This is a hectic time of the year for AVS Staff as preparations for the November International Symposium and Exhibition in San Jose, reach a frenzied pace. Abstracts for presentations at the meeting have been received and are under review. The preliminary technical program is to be compiled in several weeks and will be posted on our website shortly thereafter. Also, in the final planning stages, the associated Exhibition will not only highlight a variety of new products and the latest in instrumentation, but will also offer exhibitor workshops publicizing new products and techniques. So, mark your calendars for November 8-13, in San Jose and join us for a technically stimulating week in California.

I am confident that the comprehensive technical agenda developed for the International Symposium will be successful in attracting participants to the meeting and subsequently to bringing new members into the Society. Regional chapter activities provide another mechanism by which the Society can grow and expand into new technical areas. The chapters comprise an integral segment of the AVS, act to promote networking among the members, and encourage student participation with prospective establishment of student chapters at local universities.

I take this opportunity to officially recognize and welcome our newest regional chapter, the Hudson Mohawk Chapter, into the organization. Vincent Smentkowski from the General Electric Global Research Center has been elected the first Chapter Chair. We look forward to prospective chapter activities that will generate increased interest and participation by our members.

AVS outreach activities in which I have participated the past several months have been numerous and included attendance at the annual meeting of AIP society officers, participation in the international vacuum society executive council meeting and associated highlights seminar, and speaking with several of our elected officials and their staff in Washington, D.C. during Congressional Visits Day.

In April both Rudy Ludeke and I, on behalf of the AVS, attended the 2009 Assembly of Society Officers meeting sponsored by the AIP. As many. . .

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