Report on the 14TH ICDMFR Florianópolis

Dear Colleagues,

BY the time you receive the present Newsletter I hope you have already received the “Preliminary Program and Call for Papers of the 14th ICDMFR, to be held in Florianopolis, Brasil, from 19-23 May, 2003. The organization of the Congress is going well. A rich scientific program for the Pre-Congress and Congress, with 11 special lectures, 2 symposiums, approximately 17 conferences, 43 oral presentations, and poster presentations has been planned for you. Speakers of renowned knowledge in our field have been invited. They are: Rejane Ribeiro-Rotta (Brasil), Dale Miles (USA), Marcelo Cavalcanti (Brasil), Allan Farman (USA), Tohru Kurabayashi (Japan), Neil Frederiksen (USA), Eric Whaites (UK), Ann Wenzel (Denmark), Jackie Brown (UK), Christina Lindh (Sweden), Izabel Rubira (Brasil) and Jaime Valenzuela (Chile). Presentations will address a variety of topics from digital radiology to advanced imaging interpretation.

Delegates are encouraged to contribute to the Congress by submitting abstracts (oral presentations, posters or conferences), instructions for which are available on the website of the 14th ICDMFR and also in the Preliminary Program and Call for Papers. The deadline to submit abstracts is 15 January, 2003.
Registration fees are very attractive: US$ 200.00 for the Congress and US$60.00 for the Pre-Congress (for IADMFR members), and this including the banquet! These figures will be maintained until 31 December, 2002. After that, they will be increased in 10%.

Arrangements with local hotels, situated nearby the Convention Center, have been made to provide you with different options to choose from as accommodation is concerned. Hotel rates will vary from approximately US$45.00 to US$73.00 (for a double bedroom), being subject to changes without prior notice. Final rates should be confirmed at reservation because of recent fluctuations in the Brazilian currency – the Real. The “Intercity Hotel” has been selected the official hotel of the 14th ICDMFR. The tour program includes a variety of attractions ranging from a sailing tour around the bay in Florianopolis to visits to nearby cities. Hotel reservations, optional tours and car rental will be all administered by the official travel agency of the Congress – BBTurismo. (Please note that the fax number of the travel agency is +55 (48) 322-0460 and not 322-0469, as accidentally mistyped in the Preliminary Program).

A total of 31 companies have leased all of the 68 stands of the Commercial Exhibition, an area of more than 1000 square meters located in the center of the Congress activities.

Our website is being constantly updated, so please remember to check it from time to time to be aware of the news. See the pictures of Florianopolis and fulfill your wish coming to the event.
We are all waiting for you in Florianopolis next May. Please pass this information on to your colleagues and let us know of people who have not received the Preliminary Program and Call for Papers who may be interested in the Congress.

Best wishes from Brasil.
Murillo Abreu Jr. Chairman Organizing Committee, 14th ICDMFR