Dear Colleagues,

The Microscopy Society of America (MSA), the Microbeam Analysis Society (MAS), and the International Metallographic Society (IMS) invite scientists throughout the world who develop and use microscopy to the jointly sponsored Microscopy and Microanalysis 2007 meeting in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. The meeting will take place from August 5 through 9, 2007 in the state-of-the-art Fort Lauderdale Broward County Convention Center.

The Program Committee, chaired by Mike Marko, has arranged four full days of symposia in three broad categories: Biological Sciences, Physical Sciences, and Technology and Instrumentation. These are supplemented by tutorials in the same categories, as well as Ask the Experts sessions. Of course, the scientific program vitally depends on your contributed paper, and the Program Committee has taken special care to provide an appropriate forum for every accepted submission.

There are great reasons to arrive early for Microscopy and Microanalysis 2007. On the weekend before the meeting, there will be an exciting Pre-meeting Congress on cryo-electron Microscopy and a number of short courses to help you enhance your microscopy skills.

Microscopy and Microanalysis 2007 will again host the planet's largest commercial exhibition of microscopy and microanalysis equipment and related accessories, making the Commercial Exhibition a must-see event, and a great opportunity to observe and operate the latest instrumentation.

Your stay in Ft. Lauderdale will be all the more enjoyable thanks to the dedication and hard work of the Microscopy and Microanalysis 2007 local arrangements committee, chaired by Ron and Dale Anderson. A fabulous opening reception at The Convention Center will welcome everyone to Microscopy and Microanalysis 2007 and allow you to catch up with old friends and make new ones.

Microscopy and Microanalysis 2007 promises to be an exciting international scientific meeting in a tropical setting. We look forward to welcoming you to Fort Lauderdale!

Mike O'Keefe - President of the Microscopy Society of America
Paul Kotula  -  President of the Microbeam Analysis Society
Dennis Hetzner - President of the International Metallographic Society

Microscopy and Microanalysis 2007 will be the premiere meeting of the year for scientists and technologists worldwide who use microscopy and microanalysis in their research. We believe that there will be much to interest each of you, and we hope that you will take advantage of the unique interdisciplinary nature of the Microscopy and Microanalysis meetings as a way to broaden your knowledge by learning about techniques and applications that may be somewhat outside your main research focus. We have aimed to give equal emphasis to applications in both biological and physical sciences, while soliciting symposia that reflect current and emerging trends in microscopy and microanalysis, and in the development of associated instrumentation. We look forward to meeting and interacting with as many of you as possible at Ft. Lauderdale.

Mike Marko, Program Chair
John Henry Scott, Program Vice Chair
Ed Vicenzi, MAS Program Co-Chair
Steve Dekanich, IMS Program Co-Chair

Get together for Microscopy and Microanalysis in Fort Lauderdale!

We have everything you need: modern facilities, convenient access, a variety of accommodations, and cheerful folks ready to help you at every turn. Delight in our palm-fringed beaches, gorgeous waterfront, world-class dining, brilliant sunshine, great golf, cultural attractions, and outstanding shopping.

Modern Fort Lauderdale/Hollywood International Airport is spacious and convenient, and only minutes from the Greater Fort Lauderdale/ Broward County Convention Center, Port Everglades, beaches, and major highways. The airport has new terminals, a user-friendly design and a multilevel consolidated rental car facility to serve your needs.

Delegates will stay busy. Greater Fort Lauderdale's 23 miles of sunny beaches are ideal for yachting, fishing, snorkeling, jet skiing, scuba diving, sailing, windsurfing or just relaxing. Deerfield, Pompano, Dania, Fort Lauderdale and Hollywood are all designated Blue Wave Beaches, a distinction that places them among the cleanest, safest and most user-friendly in the country. Other outdoor pursuits include golf and tennis, spectator sports, rodeo, canoeing, kayaking and touring the Everglades. Microscopy and Microanalysis 2007 is a great family venue with a ton of things for your family to do while the delegates are "working" and Fort Lauderdale is a great jumping-off place for Florida vacations (Disney and other Orlando venues, The Keys, Cape Kennedy ...). For more information visit http://www.sunny.org.

What to Do

Downtown Fort Lauderdale is home to scenic Las Olas Boulevard: the Riverwalk Arts & Entertainment District, which includes the Broward Center for the Performing Arts, Stranahan House, the Museum of Discovery and Science and Blockbuster 3D IMAX Theater, the Museum of Art, and lively Himmarshee Village.

• Fort Lauderdale will be cooler than Chicago: 89*F max, 79* min!
• Fort Lauderdale's beaches are nicer than Honolulu: 84* water temperature and no rocks or coral!
• Fort Lauderdale's taxis float on water: miles of canals --take a water taxi downtown on all-day pass is $5 (2006 prices)!

We've arranged for discounted pre- and post-convention Bahamas cruise/vacation opportunities. See the social section for details. The middle picture, left, is from the Bahama boat leaving Fort lauderdale with the Convention Center behind the cruise ships. The Sunday Welcoming Reception will be at the Convention Center in a three-level lobby area with a glass wall overlooking the Intercoastal Waterway. It will give everyone the opportunity to mingle with colleagues in an atmosphere that promises to be enjoyable and relaxing.

Ron and Dale Anderson, LAC Co-Chairs.