On March 2-3, 2016 the annual Spring Summit of the European Society of Cardiology was held at the European Heart House in Nice, France. Highlights inlcuded the presentation of the ESC five year strategic plan, as well as a review and update of key projects and activites undertaken by the ESC, in collaboration with its Consituent Body members. Five different workshops, focussing on the five strategic pillars of the ESC strategic plan, enabled the ESC leadership to gain valuable insights from all participants on the areas which most affect cardiology institutions, their members and address the issues and challenges that we all face in reducing the burden of cardiovascular disease.
On the first day of the meeting Prof. Evgeny Shlyakhto gave a report on successful experience of the Russian Society of Cardiology on attracting new members and building an effective work system with regional offices of the Society. Prof. Shlyakhto talked about significant increase of RSC members from 2011 to 2016, support of young cardiologists, development of the educational initiatives and projects and close collaboration with regional branches of the RSC.