iwCLL 2013: Live from Cologne: The Opening Ceremony and Reception

Let me just say that this is going to an amazing conference. An Cologne is old worldly and charming, though vegan food will be a challenge. I am hoping I can find some time to wander the cobblestone streets and visit the Gothic cathedral. It was the tallest building in the word until the Eiffel tower was erected. And it took over 600 years to complete, started in the 1200s.
This is going to be a small but very concentrated conference on one subject only: CLL.
How concentrated?
In one row, attending the opening ceremony was Peter Hillmen, Kanti Rai, Carlos Croce, and Tom Kipps.
Talk about the who's who.
I heard about when to stop FCR (maybe sooner than 6 courses in MRD negative), epigenetics and some surprising and competing theories on clonal evolution, immune therapies, patient friendly clinical trial and this was all at the reception and opening ceremonies, which is not the scientific part of the meeting.
I got to get some sleep for a big day tomorrow.

 Michael Hallek Welcoming US to iwCLL 2013

 Professor Hallek and me

The reception (no vegan snacks, but I did enjoy a taste of the local beer, made only in Cologne)