WAO & BSACI 2022 UK Conference round up

WAO & BSACI Conference 2022: Four decades in the making

Dr George Gkimpas

Consultant Allergist, Royal Preston Hospital WAO & BSACI 2022 Conference Scientific Program Co-Lead

As we leave the WAO & BSACI 2022 UK conference behind us, we can now reflect on what has been a highly successful event, taking place not long after the epicentre of the COVID pandemic. It was a challenging task to deliver the first WAO conference in the United Kingdom after four decades, and looking back we are delighted that it was, indeed, an experience to remember. The conference highlighted the allergy field on a global scale and endorsed innovation. It also focused on the effect of the environment and climate on allergy, as the new decade presents us with several global challenges from these viewpoints. As it was fitting for a WAO conference, we focused on collaborations and joint sessions with international societies, opening with the European Academy of Allergy and Clinical Immunology (EAACI), continuing with the American Academy of Allergy Asthma and Immunology (AAAAI), and closing with the Japanese Society of Allergology (JSA). We further highlighted the importance of input from all parts of society by offering a platform to key UK charities, the Anaphylaxis Campaign, Allergy UK and the Natasha Allergy Research Foundation (NARF), to discuss updates in informing and protecting the allergic public. There were also several informative workshops where practical

The exhibition area was well attended issues of our everyday practice were highlighted in an engaging, hands-on environment.

The conference, as expected for any BSACI event, provided a platform to British and international speakers of global calibre to deliver high-quality talks for all issues around Allergy & Immunology. In the opening plenary, Professor Graham Roberts, BSACI President, Professor Motohiro Ebisawa, WAO President and Professor Nikolaos Papadopoulos, EAACI Past President, set the stage with comprehensive talks. The program featured throughout several sessions that highlighted the effect of environment on allergy, culminating in the ‘Plenary of Environmental Exposures’ where Professor Sir Stephen Holgate and Professor Jurgen Schwarze delivered influential keynote lectures on the effect of pollution, the climate, helminths and viruses on allergy. The conference closed with a ‘Year in Review’ session supported by WAO, BSACI, and our sister societies, which celebrated the strong bonds that bind us. In what was a once-in-a-lifetime session, current, past and elect Presidents of WAO, BSACI, EAACI, AAAAI and JSA joined together to Chair and speak on this year’s advances and breakthroughs in the field.

The combined expertise of BSACI and WAO alongside the support of our sister societies, empowered us to deliver a conference that was one of the scientific highlights of 2022, as also demonstrated by the highly positive feedback we

The conference was attended by 840 delegates, speakers and exhibitors from all around the globe

Delegates from all over the world attended the event

Professor Graham Roberts and Dr Pamela Ewan who was recognised for her serivce to UK Allergy Allergy testing at the conference

received from our delegates. The program, which featured several exciting sessions for clinicians, scientists and allied health professionals alike, was highly appreciated by those in attendance. The exhibition area was very well-attended during breaks, and the ‘Speakers’ Corner’ talks received fantastic feedback and captured the interest of delegates in-between sessions. Medivents, who organised the conference, delivered an immaculate event in the face of several challenges. But over and above everything else, it was the delegates from all over the world that made this event a success, and it is our hope that they all travelled back home with great memories that will stay with them for years to come. Historic Edinburgh welcomed people from hundreds of countries, and we are hopeful that, alongside attending the sessions, everybody took the opportunity to tour the famous Edinburgh Castle, take in the sights of the city, or play a round of golf!

As we now move forward, I am delighted to leave the preparation of the next BSACI 2023 conference in the capable hands of Dr Nandinee Patel and Dr Natasha Gunawardana, who take over as Scientific Programme co-leads, and who will no doubt deliver a remarkable event that will push even further the boundaries of what we can expect as a society from our Annual Conference. I wish them all the best with this challenging but highly rewarding task. I want to thank everybody in the BSACI and WAO teams for their fantastic support in this journey through the last two events; I am hoping to see each and every one of you face-to-face at BSACI 2023!

“I’m Alina Pokryshko, pediatric allergist from Ukraine. First and foremost, I want to thank you for the great opportunity to attend the WAO & BSACI 2022 UK Conference. WAO & BSACI are ready to support young medical practitioners if they are in a difficult situation. Due to Russian invasion in Ukraine, I was financially unable to join the conference. WAO & BSACI accepted me as a junior member, and even provided funding to pay for the costs relating to attending the conference, for which I can’t thank them enough! The WAO & BSACI 2022 UK Conference was an amazing event with precious insights and impeccable organization. Participants of the event brought valuable professional experience, new connections and refreshed friendships. I will return to Ukraine with a practical knowledge and skills to use in the clinic I work in. It was a great honor for me to meet with highly professional allergists. That really inspired me to continue growing and developing as an allergy specialist further. Many thanks to the team for putting in all this effort, no event can be so successful without people dedicating their resources and time to make sure everything is faultless. Thank you very much for this experience, I highly appreciate it!” Alina Pokryshko, Pediatric Allergist

First joint UK conference in 40 years a great success

It was a pleasure to host the WAO & BSACI UK Conference in the beautiful historic city of Edinburgh. The UK last hosted a World Allergy Organization (WAO) conference in 1982, so the conference was a key opportunity to meet and learn from colleagues from all around the world. knowledge base and lead to improved quality of life for allergy patients around the world. WAO was delighted to be able to give financial support to 8 international delegates through the Abstract Award Scheme to help with travel, registration and accommodation costs to attend the WAO & BSACI UK Conference.

We would like to thank delegates for traveling across the globe to join us. We hope everyone who attended found the conference a rewarding experience and enjoyed the opportunity to network with colleagues from around the world. On behalf of WAO, I would like to thank and congratulate BSACI. We look forward to working together in the future. Professor Motohiro Ebisawa President, World Allergy Organization

WAO was proud to host its first in-person international conference since the pandemic began as a partnership with BSACI. WAO international conferences are at the heart of the organization’s mission to be a global resource and advocate in the field of allergy, advancing excellence in clinical care through education, research and training. As a result of this successful collaboration, global experts in allergy and other related fields gathered in the charming city of Edinburgh to exchange ideas and present new research that will deepen the professions

BSACI Medical Scholarships Scheme 2022

Due to the increasing prevalence of allergy within the UK population and the shortage of allergy expertise to treat the increasing allergic population, BSACI offers Medical Scholarships to encourage medical students and foundation doctors to consider this diverse and growing specialty as a career. We were pleased to offer financial support to medical scholars by providing funding to pay for costs relating to attendance at the WAO & BSACI joint 2022 conference. The interest in medical scholarships this year was huge with 22 scholarships awarded! The Medical Scholarships Scheme is open to FY2 doctors, IMT and paediatric ST1-3 trainees in the UK, to encourage those who have an interest in a career in allergic diseases to apply. It is a fantastic opportunity for junior doctors to see what a career in Allergy and Clinical Immunology looks like and how rewarding being a member of the UK allergy community can be.

“I was fortunate to participate in BSACI Medical

Scholarship Scheme as an Internal Medicine

Trainee in 2021. This scheme enabled me to attend the BSACI Annual Conference in

Harrogate, where I enjoyed excellent talks and connected with like-minded colleagues. I would definitely recommend it to any other interested trainees!” Dr Joseph Jayasundera Medical

Scholarship recipient 2021

“Becoming a medical scholar has proved invaluable to my developing career in allergy and clinical immunology. It provided a huge boost to my specialty training application, and introduced me to many wonderful colleagues with whom I am proud to work with to this day. I now eagerly look forward to the annual BSACI conference as a highlight of my professional calendar.“ Robbie

Yellan, Medical Scholarship recipient 2019 BSACI will be offering Medical Scholarships for our 2023 conference. If you know of any medical trainees that are interested in a career in allergy please spread the word. Details will be sent to members closer to the time.

WAO & BSACI Abstract Award Scheme 2022

BSACI and WAO were pleased to offer the Abstract Award Scheme this year. The Abstract Award Scheme gives delegates who submit abstracts the opportunity of applying for support for travel, registration and accommodation for the conference. There were two categories for applying, either UK or international (including Europe). There were 16 UK awards and 8 international awards. For UK awards, allocation in this category was restricted to accepted abstracts from trainees, undergraduate students, nurses and allied health professionals and awards allocated on the grounds of those perceived to be in most financial need or having incurred the greatest expense to attend the conference. International awards were open to Junior members of a WAO Member Society working in the field of allergy/clinical immunology, under 35 years of age or within 5 years of a training program in allergy, asthma, clinical immunology or related field. Awards were allocated based on the quality of the abstract, location and perceived need of the applicant.