The STAR-TREC launch meeting took place at the Institute of Translational Medicine in the Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Birmingham on the 14th July 2016. It was attended by approximately 50 trial collaborators, with all relevant specialisms represented: Surgery, Oncology, Radiology, Pathology and Research Nursing. Topics covered included surgical technique and quality assurance, the patient pathway and follow-up and the schedule of assessments. A full list of the topics covered can be found on the meeting agenda.