Dear Colleagues,
It is with great pleasure that we invite you to the 2026 NextGen Symposium, proudly organized by KBVR-SRBR, taking place at Van Der Valk Mechelen on January 9-10, 2026.
This symposium promises a unique and dynamic experience, with hands-on practical training sessions and interactive workshops designed specifically for rheumatologists in training, those in the early stages of their careers willing to expand their practical skills. We are committed to developing practical skills and knowledge that will empower you in your professional journey. The scientific program and speaker lineup have been carefully designed by the NextGen ACADEMY with the guidance and support of KBVR-SRBR to ensure a valuable and insightful experience.
We are also pleased to announce that we will request accreditation points, including points for ethics and economy for participants attending the symposium.
CONDITIONS
Thanks to the generous support of our partners (Abbvie, Amgen, Alfasigma, Eli Lilly, Novartis and Johnson & Johnson), we are delighted to offer free participation for all attendees (including the hotel night, if desired).
However, please note that these benefits represent a real cost. Out of respect for the organisers and the organisations covering these expenses (KBVR-SRBR and our sponsors), we kindly ask you to cancel your participation if you are unable to attend the symposium, and/or cancel your hotel booking, as soon as possible, if you will not use the room. If you fail to cancel (your room or your participation to the congress) at least 14 days before the event, and no force majeure applies, you will be invoiced €150 to cover the incurred costs.
PARKING
Parking is available in parking Keerdok, Antonia Wolversstraat 1, 2800 Mechelen
Parking Keerdok is accessible from the N16 via a direct exit lane.
Via pedestrian bridge, it is only a two-minute walk to the Van der Valk hotel.
Please note that parking is no longer allowed around the Van der Valk hotel.
There are 3 parking spaces provided next to the hotel for people with disabilities.
Preliminary Scientific Programme
Friday 9th January
13:00 – 14:00 Welcome Lunch
14:00 – 14:45 Behçet Syndrome, Gulen Hatemi, Istanbul University – Cerrahpasa
14.45 – 16.45 UltraSound in large vessel vasculitis Course, Ioannis Raftakis, ULB
Theory course followed by live demonstration and supervised hands-on scanning of vessels
Ongoing coffee service during the session
16:45 – 17:30 ETHICS & ECONOMY: Social determinants of Health in Rheumatology, Celine Mahieu, ULB
17:30 – 18:15 Tophaceous gout management, Caroline Van Durme, CHC Liège
18:15 – 19:00 Sjögren’s disease Unplugged, Isabelle Peene, UZ Ghent
19:15 Walking Reception and Walking Dinner
Saturday 10th January
09:00 – 09:40 Little joints, big lessons from pediatric rheumatology, Benson Ogunjimi UZA, UZB & ZAS
09:40 – 10:15 Recognizing autoinflammatory diseases in rheumatology, Albrecht Betrains, UZ Leuven
10:15 – 10:45 Coffee break
10:45 – 11.45 Quiz “Spot the Diagnosis”: Skin manifestations every rheumatologist should know, Sofie Stappers ,UZA
11:45 – 12:30 ERN RECONNET / We Care platform, Yves Piette
EMEUNET, Maxime Melchior
12:30 – 13:15 Farewell Lunch
Our PARTNERS
