The Phytopathology Group hosted a two-day visit of Alberto Santini, the research director at the Italian National Research Council, Institute for Sustainable Plant Protection in Florence, Italy. During his stay at WSL Alberto gave a presentation ‘Biological invasions from the perspective of a forest pathologist’ at the WABIO seminar on 29^th February focusing on the results of his recent work related to dynamics of arrival and spread of forest pathogens in Europe and risk management strategies to reduce their impacts. These two days were filled with constructive exchange and discussions resulting in new projects that will strengthen the collaboration between our two groups. We are looking forward to hosting Alberto and his group members again in future!