Since our first meeting in Chicago several people have been looking at options for alternative meeting locations that would reduce the meeting costs, and make it easier for people from Asia to attend these meetings. NO change is happening in the March meeting, it will still take place at the Chicago Marriott O'Hare, with the meeting rate being $175/person. The following meetings will alternate between Chicago, IL and Menlo Park, CA. Microsoft will host the meetings in Chicago, when their downtown facility is available (or else we will meet at the Marriott), and Sun will host the meetings in CA. So the plan would be April 28-30, 2008 Microsoft facility in Chicago June 30 - July 2nd, Menlo Park Sept 3-5, Dublin Ireland Oct 20-22, Chicago Dec 15-17, Menlo Park If in doubt, https://meetings.mpi-forum.org/Meeting_details.html is kept up to date with meeting information. Feel free to suggest alternatives that meet the objectives of reducing the meeting cost and making it easier for the Asian community to participate in this. Barring any such suggestions this will become the plan of record on Wed, 2/13, to make it possible for people to purchase airplane tickets to the March meeting. Thanks, Rich