The Aortic Association is an independent interdisciplinary scientific platform focusing on continuing medical education in aortic medicine, on advancing the standard of the therapy of aortic diseases of today and on providing a think tank for treatment strategies of tomorrow. It is the aim of the Aortic Association to become the number 1 leader in the field in addition to medical societies due to its unique nature, strategic focus and versatility of a dedicated interest group. These aims are reached by knowing the past, by understanding the present and by therefore being able to shape the future of aortic medicine.