October 2004 • Volume 38 • Number 10

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2004 APS Annual Meeting in Review
July 30 – August 3, 2004

People attend APS Annual Meetings for various reasons. Some come to learn more about the latest research advances. Others come to look into products, equipment, and services that could help them in their work. Most come, in part, to reconnect with old friends and make new acquaintances who are interested in plant pathology. Whichever of these reasons applied, more than 1,500 attendees found what they were looking for at the 2004 APS Annual Meeting in Anaheim, CA.

Networks for Plant Health
The theme for the 2004 APS Annual Meeting was “Networks for Plant Health.” The Plenary Session focused on current networking efforts of APS, including

• Other scientific societies
• International organizations
• Foundations
• Libraries
• Government Agencies

Expand Your Mind
Learning is the main focus of APS Annual Meetings and this year was no exception. Attendees took part in a number of field trips, workshops, and sessions during the
2004 APS Annual Meeting.

• Workshops and field trips focused on
   Pre- and Post-harvest Diseases of
  Tree Fruit and Other Crops
• Forest Pathology
• Turfgrass Disease Diagnostics
• Methods in Functional Genomics
• Ornamental Diseases
• Linear Mixed Models for Analyzing
• Data Obtained in Designed Experiments

Special sessions and oral presentations featured hot topics such as

• Microbial Forensics: Plant Pathogen Models
• Meeting New Federal Requirements for Planning and Accountability—APS and CSREES Working Together
• Information Security vs. Freedom of Information in Agriculture

Other sessions covered a more broad range of topics, including

• Biology of Plant Pathogens
• Diseases of Plants
• Epidemiology/Ecology/Environmental Plant Pathology
• Molecular/Cellular Plant–Microbe Interactions
• Plant Disease Management

Colleague Connections
Connections with colleagues are an important aspect of APS Annual Meetings, and many opportunities were provided again this year:

First Timer’s Orientation
People attending the APS meeting for the first time had an opportunity to meet other first-timers and hear about highlights of the meeting from APS leaders.

APS Awards & Honors Ceremony, Art and APS, and Welcome Reception Attendees recognized colleagues who have made outstanding contributions to science, outreach, and education related to plant pathology. A listing of these outstanding individuals and details of their accomplishments can be found at www.apsnet.org/members/awards/2004Awardees.asp. Following the ceremony, award recipients and attendees mingled and enjoyed drinks and appetizers at the Welcome Reception.
The Art in APS display was also featured during the reception. For the first time awards were presented. Winners included: Best of Show - Aruna Kilaru, University of Louisiana-Lafayette; Best Use of Medium - Emily Cantonwine and Sara Gremillion, University of Georgia; Creativity - Adriana Murillo Williams, Iowa State University; and Best Illustration of a Scientific Concept - Lindsey Otto-Hanson, University of Nebraska. Sponsors Cornell University, NC State University and University of Wisconsin provided a $100 prize for each of the winners.

The Exhibit Hall
The Exhibit Hall contained numerous opportunities for scientific exchange, including

APS PRESS Bookstore
APS PRESS featured APS products at great prices. New products this year included

• “Population Genetics of Plant Pathogens” on CD-Rom
• Compendium of Ornamental Palm Diseases and Disorders with companion CD-Rom
• “The Aphid: A Virus Vector” on CD-Rom

Each of the CD-Roms were available to try at a kiosk in the bookstore. At the Author Open House, attendees discussed book and electronic product ideas with APS Editor-in Chief Rose Gergerich and Editorial Director Karen Cummings.

Poster Presentations
More than 600 posters were on display highlighting the latest research in phytopathology. Many of these posters were captured on CD-Rom and are now available for purchase through APS PRESS. Monday and Tuesday’s Beer and Bull sessions provided attendees the time to meet with poster presenters, discuss the latest research, and connect with other meeting attendees while they enjoyed beer and munchies.

Exhibits
There were 37 exhibitors in the hall who demonstrated new products, answered questions, and offered expertise to attendees. Exhibitors and attendees benefited from being exposed to a targeted segment of people they wanted to meet.

APS Central
APS Central provided meeting attendees with information about APS and how to become more involved in the society. Job seekers and employers used the Job Placement kiosks as a place to meet and conduct interviews. Attendees also gathered at APS Central to meet friends and colleagues between sessions.

Passing the Gavel… And a Great Year Ahead
With the APS Business Meeting and Breakfast came the passing of the gavel and the beginning of a new year for APS. As APS thanked Gary Bergstrom for his hard work over the past year they welcomed their new APS President, Jim MacDonald, and looked forward to another great year for the society.

Another Great Year!
As you look ahead, remember to mark your calendars and attend the 2005 APS Annual Meeting in Austin, TX, July 30 to August 3. Planning is already underway, and we are looking forward to an even better year in 2005!
 

Want to be more involved in APS?

APS Committees are now seeking volunteers to serve as committee members. If you are interested in a particular subject matter or general policy committee, simply contact the current chair of the committee no later than November 15, 2004 to be considered for appointment. A detailed list of available committees and current chairs was printed in the August 2004 issue of Phytopathology News on page 108 or visit www.apsnet.org/ members/com/reports.asp.
 

Reminder: New Date and E-mail Submission for APS Award Nominations

The APS Award nominations deadline has been changed to November 1, 2004. Additionally, all nominations are to be
submitted electronically via PDF files sent directly to APS Headquarters’ awards coordinator Linda Schmitt (lschmitt@ scisoc.org). For details on how to nominate individuals for an APS award go to www.apsnet.org/members/awards/
closing.asp.
 

 
Also in this issue:(as a .PDF file, see link below)

Have an event you want listed?
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