BAUS 2015 Manchester

It is a very real pleasure to welcome you all to Manchester for the 71st annual scientific meeting of the British Association of Urological Surgeons.

Manchester is now a vibrant dynamic city with much to offer beyond the meeting itself, including the worldclass Hallé orchestra at the Bridgewater Hall, top class art galleries, a world class cycling velodrome and two reasonably well‐known football clubs!

I have to thank Frank Keeley, our Honorary Secretary, for putting together an exceptional scientific programme. The Academic, Andrology (AGUS) and Female (FNUU) Sections are holding their annual meetings on the Monday 15 June and the Oncology and Endourology Sections are contributing significantly to the scientific content as well. Duncan Summerton, our Honorary Secretary Elect, has produced an excellent programme of Teaching and Skills Courses with the introduction of several new courses this year.

We are fortunate, again, to have attracted a significant number of world‐leading urologists from around the globe. This includes a number of Presidents and leaders of other national Urological Associations. The aim is to give you, the delegates, a comprehensive overview of the latest in global urology. Thursday in particular is a strong day with sessions presented by the International British Urology Society, the BJU International and also by the AUA. Please, therefore, use the whole Meeting to achieve your continuing professional development.

The Welcome Reception will be held in the Exhibition Hall at 1800 on Monday 15 June and will provide an additional opportunity to visit the exhibition stands. On Monday 15 June we have been lucky enough to secure 2 hours at the cycling velodrome (2000–2200). The main social event is on Wednesday 17 June and is a traditional BAUS dinner, which will be held in the Manchester Town Hall (pictured right) in Albert Square. This is one of the iconic landmark, Grade 1 listed, buildings in England; one of the finest examples of Neo‐Gothic architecture in the UK. It will be a great chance to catch up with friends and colleagues.

I would also like to express my thanks to our colleagues from the pharmaceutical and equipment companies for their very generous support of BAUS at the Annual Meeting and throughout the year. I hope, therefore, you will show your appreciation by visiting their stands in the Exhibition Hall during the week. We have scheduled times into the programme to allow you to visit the exhibition.

Finally, I would like to offer my special thanks to the Organising Committee, the BAUS Section Chairmen, Secretaries and Committee Members, our Abstract Reviewers and, in particular, Frank Keeley, the staff in the BAUS Office (especially Hannah Doyle – Events Manager, Freya Gosling – Events Assistant and Harry Heald – Events Assistant) and Bob Tolley (Exhibition Manager) for the enormous amount of work that they have put into planning this meeting.

I look forward to seeing you all at the meeting ...