Oktoberfest is around the corner once more and we are happy to announce this year’s Diabetes ‘Oktoberfest’ Symposium, the fourth in what is starting to become a tradition. This year’s topic is the beta cell meets immunity and is an attempt to stimulate cross-talk between the science of the two most relevant self components of type 1 diabetes. A forum of international and local scientists are brought together to present and discuss immune mediated beta cell destruction, and models for studying beta cell development, expansion, destruction and replacement. Advances in these two areas are of paramount importance in our attempts to cure type 1 diabetes. We hope that the presentations, discussions, informal atmosphere, and unique social get-together will foster innovative actions and research that bridge the sciences of the adaptive immune response to the beta cell and beta cell replacement. The symposium will be held at the time of the Oktoberfest providing guests and participants an opportunity to celebrate in Bavarian style and visit the ‘Wiesn’. We are looking forward to welcoming you to the symposium and to Munich.