On behalf of the Australian Pain Society Local Organising Committee and Scientific Program Committee, I am delighted to invite you to the Gold Coast for the 2019 Annual Scientific Meeting, 7 – 10 April 2019.
In 2018 we were challenged to Collaborate. Disseminate. Educate. The year 2019 invites a different posture, as we gather to extend the gains of 2018 while reflecting on The IASP Year Against Pain in the Most Vulnerable.
The Scientific Program Committee has curated a stellar cast of not-to-be-missed national and international speakers including: Professor Beth Darnall (Department of Anesthesiology, Stanford University: prevention of post surgical pain, targeted psychological strategies, opioid reduction); Dr Nanna Finnerup (Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University, Denmark: pathophysiology and therapy of neuropathic pain); and Professor Tor Wager (Cognitive and Affective Neuroscience laboratory, University of Colorado: neurophysiology of pain and emotion, affective learning, and brain-body communication).
The Gold Coast backdrop requires little introduction. Or does it? While I do invite you to bring you touristic fervour and indulge in the escape-to-weather, long beaches, and outdoor activities vying for a spot on your calendar, I also invite you to look deeper, such as towards the vibrant arts scene buzzing in April with the Bleach Arts Festival and newly built HOTA – Home Of The Arts facility (pronounced Hoe-ta not Hot-a). If I haven’t given you enough excuses for that extra day abroad, at least grab your morning brew from a beach-front café and kick start your conference in GC-style.
I look forward to seeing you all as we learn and share in 2019!
Dr Daniel Harvie
2019 Local Organising Committee Chair
NHMRC Early Career Research Fellow
Griffith University