Welcome TO QUEENSTOWN

I am delighted to launch the Australasian College of Sport and Exercise Physicians Annual Scientific Conference to be held in picturesque Queenstown, New Zealand, from February 8-10, 2019. Once again, the College has convened a world class faculty of pre-eminent international and local expert keynote speakers in Sport and Exercise Medicine including Professor Claude Bouchard, Dr Lindsay Hall, Dr Kimberly Harmon and Professor Jiri Dvorák. The 2019 program will explore Genetics, Gut Biohme, Cardiology, Injury Prevention, Osteoarthritis, Concussion and many more exciting topics.

The scientific conference offers a broad range of stream and workshop options. These include but are not limited to regional musculoskeletal issues; advances in Sports Cardiology; WADA & NADO updates; Doctors Mental Health; Professional Development; Cultural Safety and an exploration of the more obscure range of sports and associated injuries. Our highly popular Management of Sporting Trauma (MOST) and Musculoskeletal Ultrasound for Sport and Exercise Physicians Course will also be offered in the two days following the Scientific Conference. 

This is a unique opportunity for the Global Sport and Exercise Medicine community; Sport and Exercise Physicians, Sports Doctors, General Practitioners, Registrars, Medical Students and other specialties to meet face to face in the ideal environment that Queenstown provides. 

The Scientific Program will again be preceded by the ACSEP Registrar conference from February 6-7 and will have a diverse social and activity program. During the Scientific Conference activity afternoon on Saturday the 9th, delegates can choose between golf on the lakeside course looking into the sheer mountains surrounding Queenstown, or can try mountain bike riding, jetboating on the Shotover or even try bungee jumping nearby, or simply relax with a glass of wine with colleagues or family in one of the many world class wineries of the region. Welcome drinks with an adventure sports theme will again kick off proceedings on the Friday evening with the formal Annual Gala Dinner on the Saturday welcoming our new Fellows to the College and rewarding those who contribute so much to our College.

A record number of domestic and international delegates and exhibitors made our 2018 High Performance Medicine Scientific Conference on the Gold Coast in Australia the biggest and best Conference ACSEP had hosted. I am confident that our 2019 Queenstown Conference will top this and leave all delegates with many wonderful practice pearls, memories, new friends, and even an adrenaline rush! 

I look forward to welcoming you to the magnificent lakeside adventure town of Queenstown in February 2019.

Dr Adam Castricum
ACSEP President