If you were not at the first stand-alone meeting of ARP, in Evanston, Illinois in July of last year, then ask somebody who was. You will hear great things. Exciting research was presented by the best people in the field in a well-organized series of symposia and posters, but the most important action, as always, occurred in the hallways, bars, and restaurants as colleagues got together and exchanged ideas informally. Next year we plan to build on that success at our second biannual meeting in Riverside, California, on Thursday, June 16 to Saturday, June 18, 2011. Sessions will run all day on Friday the 17th and Saturday the 18th and will include symposia, plenary speakers, and plenty of room for posters. Mark your calendar now.

Riverside is one of the old cities of Southern California, with historic architecture including the stunning Mission Inn, which is one of our conference hotels. The other hotel is the downtown Marriott, a modern high-rise across the street from the Convention Center, which will be our primary venue. (If you decide to make your reservations early, phone the hotels -- do not make your reservation over the internet -- and be sure to mention ARP for a special rate.)

A survey taken after the Evanston meeting showed that while attendees were thrilled overall, they wished there had been more opportunities for informal social interaction. In response, the Riverside meeting will include an opening poolside reception at the Marriott on Thursday evening, a second reception on Friday evening in the convention center, and coffee breaks and lunches on Friday and Saturday. All this will be included in the registration fee. In addition, an optional gala dinner Saturday night will be held in one of the spectacular historic rooms in the Mission Inn.

Riverside is only 15 miles from Ontario International Airport (not to be confused with the Ontario in Canada), and both hotels will offer free shuttle service to conference attendees. Los Angeles International Airport is about 1 hr, 15 minutes away – fortunately, according to a recent survey, Los Angeles is one of the least expensive places in the world to rent a car, and the hotels are providing free parking.

Come early or stay late, if you can, and bring the family. Riverside is only a half-hour drive from Disneyland, a half-hour from the desert (and Palm Springs), and an hour from the beach. It can be hot in Riverside in June, but the area is also known for its “June Gloom” that can bring a high fog that cools things down and does not lift until noon. Watch your in-box for further information, soon, about hotels, registration, and participating in the program. This is a meeting you don’t want to miss.