On behalf of the European Federation of Cytology Societies (EFCS) and the Spanish Society of Cytology (SEC), I am honoured to invite you to the 41st European Congress of Cytology, to be held in Madrid, Spain, from 10-13th of June 2018. This ECC meeting intends to turn into a fruitful and stimulating encounter for professionals in the field of cytology, from all Europe and beyond. It will be an opportunity to share and communicate scientific advances, as well as to meet friends in a lively city with a well-known cultural and artistic ensemble.

The scientific programme will address traditional as well as challenging innovative aspects of cytopathology and interactive methodologies. It will include symposia covering morphology, new disease classifications, reporting guidelines, cervical cancer screening programmes, HPV assessment, molecular techniques and targeted therapies, quality assurance, technical and formative aspects in cytotechnology and cytopathology. It will also feature slide seminars and practical microscopic and non-microscopic workshops, video microscopy tutorials and roundtable discussions to promote debates. This program, together with the information shared through poster and platform presentations, will help us to update cytopathologists and cytotechnologists on the current practice of cytopathology.

Commercial stands will be placed in a large hall shared by refreshment break meeting points. Industry-fostered luncheon seminars will round up the programme.

In consonance with a positive environmental effort, we will embrace a paperless philosophy for the upcoming meeting and no handouts will be distributed on-site!. However, all information will be electronically available online prior to the meeting. For a period of time, most session materials and images will also be electronically available for the attendees after the meeting. Impressed copies of the handout will be ready upon request of the attendees.

Language simultaneous translation will be available for Spanish-speaking attendees.

The venue, Hotel Meliá Castilla, one of the largest hotels in Europe, is strategically located in the city center with excellent access to and from any part of the city. It is placed next to Paseo de la Castellana, the Real Madrid football stadium and the Golden Mile.

Madrid, a sunny and renowned cultural city, hosts some of the best museums of the continent and is worldwide known for its gastronomy and its vibrant nightlife. Nearby historical towns (Toledo, Segovia, Ávila, El Escorial) will complete your stay.

I look forward to meeting you in Madrid, and to enjoy together this exciting event.

Welcome to the 41st ECC meeting!