The ESTS is the European Society of Thoracic Surgeons, founded in 1993. Our mission is to improve quality in all aspects of our specialty: from clinical and surgical management of patients to education, training and credentialing of thoracic surgeons in Europe and worldwide. This year we celebrate the 26th Meeting of the European Society of Thoracic Surgeons in Ljubljana, Slovenia, from 27th to 30th May 2018.