ESRS Newsletter May 2025

Dear Friends and Colleagues,

I am pleased to announce that over 1,100 delegates attended the 2025 Sleep and Breathing Conference in Antwerp. This record attendance underlines the relevance of sleep and respiratory medicine across Europe and beyond and underscores the importance of the ongoing partnership of ESRS and ERS in this long-standing joint conference. I would like to extend my sincere thanks to all participants, speakers, and organisers who helped form Sleep and Breathing into the great meeting that it has become. 

Since the beginning of 2025, the ESRS Board has engaged Wetando, a German consulting firm specialised in strategic planning, to work with us in writing the society`s first strategic plan to guide the allocation of resources and focuses on key areas such as advocacy, research, and professional development. A strategic plan aligns society leadership, staff, and members around shared goals. For ESRS, it will also clarify and coordinate the complementary roles of the Society and the new Sleep Europe Foundation (ESF).  

Initial research has been conducted with the Board and Committee Chairs and staff. To ensure that the identified priorities genuinely reflect the needs, insights, and aspirations of our community, I kindly invite you to contribute by completing the Strategic Plan – member survey. 

The survey will take approximately 5–10 minutes, and your feedback will play a crucial role in shaping the future of the ESRS. This is your chance to shape the future of our society. The survey will remain open until 23 May. 

eSleep Europe resumes this month on 8 May with the Mental Health Track, continuing our commitment to advancing knowledge- this time dedicated to the intersection of sleep science, mental health, and clinical practice. Participation is free for ESRS members and members of supporting organisations, including all ANSS members. Register now  to reserve your spot. 

This month, the ESRS ANSS will host its annual Presidents’ Meeting in Poznań, Poland. I look forward to seeing many familiar faces among the representatives from 33 national sleep societies. This meeting remains a highlight for me and an important opportunity to strengthen our shared mission. 

Finally, I would like to draw your attention to “Sleep Beyond Boundaries,” an important event taking place from 13–15 June 2025 in Plovdiv, Bulgaria. Organised by the Bulgarian Society of Somnology with the support of the ESRS ANSS, and hosted by the Medical University of Plovdiv, this meeting will explore advances in sleep medicine across multiple disciplines. Participation is free, but registration is required. 

Kind regards,   

Erna Sif Arnardóttir