VOTING NOW CLOSED on bids to host the 11^th International Congress of Plant Pathology, 2018

Up until close of voting on 31stJanuary 2012, ISPP councillors were asked to consider and discuss this opportunity with their Society: Associated Societies of ISPP are invited to present bids to host the 11^th International Congress of Plant Pathology in 2018.

The closing date for receipt of bid-documents was 31 October 2011. Bid documents were sent to the Business Manager of ISPP, with c.c. to the Secretary ISPP, as e-mail attachments  (in high and low resolution PDF formats)and/or Web addresses. Note that distribution of bid documents and information to ISPP Councillors was by ISPP. Bidding Societies (and partner convention bureaus) should not contact councillors directly.

Peter Williamson

Business Manager, International Society for Plant Pathology

businessmanager@ISPPweb.org

Selection among bids was made by ballot of ISPP Councillors, representing Associated Societies, late in 2011.

Bids had to meet the following criteria:

1) Bids had to come from an ISPP Associated Society (national or regional) or combination of societies and not from a city or convention bureau.  On the other hand, the society or societies making a bid should consider working with a local convention bureau to help identify and advertise the unique features of their country that will interest the delegates.

2) The financial obligations of hosting an International Congress of Plant Pathology is the responsibility of the host society (or societies).  ISPP does not underwrite the financing of the Congress.

3) In consultation with the ISPP Executive Committee, the society (or societies) hosting the Congress is responsible for organizing the program and therefore must be sufficiently large to provide leadership in the major sections of plant pathology.  The program of a past Congress may be consulted as a guide.  Some help can be expected from ISPP Subject Matter Committees and congress organizers are strongly advised to seek their inputs. The theme of the congress should be reflective of the broad coverage of the science of plant pathology (i.e. not just focused on food security but also covering forests, natural ecosystem protection etc.).

Previous Congresses have included oral presentations of Keynote and Concurrent Session Papers, and poster presentations of Offered Papers. The potential Congress venue should provide up-to-date facilities for both types of presentations.

4) The site (city and hotels/campus) should normally be able to accommodate more than 2000 delegates and provide meeting rooms for around 10 concurrent sessions, as well as numerous small meeting rooms.  The site should preferably offer a variety of amenities with a range of costs.  Ideally, a university campus should be near-by to provide low-cost accommodations for those unable to afford more expensive hotels and meals.

5) The host city must be easily accessible by international airlines and offer a variety of cultural and tourist attractions.  One day of the Congress may be scheduled for tours of local attractions.

6) Consideration should be given to strategies for enabling attendance of delegates from developing countries.

Dr Greg Johnson

Secretary-General, International Society for Plant Pathology

c/- Horticulture 4 Development

PO Box 412, Jamison ACT 2614

Australia

Tel: +61 2 62515658

Mobile: +61 4 05087870

E-mail: greg.johnson@velocitynet.com.au

For more information on bidding for the 11th International Congress of Plant Pathology, 2018, please click here