BAUS 2012 Glasgow

On behalf of the Council of The British Association of Urological Surgeons, I am delighted to welcome you to our Annual Scientific Meeting. This year's programme features leaders in Urology from the UK and around the world whose contribution makes this meeting so valued. A key feature of our meeting is the level of interaction it allows between speakers and delegates so BAUS has made a positive effort to incorporate many leading overseas urologists into the programme.

We are again delighted that the Sections of Academic Urology, Andrology & Genito‐Urethral Surgery and Female, Neurological & Urodynamic Urology will be holding their respective Annual Meetings on Monday 25 June. Following the success of previous years, the Sections have had a major influence on the Programme Committee in developing the scientific sessions for the rest of the week. The aim is to give, you, the delegates a comprehensive overview of the latest in Urology.

I am also very pleased to incorporate into the programme a very fitting tribute to John Fitzpatrick (Editor‐in‐Chief, BJU International). The BJU International will host a session on Thursday morning which will feature a panel of international urologists of renown. The BJU International has grown exponentially under John's editorial guidance and it is highly appropriate that BAUS recognises his enormous contribution to the Journal and its international profile.

Tamsin Greenwell, Director of the BAUS Office of Education, has produced an excellent programme of Teaching and Skills Courses with the introduction of many new skills courses this year. Places are limited, please see the registration desk for more details.

The Welcome Reception will be held in the Exhibition Hall at 18:00hr on Monday 25 June and will provide an additional opportunity to visit the exhibition stands. Included in the registration fee for this year's meeting is the main social event on Wednesday 27 June – a visit to the newly opened Riverside Museum (pictured right), Scotland's museum for transport and travel. We will have exclusive use of this award winning venue where delegates can enjoy drinks and canapés in relaxed surroundings.

I would also particularly like to express our appreciation for the very generous support the Association receives for the Annual Meeting (as well as our activities more widely) from the pharmaceutical and equipment industries. I hope you will show your appreciation by visiting the stands in the Exhibition Hall during the week. We have, once again, scheduled times in to the programme to allow you to spend time visiting the exhibition.

In closing I would like to offer my especial thanks to the Organising Committee, the BAUS Section Chairmen, Secretaries and Committee Members, our Abstract Reviewers and, in particular, Andy Thorpe (Honorary Secretary), the staff in the BAUS Office and Bob Tolley (Exhibition Manager) for the enormous amount of work that has gone into planning this meeting.

I hope you enjoy the meeting ...