Due to continued concerns for the health and safety of all members, partners, volunteer leaders, staff and other stakeholders during the COVID-19 pandemic, ISRHML is announcing that the 2021 conference scheduled to take place in Stockholm, Sweden will now be held virtually. The dates for the reimagined 2021 conference will remain the week of August 16, 2021.

Throughout the pandemic, ISRHML has relied on public health guidance, country-by-country event restrictions and member input to gauge whether to move this major meeting to virtual. Given the current pace of COVID-19 vaccine roll-out and member comfort in participating tied to whether they are vaccinated, ISRHML concluded it’s not possible at this time to guarantee the success of an in-person, multi-day conference in mid-August for the ISRHML community. While this is disappointing—both for ISRHML and its members, and for our scheduled 2021 host Stockholm—we are shifting all efforts to ensure that this virtual conference delivers the best content and experiences possible for our many stakeholders.

The ISRHML community has already come together to create programs with outstanding science featuring emerging research and distinguished experts to create a stellar program for 2021.  The program planning committee is already working on the transformation of this meeting, and all the details on participating will be announced soon!  An important element of this overall process is the inclusion of outstanding and stimulating online program, interactive sessions, abstract sessions and a series of virtual engagements to be held during the meeting dates.  Information on those activities will be communicated as they become available.

The 2021 ISRHML Conference will be memorable for many reasons, but one tradition will remain, and that is the opportunity and ability of our community to come together with the common goal of engaging minds and empowering science.  Together we will continue to advance our understanding of the human milk and lactation and build a strong community.  We are grateful for you and your ongoing support. 

If you have already registered for the meeting, your registration will automatically be transitioned to registration for the virtual meeting, so no action is needed on your part.  If you booked a hotel room for the 2021 conference, you will be refunded minus a small service fee.  For those that have already committed to participating in the conference either as a speaker or a sponsor, we will be sending you directly information on next steps for your respective area so stay tuned!  If you have any questions about either of these, please contact Stefan Wengelin [email protected].   

Thank you for your understanding and for being part of the ISRHML community.  Stay tuned for a future email outlining registration information to attend the reconfigured 2021 ISRHML Virtual Conference!

Sincerely,

ISRHML Executive Office