A week in, and still FEMS2019 buzzes at the FEMS office. This congress was clearly made by the microbiology community. From the volunteers that guided the FEMS run to the renowned scientists that made time to sit down with participants, from the members of the programme committee to the editors of our journals: thank you all for making this happen.

As we publish this, it has been just over a week since we said goodbye, and 723 days until our next Congress. Now is the time to look back and ahead. We have already been plotting some ideas for our upcoming congress but we also are eager to learn from your experiences at FEMS2019. All participants have therefore received a survey and we would encourage you – if you have not yet done so – to head to your mailbox and complete it. We are looking forward to your ideas and suggestions and hope to meet you (again) at FEMS2021.

See you in Hamburg!