<html>
<body>
<font size=3>The IAALD Executive Committee invites expressions of
interest from IAALD partners, members and associated groups to host the
12th IAALD World Congress in 2010. <br>
<br>
In May 2005, IAALD held its 11th World Congress and General Assembly in
Lexington, Kentucky, USA. The event was attended by some 250 agricultural
information specialists and was held in association with the US
Agricultural Information Network (USAIN). During the 5 day meeting, 4
pre-conference workshops were organised, 9 plenary sessions were held
with 31 speakers and panelists, 40 papers were given in concurrent
working sessions, and 34 posters were presented. There was also a full
and varied social programme and an exhibition of agricultural information
products and services. The Congress served as a forum to update members
on new developments in the profession; it was also a chance for IAALD to
recruit new members and to renew its governance and direction. <br><br>
The IAALD Executive Committee invites expressions of interest from IAALD
partners, members and associated groups to host the 12th World Congress
in 2010. Please send your well-thought out and brief proposals <b>by
email to 'info@iaald.org'</b> to reach the Committee on or before 30
September 2005. The Executive Committee will review proposals received at
its next meeting planned for 22 and 23 October 2005 and make a decision
regarding the location of the next World Congress. <br><br>
In taking its decision, the Executive Committee will consider at least
the following criteria:
<ul>
<li>estimated costs to hold the congress, and for participants to attend;
including likelihood of sponsorships and income generation for IAALD;
<li>meeting facilities, logistics and accommodation options, including
international access
<li>IAALD actual and potential membership base in the country/region and
opportunities to strengthen this
<li>organisational commitment and capacities of the host institution(s)
<li>co-organising opportunities with IAALD partners and allies.
</ul><br>
Please make sure to include the name and complete address of the bidding
organisation (including the name of a contact person); the proposed theme
and dates of the Congress; a brief description of the local organizing
committee; a brief description of the proposed meeting site; potential
sources of financial and sponsorship support for the Congress,including
the ability to sufficiently underwrite any losses that may be
incurredduring the Congress; translation services and language policy if
needed; any special considerations deemed relevant to the local context.
<br><br>
Note: Recent World Congresses have been held in:
<ul>
<li>2005: USA
<li>2000: Senegal
<li>1995: Australia
<li>1990: Hungary
<li>1985: Canada
<li>1980: Philippines
</ul>Tip: Contact Toni Greider (toni.greider@iaald.org) to benefit from
any lessons and insights she gained as host of the recent
<a href="http://www.ca.uky.edu/AIC/conf_home.htm">11th World Congress</a>
on "Globalization of Information: Agriculture at the
Crossroads".<br><br>
----------<br><br>
Posted on behalf of the IAALD Executive Committee by Peter Ballantyne,
President<br>
</font></body>
</html>