Tradition and progress coming together. Maxillofacial surgery is one of the most diverse and challenging professions. We operate while influencing on a person's facial appearance, some of the times unintentionally while at other times in order to improve appearance. We treat bony tissue and soft tissue, functional structures and aesthetic structures, healthy people and sick ones, children and adults. Our field includes numerous procedures; from minor oral surgery and implantology up to major head and neck surgery and reconstruction. Due to the diversity of our field, an increased number of technological developments are introduced constantly, starting from minimal invasive endoscopic instrumentation up to virtual 3D pre planning of operations and personalized surgical guides and implants. Research is an important part of our field and completes the clinical activity. All of the above require us to exchange experiences and developments in our field in order to allow the best possible care for our patients. In light of the importance of these scientific meetings it is my pleasure to invite you to the 31st World Congress of the International College for Maxillo-Facial-Surgery (ICMFS), which will be held in Tel Aviv, Israel between the 29th of October and the 1st of November 2019.