As for the registration issue, I suggest that if Sue would be so kind as to send a reminder to the members on the bruc list that the abstract and hotel reservation deadlines are next week, that would be an opportunity to tell the membership that we will

Meeting Update – October 23, 2006

59^th Annual Brucellosis Research Conference

(as a satellite meeting of CRWAD)

December 2-3, 2006

Chicago Marriott, Chicago, Illinois

Action Items:

1. Hotel reservations: must be made by November 1, 2006

http://marriott.com/property/propertypage/chidt?groupCode=crwcrwa&app=resvlink

At times the website is a little moody; if you have difficulties, please call reservations at 1-800-228-9290 and use the CRWAD group name or code.

2. Abstracts: are due by October 30, 2006; please email them to me (shagius@agcenter.lsu.edu) as a Word doc or a .rtf file, indicating if you wish to give a PowerPoint oral presentation or a poster presentation. The program committee will attempt to schedule all presentations in the desired format.

3. Registration: We are meeting in the Marriot on the 5^th floor in the Chicago Ballroom Salon D. Registration will begin at 7am; fees are payable in cash or by check (no credit cards).

IMPORTANT – PLEASE READ and RESPOND TO BELOW ISSUE:

Due to the increased costs at this hotel, if we want to have light snacks at the three coffee breaks during the meeting, we will need to raise the registration fee to $100 for PIs/guests and $75 for students unless there are objections or hardships from the membership. The officers feel that having food during the coffee breaks serves as an enticement to keep everyone in the meeting area to visit and share ideas with colleagues. However, should this be unacceptable to the membership, the fees will remain as stated in the meeting announcement and the coffee breaks will have coffee and tea only. We must have feedback on this item ASAP so that arrangements may be made with the hotel. Please email one of the officers if this is unacceptable to you (addresses on the CC line of the email).

Items for thought and consideration at Business Meeting:

2007 meeting location – The meeting will not be held in England; Sally Cutler has changed jobs and has had to rescind her offer to host the 2007 meeting. Due to this change, the officers decided to return to the “every three year” cycle for the international meetings which would make 2008 our next tentative international event. Therefore, the 2007 meeting will be domestic. The decision to remain with CRWAD will be revisited. Next year’s CRWAD meeting will remain at the Marriot and will be December 2-4, 2007. Should your institution be willing to host the meeting, please bring information concerning location, transportation, and tentative costs to share with the membership. A decision will be made during the meeting.

2008 International meeting – Any one interested in hosting the 2008 meeting is asked to come with tentative plans to be discussed. The final decision would not be made until the 2007 meeting when definite plans and figures could be voted on by the group. International members, please consider this unique opportunity to share your country and culture with your colleagues.

Thank you for your attention and consideration of these points. Take care and see you in Chicago!

Sue