field, Lucy McCabe, Anastasia Wilson
• Inaugural ASCIA Medical Associates Day convenors - Dr Nick Cooling, Dr Victoria Smith
• Inaugural ASCIA DAA Dietitian course convenors - Ingrid Roche and Caroline Salisbury
• GP Allergy Update convenor – Dr Raymond Mullins
• CFAR symposium chair - Prof Katie Allen and the CFAR team
• National Allergy Strategy breakfast team – A/Prof Richard Loh, Maria Said and Sandra Vale who presented some excellent news about long term funding to kick off the conference.
• Sponsors and exhibitors, who continue to support the ASCIA annual conference and other educational initiatives
• ASCIA and ICMSA staff, who all worked tirelessly to ensure that the conference was such a success

More than 100 abstracts were received for the ASCIA 2018 Conference, comprising:

• 17 oral clinical grand rounds case presentations, including 6 PID cases presented at the Friday PID breakfast
• 10 research oral presentations
• 78 posters, including 19 selected for oral presentations

Congratulations to the clinical grand rounds case and poster award winners who are listed on the ASCIA website www.allergy.org.au/hp/awards-grants/ascia-award-grant-scholarship-recipients#s1  

The winners were announced at the ASCIA 2018 Conference closing function, as well as the 2018 AIFA research grant recipient www.allergyimmunology.org.au/news/aifa-2018-research-grant-announcement

All abstracts will be published online in the Internal Medicine Journal by the end of this month, with a link from the ASCIA website www.allergy.org.au/conferences/ascia-annual-conference/published-abstracts-ascia

The ASCIA Annual General Meeting for 2017-2018 was held during the ASCIA 2018 Conference on Thursday 14 September. In case you missed it, the Minutes are available at www.allergy.org.au/members/ascia-agm  

The AGM included ASCIA Council elections, so we thank all outgoing members and welcome new Directors and Council members, who are listed on the ASCIA website www.allergy.org.au/members/committees#counc

We look forward to your participation in the ASCIA 2019 Conference in Perth next September, to celebrate the 30^th Anniversary of ASCIA. For preliminary information visit www.ascia2019.com

ASCIA 2017 Conference Report

ASCIA 2017 Program Book6.01 MB

28th ASCIA Annual Conference, Viaduct Events Centre Auckland, 13-15 September 2017

The ASCIA 2017 Conference was a great success, with more than 680 registrations, an outstanding program, an interactive conference app and a spectacular venue located on the stunning Waitematā Harbour in Auckland.  

The positive feedback received from delegates has indicated that it was a highlight of the year for ASCIA members and other health professionals with an interest in allergy and clinical immunology.  

Thank you to the ASCIA 2017 conference:

• Organising committee co-chairs - Dr Maia Brewerton and Dr Anthony Jordan
• Organising committee members - Dr Andy Baker, Dr Jan Sinclair and Dr Pete Storey
• Nurse and Dietitian update coordinators - Pauline Brown, Anna Richards and Simone Stephens
• CFAR symposium chair - Professor Katie Allen and the CFAR team
• Dietitian workshop coordinators - Anna Richards and Ingrid Roche
• Basten Orator - Dr Penny Fitzharris www.allergy.org.au/conferences/ascia-annual-conference/annual-ascia-basten-oration 
• Invited speakers and chairs (~80) from New Zealand or Australia
• Case and/or poster presenters - more than 20 of these were presented by advanced trainees in Allergy and Clinical Immunology
• All speakers, chairs and delegates who utilised the features of the conference app, which allowed for interactive sessions and greatly enhanced the effectiveness of question times 
• Sponsors and exhibitors, who continue to support the ASCIA annual conference and other educational initiatives 
• Staff, who all worked tirelessly to ensure that the conference was such a success

Thank you also to the following 8 international speakers who presented at the conference:

• Professor Carsten Bindslev-Jensen (ASCIA keynote speaker)
• Professor Lene Heise Garvey (ASCIA-ANZAAG Drug Allergy Symposium keynote speaker)
• Professor Jonathan Hourihane (CFAR Symposium and ASCIA keynote speaker)
• Professor Nikos Papadopoulos (CFAR Symposium and ASCIA keynote speaker)
• Professor Werner Pichler (ASCIA-ANZAAG Drug Allergy Symposium keynote speaker)
• Professor Jennifer Puck (ASCIA keynote speaker)
• Professor Hugh Sampson (CFAR Symposium and ASCIA keynote speaker)
• Professor Scott Sicherer(CFAR Symposium and ASCIA keynote speaker)

Congratulations to the clinical grand round, primary immunodeficiency case and poster award winners who are listed on the ASCIA website www.allergy.org.au/health-professionals/awards-grants/ascia-award-grant-scholarship-recipients 

A total of 92 posters were displayed and these are available to view on the conference app. You can access the app, even if you didn't attend the conference.  For instructions go to http://ascia2017.com.au/ascia-2017-app/  All abstracts have been published in the online Internal Medicine Journal and these are archived on the ASCIA website www.allergy.org.au/conferences/ascia-annual-conference/published-abstracts-ascia

The social functions were also a highlight of the conference, including a karanga (Maori welcome call) performed by a kapahaka group at the Welcome Function, and a spectacular Gala Dinner at St Matthew-in-the-City.  Photographs from these events will soon be available on the ASCIA website.

The ASCIA 2017 conference was held in conjunction with:

• ASCIA-ANZAAG 2017 Drug Allergy Symposium hosted by ASCIA and the Australia New Zealand Anaesthetic Allergy Group (ANZAAG) on Friday 15 September (half day - afternoon) and Saturday 16 September.
• ASCIA 2017 Nurse and Dietitian Updates on Friday 15 September.
• Centre for Food and Allergy Research (CFAR) Symposium 2017 on Tuesday 12 September.
• Food Allergy Workshop for dietitians on Saturday 16 September.
• Allergy New Zealand's Primary Care Allergy Update on Saturday 16 September.

The ASCIA Annual General Meeting (AGM) 2017 was held during the ASCIA 2017 Conference on Thursday 14 September. In case you missed it, the AGM Minutes are available on the ASCIA website: www.allergy.org.au/members/ascia-agm

We look forward to your partcipation in the ASCIA 2018 Conference in Canberra next September. For more information visit www.ascia2018.com

ASCIA 2016 Conference Report

ASCIA 2016 Program Book6.81 MB

27th ASCIA Annual Conference, Gold Coast Convention Centre, 14-17 September 2016

The ASCIA 2016 conference provided 786 delegates with a unique opportunity to hear from 6 international experts and more than 30 local experts on a wide range of areas in allergy and clinical immunology. The conference also included 79 posters, 48 poster presentations and 16 clinical grand rounds presentations.

Thank you to the 6 international speakers who travelled so far to share their expertise:

• Professor Abul Abbas, Dr Sergio Rosenzweig and Professor Hugh Sampson from the USA
• Professor Marcus Maurer from Germany
• Dr Michael Perkin and Dr Glenis Scadding from the UK

This is the third time that Professor Abbas has presented the Postgraduate Immunology Course at an ASCIA Conference, for which we are extremely grateful. This course was the culmination of 5 days filled with opportunities to learn and interact with colleagues.  The slides from this course are available on the members section of the ASCIA website: www.allergy.org.au/members/postgraduate-education 

The ASCIA 2016 conference included several innovations:

• Introduction of a conference app which included most of the posters
• ASCIA Nurses and Dietitians Updates were held on Friday, in parallel with conference sessions, to help make the time spent at the conference more efficient and cost effective for all delegates
• The ASCIA 2016 Gala Dinner included live music, a raffle and a silent auction, to raise funds for AIFA research grants - to access photos from this event and the conference go to www.allergy.org.au/members/ascia-2016-conference-photographs 

Thank you to the team at ICMSA for organising the logistics of the conference, as well as sponsors and exhibitors, who continue to provide ongoing support for ASCIA Annual Conferences and other ASCIA educational initiatives.

The main aim of ASCIA Annual Conferences is to provide an international standard of continuing professional development and opportunities to update knowledge for ASCIA members and other health professionals working in the areas of allergy and clinical immunology. We believe that this conference achieved this aim and exceeded expectations.

We look forward to welcoming you to the 28th ASCIA Conference next September in Auckland, New Zealand. 

ASCIA 2015 Conference Report

ASCIA 2015 Program Book5.11 MB 

26th ASCIA Annual Conference, Adelaide Convention Centre, 9-12 September 2015

Congratulations and thank you to Dr William Smith and Dr Anthony Smith for co-chairing this highly successful conference, which has received excellent feedback from delegates.

• International speakers - Professor Kirsten Beyer, Professor John Harley, Professor Gideon Lack and Professor Luigi Notarangelo.
• Local organising committee members - Dr Tatjana Banovic, Dr Damien Chan, Prof Robert Heddle, Dr Pravin Hissaria, Dr Tiffany Hughes, Dr Frank Kette, Merryn Netting, Dr Patrick Quinn and Deryn Thompson.
• Basten Orator - Prof Robert Heddle www.allergy.org.au/conferences/ascia-annual-conference/annual-ascia-basten-oration
• Other speakers and chairs - more than 80 speakers and chairs from Australasia participated in this conference.
• Delegates - there were more than 400 delegate registrations in addition to 100 exhibitor delegate registrations.
• Sponsors and exhibitors for their continued support of ASCIA Annual Conferences.
• Prof Katie Allen and her colleaugues for organising the Tuesday Symposium.
• ASCIA and ICMSA staff - Rikki, Michelle, Sandra, Rebecca, Helane, Georgia.

A total of 94 abstracts were submitted, comprising 78 posters and 16 clinical grand rounds. All abstracts are published online in the Internal Medicine Journal and this can be accessed via the ASCIA website: www.allergy.org.au/conferences/ascia-annual-conference/published-abstracts-ascia 

Congratulations to the poster and clinical grand rounds award winners - listed on the ASCIA website: www.allergy.org.au/health-professionals/awards-grants/ascia-award-grant-scholarship-recipients

Innovations to the program in 2015 included:

• Autoimmunity Update for advanced trainees and consultants on Saturday 12 September 2015 
• Satellite Symposium on Food, Allergy and Nutrition, Food, Allergy and Nutrition Symposium 2015 hosted by the Centre for Food and Allergy Research (CFAR) and the Centre for Research Excellence (CRE) in Foods for Future Australians on Tuesday 8 September 2015. 

The social program was well attended, including the Gala Dinner, held in the spectacular setting of the Adelaide Oval, a short walk across the bridge from the Adelaide Convention Centre. 

ASCIA 2014 Conference Report 

ASCIA 2014 Program Book6.57 MB

25th ASCIA Annual Conference, Melbourne Convention Centre, 10-13 September 2014

Jill Smith, ASCIA CEO

"This is the 25th ASCIA annual conference and we celebrate today those people who considered, 25 years ago, that the synergies from joining the Clinical Immunology Group of the Australasian Society for Immunology with the Australian College of Allergy were worth more than our differences.  With more than 400 delegates at this conference this shows that this is the case.

In welcoming you to this conference I suggest we are here to achieve the following 3 things:

1. Update on the clinical and scientific basis of our practice            Thank you in advance to our 4 international speakers, to CFAR for jointly sponsoring 2 of these speakers, and to local speakers who bring their work and passion to our conference.

2. Update on our local research                                                      This is the largest number of posters ever displayed and presented and I thank all of the authors for their efforts.

3. Celebrate our collegiality                                                                 Our annual conference is an opportunity to renew and refresh our relationships with our professional colleagues and industry partners in this dynamic environment.

Thank you to all for coming, welcome, and enjoy!"

Congratulations to the poster and clinical grand round (CGR) award winners, who are listed on the ASCIA website: www.allergy.org.au/health-professionals/awards-grants/ascia-award-grant-scholarship-recipients

All 111 abstracts that were submitted for posters and CGR cases are also published online, in the Internal Medicine Journal (IMJ): www.allergy.org.au/conferences/ascia-annual-conference/published-abstracts-ascia

I would also take this opportunity to thank all of the following:

International speakers - Prof Bobby Gaspar, Prof Robert Lemanske, A/Prof Kari Nadeau, A/Prof Wayne Shreffler.

Basten Orator - Prof James McCluskey   www.allergy.org.au/conferences/ascia-annual-conference/annual-ascia-basten-oration

Organising committee - Prof Katie Allen, Dr Sara Barnes, Dr Jeremy McComish, Vicki McWilliam, Dr Kate Nicholls, Prof Robyn O'Hehir, Dr Joanne Smart, Prof Mimi Tang, Dr Dean Tey, Leone Thiele.

Other speakers and chairs - 40 speakers and 44 chairs in total.

Delegates - 420 delegates in addition to 100 exhibitor delegates.

Sponsors and exhibitors - for their continued support of ASCIA annual conferences and other ASCIA educational initiatives.

ASCIA and ICMSA staff - Rikki, Michelle, Sandra, Rebecca, Helane.

Highlights of the ASCIA 2014 Annual Conference included:

• A total of 111 abstracts submitted, comprising 96 posters and 15 CGR cases - a record high.
• 90 oral poster presentations – another record high.
• A total of $24,000 AUD in awards for CGR/posters and travel scholarships – another record high.
• Popular social functions including the Gala Dinner, held at the Melbourne Aquarium.

 ASCIA 2013 Conference Report 

ASCIA 2013 Program Book 3.1 MB

24th ASCIA Annual Scientific Meeting, Perth Convention Centre, 10-14 September 2013

Congratulations and thank you to the ASCIA 2013 Chair, Dr Richard Nolan for coordinating a very successful meeting, both in terms of the scientific and social programs, which have received excellent feedback. Thank you also to the:

• Organising committee - Dr John Bandouvakis, Dr Christine Bundell, Rachael Dunn, A/Prof Peter Hollingsworth, Monica Kemp, A/Prof Richard Loh, Dr Andrew McLean-Tooke, Val Noble, Prof Elizabeth Phillips, Ingrid Roche, Prof Susan Prescott, Sandra Vale.
• International speakers - Prof Abul Abbas, Dr Linda Cox, Prof Josep Dalmau, Prof Raif Geha, Prof Ruby Pawankar, Prof Harald Renz.
• Basten Orator - Prof Susan Prescott www.allergy.org.au/conferences/ascia-annual-conference/annual-ascia-basten-oration
• Other speakers and chairs - 79 in total, comprising 37 speakers and 42 42 chairs from Australia and New Zealand, in addition to 40 presenters of posters (26) and  clinical grand round (cgr) cases (14). All ASCIA 2013 poster and cgr abstracts published in the online Internal Medicine Journal (IMJ) www.allergy.org.au/conferences/ascia-annual-conference/published-abstracts-ascia 
• Delegates - 352 delegates and 104 exhibitor delegates.
• Sponsors and exhibitors - for their continued support of ASCIA annual conferences and other ASCIA educational initiatives.
• ASCIA and ICMSA staff - Sandra, Michelle, Rebecca, Helane.

Highlights of ASCIA 2013 included:

• 6 Presidents of international or national allergy and/or immunology organisations (an Australasian first) with Prof Abul Abbas (FOCIS), Dr Linda Cox (AAAAI), Prof Connie Katelaris (APAAACI), A/Prof Richard Loh (ASCIA), Prof Ruby Pawankar (WAO) and Prof Harald Renz (GSACI) all involved in the conference.
• Postgraduate Immunology Course, run by Prof Abul Abbas, held for the 2nd time as part of an ASCIA conference.
• 37 speakers and 42 chairs from Australia and New Zealand (79 in total – a record high) and certificates of appreciation for all of these participants, in recognition of their valued contribution.
• 40 other oral presentations, with 26 posters and 14 clinical grand round cases presented and 64 posters submitted and displayed.
• A total of $20,000 AUD (another record) in poster and clinical grand round (cgr) awards and  travel scholarships,  comprising 9 awards (ranging from $1,000 -$1,500) and 20 advanced trainee travel scholarships of $500 each.  Congratulations to the award winners, who are also listed on the ASCIA website: www.allergy.org.au/health-professionals/awards-grants/ascia-award-grant-scholarship-recipients
• Extremely popular social functions on each evening from Wednesday to Friday. The ASCIA 2013 Gala Dinner was held at State Reception Centre, Fraser's restaurant, with magnificent views of the city and river from King's Park. 

ASCIA 2012 Conference Report

ASCIA 2012 Program Book 934.94 KB

23rd ASCIA Annual Scientific Meeting, Wellington Town Hall, 5-8 September 2012

Congratulations and thank you to the organising committee of ASCIA 2012; Dr Shannon Brothers, Dr Marianne Empson and Pauline Brown, led by the ASCIA 2012 Chair, Dr Miriam Hurst. Thank you also to the staff at ICMSA (Rebecca and Helane), ASCIA staff (Michelle and Sandra), all speakers and chairs, delegates, sponsors and exhibitors for their support of ASCIA 2012.

In particular we would like to thank our keynote international speakers, Professor Andrew Cant, Professor Ulrich Wahn, Dr Jorg Kleine-Tebbe and Professor Carlos Camargo for their informative and entertaining presentations throughout ASCIA 2012.

Feedback has been extremely positive, especially regarding the following highlights or innovations that were introduced at ASCIA 2012: 

• A larger than usual proportion of speakers and chairs were from Australia or New Zealand (55 out of a total of 60) and certificates of appreciation were given to all of these participants, in recognition of their valued contributions to ASCIA 2012.
• There were more opportunities for other delegates to present, with 31 poster presentations and 13 clinical grand rounds (CGR) presentations.
• A record total of $15,000 worth of awards and scholarships ($500 each) were provided to 30 recipients, comprising  2 CGR awards, 13 poster awards and 15 advanced trainee travel scholarships. Congratulations to the CGR and poster award winners, who are  listed on the ASCIA website: www.allergy.org.au/health-professionals/awards-grants/ascia-award-grant-scholarship-recipients
• There were more “Plenary” style sessions at ASCIA 2012, with 2 rather than 3 speakers, presenting for 40-45 minutes each.
• A PID Workshop (including 4 case studies) was held as an interactive breakfast session.
• An Update on ASCIA Education Resources was included for the first time.
• All ASCIA 2012 poster and CGR abstracts were published in the online Internal Medicine Journal (IMJ) a week before the meeting and not in the Program Book.  These abstracts can be accessed via the ASCIA website: www.allergy.org.au/conferences/ascia-annual-conference/published-abstracts-ascia
• The Immunopathology Update and Allergy/Immunology Update meetings were held concurrently on Saturday, with most of the exhibition remaining from Wednesday to Saturday.

ASCIA 2012 included very popular social functions on each evening from Wednesday to Friday and a traditional "Powhiri" welcome. The ASCIA 2012 Gala Dinner was held at the spectacular Te Papa Museum, a highlight of Wellington.

ASCIA 2011 Conference Report

ASCIA 2011 Program Book 1.11 MB

22nd ASCIA Annual Scientific Meeting, Sydney Convention Centre, 6-10 September 2011

Congratulations and thank you to the ASCIA 2011 Chair, Prof Connie Katelaris and members of the ASCIA 2011 organising committee, Prof Brad Frankum, Dr Preeti Joshi, Dr Karuna Keat, Dr Frederick Lee, Dr Brynn Wainstein and Pamela Burton.

Thank you also to all speakers and chairs, delegates, sponsors and exhibitors for their support of ASCIA 2011.

In particular we would like to thank our international speakers, Prof Abul Abbas (USA), Prof Pascal Demoly (France), Dr George Du Toit (UK), Prof Gunnar Johansson (Sweden), Dr Montserrat Fernandez-Rivas (Spain), Dr Steven Holland (USA), Dr Marc Riedl (USA) and Prof Yehuda Shoenfeld (Israel).  

The ASCIA 2011 scientific program included a record number of:

• 9 international speakers as well as more than 40 Australasian speakers and chairs.
• 75 posters and 9 Clinical Grand Round (CGR) presentations. All ASCIA 2011 poster and CGR abstracts have been published in the online Internal Medicine Journal (IMJ) and these can be accessed via the ASCIA webpage ASCIA Annual Scientific Meeting Abstracts 

Congratulations to the poster and CGR award winners, who are listed on ASCIA Awards and Grants.  Thank you to all the sponsors of these awards and travel scholarships for advanced trainees. 

For the first time in Australasia, a postgraduate immunology course was held as part of the meeting, expertly run by Prof Abul Abbas, who is the current (2011-2012) President of the Federation of Clinical Immunology Societies (FOCIS).  This course was very popular, with 82 delegates participating on the Saturday, after attending the 3 day ASCIA 2011 Annual Scientific Meeting. 

ASCIA 2011 included social functions on each evening from Tuesday to Friday. Highlights from these events included: 

• The outstanding performance at the ASCIA 2011 Welcome Function by The Ultrasounds, the choir of the School of Medicine at the University of Western Sydney.  
• The presentation Medicine and the Media by Dr John D'Arcy at the ASCIA 2011 Gala Dinner, held at the spectacular National Maritime Museum. 
• ASCIA 2011 photographs, expertly taken by Dr John Tan.