Dr. Omer Kalayci - Secretary General
Hacettepe University School of Medicine
Pediatric Allergy & Asthma Unit
TR-06100 ANKARA
Turkey
Tel: +90-312-305 17 00
Fax: +90-312-311 23 57
E-mail: okalayci@hacettepe.edu.tr





1.    How successful is this year’s 30th EAACI Congress in Istanbul compared to previous EAACI Congresses?

EAACI congresses have always attempted to be the most important event in of the year in the field of allergy. Looking back, it seems to me that each congress has achieved this goal.

2.     How difficult was the task of organizing EAACI 2011?

I must admit that this is not an easy task. There are scientific and social aspects to consider. Scientifically, it has been difficult to choose from a growing list of excellent topics and speakers. Some of the very good suggestions had to be left out in the course of the scientific preparations.
Since I am hardly an expert in the field of social issues, organizing the social program has been more challenging when one talks about hosting a crowd of 8000 people.
However, working with an excellent group of people in the scientific, social and logistic issues has made life relatively easy.

3.    What were the experiences you earned from your involvement as the Chair of the Organizing Committee?

This is a huge undertaking. The most important issue is recognizing the importance of team work and working with the correct people who can devote their time and energy to the success of the organization.
Really big problems may arise in the course of the preparations. I learned that these can be solved with thinking and negotiations. Once a group of people with total devotion and good intentions who work for the success of an event get together, the outcome will eventually be good.