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,

Content updated October 2022