WELCOME MESSAGE

Welcome Remarks from IMS President/Congress President and SPC Chair

As current President of the International Meningioma Society (IMS), it has been my distinct privilege and pleasure to organize this unique Joint Congress between the IMS and the International Rhoton Society (iRS) in Houston,Texas, 17-20 November, 2026. This will be the 14th IMS Congress and the 5th iRS Congress.

On behalf of my spectacular organizing team in the Department of Neurosurgery at UTHealth Houston, iRS President Wen Hung Tzu and the entire iRS Board, I welcome you all to Houston: faculty, presenters, students, participants and industry partners. I thank each and everyone of you for making this congress, through your presence, an enormous success. We cannot wait to share with you the scientific program and social events that we have carefully crafted over the last year.

Dr Nickalus Khan, Chair of the Scientific Program Committee (SPC), with the help of the 25 members of the SPC, has designed a first-class program. In the tradition of past meetings of the IMS and the iRS, topics will include state of the art presentations about meningiomas, both cranial and spinal, from molecular genetics, to surgical approaches and outcomes, as well as comprehensive presentations on the entire field of neuroanatomy, in the Rhoton-esque tradition, including applied surgical neuroanatomy for cranial, spine and peripheral nerves. In essence, as is evident from the enclosed program, all neurosurgical subspecialties are very well represented.

The scientific program is spread over 4 full days and 95 hours of education, with at most 3 concurrent sessions. There are 4 exciting Plenary sessions featuring world renowned speakers. In addition to regular lectures, there are debates and panels. Every session will feature time for discussion and audience participation. IMS and iRS topics are integrated seamlessly throughout. Our panel of judges will be handing scientific Awards for best oral and electronic abstracts, in distinct categories.

At the time of this writing in mid-October 2026, there are more than 340 confirmed faculty, 77 accepted oral abstracts and 78 accepted electronic posters. More than 450 medical attendees have registered to date, from more than 40 countries. Furthermore, and as a testament to the high quality of the meeting and its participants, more than 40 industry partners are exhibiting or sponsoring in some format. Houston, in its position as 4th largest city in the US, features 2 convenient airports with a large number of international flights and connections. The venue of the congress and the headquarter hotel for your accommodation is the very centrally located Royal Sonesta Galleria Houston hotel. The scientific sessions will start Tuesday morning (November 17) at 8:30 am and conclude Friday evening (November 20) at 6:30 pm. We have organized a Welcome Reception on Tuesday evening at the hotel. On Wednesday evening, all participants are invited free of charge to attend a most entertaining country style evening function with dinner, live band, country music, dancing and other surprise events at the iconic Houston venue, the Armadillo Palace.

Do not miss it! Please come in casual country style attire! I will certainly wear my jeans, cowboy hat and boots! Bus transportation is provided from/to the Sonesta hotel. We have left Thursday evening free for attendees to explore leisurely the rich gastronomic scene that Houston is famous for. Our last evening together on Friday will feature our ticketed Gala event (cocktail attire preferred) at the Sonesta. Please check with Shelbey at Voila Meetings (shelbey@voilameetings) if gala tickets are still available for purchase.

Do not hesitate to reach out to Nick Khan or myself at anytime! We look forward to seeing you in Houston!

Best,