Dear Honored Guests,

I am delighted to invite you to attend the 9th Asian Congress of Neurological Surgeons, which will be held on September 2-5, 2012 in Harbiye Cultural Center, Istanbul, Turkey.

ASNS meeting will be organized for the first time in Istanbul, one of the most historical citiesone of the most popular international congressexhibition destinations. Istanbul is also the only metropolis in the world that bridge two continents. The main objective of the congress is to offer a high-level communication platform, providing the opportunity to extendto enrich the field of development of neurosurgery in the very west part of Asia. We invite all neurosurgeons in the region to submit abstracts for oralposter presentations. We also prepare a significant support for young neurosurgeons from the Asian countries.

We believe this conference will provide sessions of high scientific content, innovative topics, stimulating discussions on neurosurgery. In addition to the scientific program, there will be an enticing social program to make this congress a memorable event on the calendar. We also consider that this meeting is a good opportunity to get to know each otherestablish new professional contactsfriendships among specialists from Asian countries.

We are looking forward to seeing you in Istanbul on September, 2012 for this outstanding meeting Asian Congress of Neurological Surgeons for academic communicationfriendship,also enjoy the historic sightseeingmodern entertainment in the city of Istanbul.

With best regards.

Mehmet Zileli, M.D.
Congress President
Past President of the Turkish Neurosurgical Society



Dear Colleagues,

I congratulatethank Prof. Mehmet Zileli, President of the Turkish Neurosurgical Society for hosting the 9th Asian Congress of Neurological Surgeons (ACNS) in September 2012 at Istanbul.

ACNS was established in 1993, mainly for the education of the young neurosurgeons in Asia. Since then, more than 3,000 young neurosurgeons have participated in the previous ACNS Meetings with some supports from the organizers.

I may say that ACNS has contributed a lot for the development of Neurosurgery in Asia.

Now, a new era is coming, that is Asian young neurosurgeons will have a more friendly relation with Middle East colleagues. As the world history shows, Turkey has been the social, economicaleducational bridge between AsiaMiddle East. Asian people have had a very friendly relations with Turkey,we Asian people has learned a lot from this very historicalcultural country.

Hence, the 9th ACNS will be a historic congress for all of us.

As all of us know, the Turkish Neurosurgical Society has been playing a very big role in the international neurosurgical activities,has had many successful meeting. I hope that large number of colleagues will participate in this meeting, enjoying the fruitful scientific exchangethe many historical monumentspersonally. Looking forward to see many friends in Istanbul in 2012, I wish this meeting a great success.

Sincerely Yours,

Tetsuo KANNO
President of ACNS
2nd Vice President of WFNS
Director of Fujita Health University
Emeritus professor of F.H.U.

Dates
02-05, September 2012

Venue
Harbiye Cultural Center, Istanbul/Turkey


Invitation Letter
Individuals requiring an official letter of invitation in order to attend the congress can contact the Organising Secretariat. This procedure is designated to assist participants to obtain a visapermission to attend the meetingdoes not apply to registration feesother expenses.

BankingExchange Facilities
Foreign money can be changed at banks during regular business hours (09.00-17.00 Monday-Friday) as well as at hotels, at the airportin exchange offices. Exchange rates are set daily by the Central Bank. All major credit cards are accepted in most hotels, restaurantsshops. Automated bank machines are available at many points throughout the cityat the airport.

ClimateClothing
Daytime temperatures are in the range of 20-25°Cevening temperatures are around 16-20°C. We recommend you bring light clothes.

Currency
The Turkish currency is Turkish Lira. The exchange rate for Turkish Lira as of December 2008 is: TRL 1,27 = 1 USD - TRL 1,75 = 1 EURO.

Electricity
The electrical power supply in Turkey is 220 volts.

Language
The official language of the congress is English.

RestaurantsTurkish Cuisine
There is a wide choice of restaurants in Istanbul offering a broad spectrum ranging from excellent national cuisine to first class international dishes. Traditional Turkish cuisine is famous for its many specialties prepared with fresh vegetables. There are lots of quality restaurants as well as fast-food shops in the vicinity of the hotels reserved for this meeting.

Shopping
One of the most enjoyable parts of a trip to Turkey is shopping for the rich variety of Turkish crafts. Istanbul is a shopping paradise with its Covered Bazaar as well as the modern malls. Turkish carpets, kilims, suedeleatherwear as well as other items of clothing are the best buys. Copper, silver, brasswarejewellery are also choices for buying, along with works of ceramicsthe famous Turkish meerschaum. In the Covered Bazaar bargaining over the sale price with shop traders is expected.

Telephones
Pay phonescredit card phones are available at the meeting venue as well as in the city.

Time
Turkey is 2 hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time (GMT).

Tipping
Although service charge is included in most restaurants, leaving a tip at one´s own discretion is appreciated.

Visa Requirements
Participants are requested to check with the Turkish Consulate in their home countrywith their travel agencyat www.mfa.gov.tr for visa requirements. Entry visa to Turkey can also be obtained at Istanbul Atatürk Airport for some countries.

Turkish Neurosurgical Society
Taşkent Cad. 13/4 06500 Bahçelievler - Ankara - TURKEY
Phone: ++90 312 212 64 08 Fax: ++90 312 215 46 26
Web: www.turknorosirurji.org.tr
E-mail: info@turknorosirurji.org.tr

Congress President
Mehmet Zileli, M.D.
Ege University Faculty of Medicine
Department of Neurosurgery
Bornova - İzmir - 35100 TURKEY
Phone: ++ 90 232 390 33 80 Exh:006
Fax: ++ 90 232 463 77 51
E-mail: mehmet.zileli@ege.edu.tr

Congress Secretariat
Topkon Congress Services
Organising Secretariat
Zühtü Paşa Mah. Rıfat Bey Sok. No:24 Kalamış,
Kadıköy- ISTANBUL - TURKEY
Phone: ++ 90 216 330 90 20 ( PBX)
Fax: ++ 90 216 330 90 05-06-07
E-mail: congress@topkon.com
E-mail: acns2012@topkon.com
Web: www.topkon.com