The 39th Annual Conference of the German Society for Medical Physics, held in Oldenburg from 10 - 13 September 2008, was a complete success: satisfied faces and positive comments from the more than 450 conference participants and 27 exhibitors showed that not only the scientific programme, but also the conference venue with its lecture hall centre, which is ideal for such events, met with a broad response.

The exciting conference topics in the very well-received plenary lectures included real-time fMRI imaging of the beating heart (presented by Prof. Frahm, Göttingen), the report on the current status of the impressive Heidelberg Heavy Ion Therapy Centre (Dr. Brons, Heidelberg), as well as new model calculations on the pathology of the voice (Prof. Eysholdt, Erlangen). Prof Lüth from Munich also provided an insight into innovations in medical robotics. In the public evening lecture, Prof. Karlheinz Brandenburg (Ilmenau) reported on the latest developments in aurally appropriate sound reinforcement methods in 21st century cinemas.

A series of structured sessions, some of which were very well received, industry presentations, free lecture sessions and over 90 posters rounded off the conference. The supporting programme, for example the social evening in the old Oldenburg state parliament, was also enthusiastically received: "Everyone was friendly, cordial, committed and ready for action," said Prof. Dr Wolfhard Semmler, Heidelberg, Vice President of the DGMP.

Accordingly, the organisers' assessment was positive: "The success of the conference and the positive public response have made Oldenburg a permanent fixture in the medical physics landscape - just right for Oldenburg as the City of Science 2009 and for recruiting qualified physics students," said Prof. Dr. Dr. Birger Kollmeier. As conference president, he organised the conference together with Prof. Dr Björn Poppe (University of Oldenburg and Pius Hospital) and other Oldenburg colleagues as well as HörTech gGmbH.