Make your plans now for SMA 2008, Wednesday October 29 through Saturday November 1 at the TradeWinds Island Resorts in St. Pete Beach, Florida.  Our location is a beachfront, resort-style setting just south of our popular locations in 2003 and 2006 at Clearwater Beach.  Our beach locations are usually popular, so be sure to reserve your room and make your travel plans as soon as possible.

In addition to our ideal location, the program promises to be stimulating and engaging.  With an acceptance rate of approximately 50%, the program will include over 150 papers, cases, workshops, and symposia across eight tracks, including the new Paper Development Workshop and the winner of our inaugural “Most Innovative Session” award.  Highlights are a plenary session on environmental sustainability, our annual business meeting, several receptions, and a Halloween party on Friday night (see details elsewhere in this newsletter).

In recognition of our beachfront location, the dress code for the meeting will be business casual for sessions, and casual for all non-session activities.  The TradeWinds Island Resorts include the TradeWinds Island Grand, the site for all of the SMA meeting activities, as well as the adjacent Sandpiper hotel. The hotel properties cover 20 acres including 5 heated pools, six restaurants (from casual to fine dining), two beach bars, and 4 “quick stops” including pizza, a deli, and coffee shops. Many other restaurants and additional shopping are located within a short walk of the hotel, so plan to spend time out-of-doors.

To make your plans to attend visit the SMA website and click on the 2008 Meeting interface.  You will find the registration and lodging information ready and available.  Register now and then come early and plan to stay late to enjoy the stimulation of an excellent program as well as the beaches of the Gulf of Mexico. I look forward to seeing you there.

Margaret (Peg) Williams
Vice President and Program Chair