Dear Colleagues and Friends,

Ten years ago we were ready to have our 6th Annual Budapest Conference when the news of 9/11 changed the world through terror that was so unnecessary. It seems the world has lost a great deal of innocence. The first thought on that Tuesday morning was that we had to cancel the conference scheduled for September 16-19, 2001. I was already in Budapest in the organizing days of the conference. But, under pressure from the news, I felt the decision could not be made that day and I would make a decision in two days. The following morning, on Wednesday, the world looked so bad that I would have been ready to cancel except that I had made the decision to wait two days. On that second day, Thursday, September 13, I woke up more determined that no terrorist will prevent us from our mission and sent the word out that we are not canceling our meeting. It was truly amazing that the lecturers came through sheer determination and difficulties of travel, not to be prevented from our mission of becoming better physicians. We came from all over Europe and North America, South America, the Middle East and Far East to participate. The participation of our German, British and Spanish colleagues was heart-warming love. Because of their drive, the individuals who have been to Budapest have gotten better and are today making major impact in their local societies, resulting in making patients better.

The fact is clear that physicians who are better trained in the technical procedures are providing better patient care around the world. Over the years we have not only learned how to do procedures but more importantly how to teach them. This year’s tenth anniversary since 9/11 makes us even more determined to become better. I am grateful to every one of you who have become Fellows of Interventional Pain Practice (FIPP). We now have 630 FIPPs worldwide. I especially congratulate the Hungarian section for meeting the required numbers to be a Section. Our local arrangement chairperson, Dr. Edit Racz, has been relentless in her determination to find x-ray machines for us when we needed them, also for going annually to the Ethics Committee in Budapest to represent the Interventional Pain Conference and get permission for us to do our practice sessions. We are grateful for the opportunity that has been awarded us during these years and especially grateful for the permission of Semmelweis University Medical School and the cooperation of all of faculty and staff for use of their facilities.

The leadership of WIP Past President, Dr. Serdar Erdine, MD, FIPP, has been remarkable in bringing more open organizational structure to WIP. The spiritual father of WIP, Prithvi Raj, MD, FIPP, is forever present and it is no small achievement of his to have come up with full tax-exempt approval of the World Institute of Pain Foundation as a charitable organization. We already have our physicians channeling individual patient contributions to the Foundation so that we may help others. The future of the WIP Foundation will bring notable and unimaginable support to deserving people around the world.

The Budapest Conference has always focused on practical and clinically-relevant material. We are interested in safety and efficacy. New and effective pain treatment modalities will be brought to the participants in a setting of morning lectures and afternoon practice of the procedures under expert guidance.

The WIP World Congress this year had to be canceled in Seoul, Korea because of traveling concerns for so many would-be participants. The Congress is rescheduled to February 4-6, 2012 in Miami Beach, Florida. Please remember this date, a unique opportunity to meet old friends and make new ones, as well as keep abreast of the very latest in our field of study.

Our WIP journal Pain Practice is moving forward with greater and better acceptance and relevance. The Journal will publish the awards for Centers of Excellence. Keep in mind to get your center positioned for this highly coveted award.

The Budapest Conference organizational committee is working hard to make this an outstanding conference again, and we are going to make sure that 2011 will be another memorable experience and conference. Budapest is one of the most beautiful cities in the world. The city is changing for the better. The air is cleaner. The food is outstanding, and the music is fitting for the occasion for you to be a participant in our annual reunion in Budapest.

I have to thank our sponsors that make this annual educational and learning opportunity possible. Our mission simply would not have been possible without the loyal and continuing support of our sponsors. We could not have come this far in such few years. I ask you to note those who sponsor us and make every effort to them.

Please remember that we are not competing with other groups or societies as we all belong to multiple societies. We exist purely because there is a need for activities. Our patients need us to learn in order to improve care we provide them. The WIP is firmly committed to those who wish to teach and those who wish to learn so we can help our patients. Pain knows no boundaries. People in every country need pain doctors who can help them and make the quality of life better worldwide.

In Hungary, we shall watch and listen to the most beautiful starry-eyed children of the Hungarian Folk Dance Group who will show us how dancing should be done. You will be better, and you will make us better by your participation, and your patients will know the difference because your ability will improve through participation. Welcome to Budapest.

Gabor B. Racz, MD, FIPP Director Budapest Conference Past President World Institute of Pain Co-Director Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, Texas	Ricardo Ruiz-Lopez, MD, FIPP President World Institute of Pain Director Traramiento del Dolor Clinica del Dolor de Barcelona