As president of the Organizing Committee that works hard for the success of ICN 2010, I want to give you a brief insight into the background and state of the organisation of this major scientific event for neuropathologists and researchers from neighbouring disciplines.

The timetable of the scientific program is depicted at this website and indicates topics that span the whole range of areas of interest for neuropathologists. As we wanted to keep the amount of parallel sessions to a minimum, only non-parallel events are scheduled for the mornings. The program structure of each day starts with an early Plenary Lecture followed by a Symposium, both providing the state-of-the-art and an outlook to the future. Even those who specialise in specific areas of neuropathology should be fascinated by, and potentially profit from, what is going on elsewhere in neuro-oncology, inflammation and infections, myopathology, or developmental neuroscience. After the noon break with poster viewing, three parallel Workshops on specific themes will be followed each day by about four parallel poster discussions. On subsequent days, there are topical “streams of interest” for parallel workshops, meaning that every day those interested in surgical neuropathology, neurodegeneration, or methodological and research issues, will have a respective event. The first day excels as a joint session with PRION2010, with a Plenary Lecture on inflammation in neurodegeneration, a Symposium on key mechanisms in neurodegeneration, and another on disease typing in dementias, followed by a unique “musical” Key Note Lecture appropriate to Salzburg. While Salzburg well deserves to take one or the other day off the track, we tried our best not to give you an excuse for that in the program.

The Call for Abstracts and the Registration tool were implemented on the website in February. Abstracts are primarily for poster presentations and may derive from the full spectrum of neuropathology and neighbouring fields. We are sensitive to the need to have as much appreciation of poster presentations as possible. Thus the very best abstracts selected by the program committee will have the opportunity to be presented not only as poster, but also as a short oral communication if the submitter wishes so. Moreover, there will be a few slots available for a final “Hot Topics Session” that will be filled by submissions only a few weeks before ICN2010.

A great problem encountered in organising ICN2010 was to foresee the potential impact of the global economic crisis on attendance and sponsorship. Comparison with previous ICNs is compromised by then different economic situations. It is clear that the most crucial factor for budgeting is to prudently set the registration fee that, if too high, might limit attendance, and if too low, might lead to financial disaster. We decided to design ICN 2010 as a low-budget, non-profit event, in order to keep costs for attendees as affordable as possible, in particular for young scientists, students and trainees and those from economically disadvantaged countries. It is worth mentioning that some speakers favourably took up our low-cost position and generously agreed to cover some of their costs by themselves. Despite the financial constraints, we are now very proud in having been successful in putting up a top-class, cutting edge scientific program with a faculty of most distinguished Plenary Lecture, Symposia and Workshop speakers embedded in an affordable environment of ICN2010.

The preceding yearly top scientific event of prion science, PRION2010 (www.PRION2010.org), Sept. 8-11, 2010, at the very same site as ICN2010 will not only enable a highly exciting joint session on Sept. 11, but also allow for the unique opportunity to get in-depth information in two complementary scientific areas during one full week. We will offer reduced registration fees for attendees of both congresses.

Salzburg was founded in the 8th century and its contemporary Old City represents one of the most complete baroque ensembles of churches, palaces and buildings in the world. Due to this, the whole centre of the city was placed on UNESCO´s list of cultural and natural world´s heritage in 1997. Salzburg is located in most beautiful surroundings, with a spectacular panorama of marvellous lakes, lush meadows and forests set against a background of Alpine peaks. In 1756, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Salzburg´s greatest son, was born here. Starting 75 years ago, the famous Salzburg Festival offers music and drama of highest quality to more than 200.000 spectators every summer. Also one of the most successful movies of all times, “The Sound of Music“, contributed to Salzburg’s prestige as one of the musical capitals of the world. Salzburg’s culinary delights are legendary and include not only an artful melange of hefty Alpine fare with sophisticated dishes, but also famous desserts like “Salzburger Nockerln“ that – because of the potential worries in their creation – may become a chef’s nightmare. You will get more detailed touristic information, bookings etc. through the ICN website.

As Salzburg is attractive in so many aspects, we had to find most attractive spots for the social program. The Welcome Party will be included with the registration and takes place at the congress site. In addition, the Governor of the Province and the Mayor of the city of Salzburg invite all registrants to a special evening Concert Reception at Mirabell Palace. The Gala Dinner has to be booked extra and will be held at a spectacular location above the baroque roofs and cupolas of Salzburg.

Salzburg has a total of 127 hotels from category 5* to 1*, with around 10.000 beds. Consequently the price range for one night varies from around € 40 to some € 300 or more per person. For young researchers on a budget, we have reserved a slot of rooms at youth hostels at very low prices.

The majority of the Salzburg hotels are centrally located in and around the Old City or in close proximity to the Mirabell Palace and the Congress Centre, which means that congress delegates will have accommodations within walking distance of the Congress Centre. This is one more reason why ICN2010 will be spectacular: You can enjoy top-class science in a cosy and relaxed atmosphere, in a unique cultural setting, benefiting from all modern facilities at affordable costs without the need of nasty commuting.

At the end of this background information, I encourage you to contact me or other members of the organizers if you have any problem or suggestion connected with ICN 2010, in order to help us to ensure it as a real success.

Herbert Budka
President ICN 2010