The 52nd annual Southern Forest Insect Work Conference will be 28-31 July 2009 in Gulfport, Mississippi USA. The meeting starts on a Tuesday this year to avoid the need for Sunday travel. We have chosen the Courtyard by Marriott Gulfport Beachfront as our meeting hotel. Although we soon will be updating the SFIWC website ( http://sfiwc.org) with this year's registration form, I encourage you to make your hotel reservation as soon as possible. We have a block of 90 rooms set aside for the group until June 30, so make your reservations by this date. Don't miss out on the special pricing! Here are the details: Date: 28-31 July 2009 Place: Courtyard by Marriott Gulfport Beachfront, 1600 E. Beach Blvd., Gulfport, Mississippi USA Phone reservation: 228-864-4310. Ask for the "Southern Forest Insect Work Conference" group rate. Parking is FREE. Visit http://www.marriott.com/gptcy for hotel information. Room rates are $80.00 USD per night plus tax. Remember, this low rate is valid only until June 30, and only for the first 90 rooms (first 30 on Monday, July 27). Make your reservation right away! And an update on the 2009 SFIWC Program from John Nowak (Program Chairman): I would like to receive ideas for concurrent session topics with either volunteers for moderators or suggestions for moderators. I am also looking for 2 willing graduate students to contact me in regards to planning and moderating the student session which will run on Wednesday afternoon. And lastly, we need someone to lead the task of gathering the poster session submissions. I would like to have feedback by Feb. 21, if possible. I would like to humbly remind people that the program is only as good as the input from the conference participants. Therefore, I hope that people will give some thoughtful consideration to submitting session ideas that will lead to vigorous and interesting discussions. Please send your responses to John Nowak at jnowak(a)fs.fed.us or 828-257-4326. Hope to see you in Gulfport on July 28! - Will William P. Shepherd, SFIWC Secretary-Treasurer USDA Forest Service SRS 2500 Shreveport Highway Pineville, LA 71360 USA Voice: 318-473-7256 FAX: 318-473-7222 E-mail: williamshepherd(a)fs.fed.us SFIWC website: http://sfiwc.org