Dear Colleagues and Friends,

Several weeks have passed since the end of the 49^th SIOP Congress in Washington, DC, yet the excitement of the scientific presentations, exchange of ideas, and promise for new collaborations has not dissipated.  I am pleased to report that the meeting was a fantastic success, with numerous highlights including:

• Attendance of nearly 2000 delegates from 80 different countries
• A stimulating and comprehensive Education Day, with well-attended tracks put together by the Local Organizing Committee, Pediatric Oncology in Developing Countries (PODC), the SIOP Nursing Committee and Supportive Care Working Group, the International Society of Paediatric Surgical Oncology (IPSO), Childhood Cancer International (CCI) and Young Investigators Committee.
• Presentation of Lifetime Achievement Awards to Professors Audrey Evans, Giulio D’Angio, and Hans Peter Wagner
• 8 Keynote Talks, 10 Symposia, and 7 Meet-the-Expert sessions, along with more than two dozen oral free paper sessions and a late-breaking abstract session
• The 2^nd Annual St. Baldrick’s-SIOP Robert J. Arceci Symposium, Immunotherapy in Paediatric Cancer: New Developments and Therapeutic Opportunities
• A sold-out Networking Gala at the Newseum

I wish to thank the members of the Local Organizing Committee, Steve Hunger and the Scientific Committee, Eric Bouffet and the SIOP Board, Perry Gil-Ran and Kenes International for their skillful conference organization, my colleagues at Children’s National Medical Center for their support, and the delegates who traveled to Washington to bring the meeting to life.

And now I’m pleased to pass the Local Organizing torch to the excellent hands of Professor Akira Nakagawara, who is off to a terrific start planning the 50^th SIOP Congress in Kyoto.  See you then!

Warmest Regards,

Jeffrey S. Dome, MD PhD

Chair, 2017 Local Organizing Committee