25th March 1999
No.4

INTRODUCTION

In last month's Newsletter we told you that we are going to be treated to the best and most productive Analytical Chemistry meeting ever held in Australia. This month we are even more confident that this will be the case. The trade have finally realised that the event is just around the corner and have responded very positively over the last month regarding trade session speakers/bookings and the contributed speaker program. We have gone from only three or four contributed speakers to close to 20 or about 25% of the total program (excluding the trade sessions/workshops)

Bookings- Trade Exhibition

Bookings continue to come in and we now have only 13 spaces left. A few of these are expected to be booked shortly including one to an overseas Chromatography manufacturer/supplier.
STAND 40 has become available today, due to the origin occupant taking another stand. This prime spot is available at the EARLY BIRD RATE.

Trade Workshops

As previously advised, there will be a 60 minute Trade Workshop and Software Session on each of the four days of the meeting. These do not compete against other parts of the program except for the trade exhibition.
Four trade sessions will run concurrently each day . These are being arranged into 16 subject/modality areas, each containing 3 x 20 minute segments. Each 20 minute segment will cost the exhibitor $100.00.
We now have only 16 x20 minute slots left. Some modality/subject areas are fully subscribed. However, we will re-arrange the less popular sessions to as best we can accommodate all those that had previously given us an expression of interest.
We remind you that abstracts for the trade sessions are required and must be received by Trade Exhibition and Workshop Committee(TEW) by latest the 7th May 99. You will be advised of your session/s acceptance during May. Send abstracts of no longer than one A4 page (12 point) by email (ssaa@enternet.com.au) or Fax (02 9804 8052) or Post to P.O. Box 600, Eastwood NSW 2122.
Please review the enclosed Trade Workshop Booking List to determine as to whether or not you have re-confirmed your slot/s. If you have not done so , IMMEDIATELY complete the Trade Workshops & Software Sessions form and fax it back to us at the above address. If you delay you will miss out.
It is almost impossible to further extend these sessions.

Please refer to AISAS'99 Trade Newsletter No.3 for Trade Sessions Presentation Guidelines.

PARTICIPATION IN THE SCIENTIFIC PROGRAM

We have had an amazing response to our offer of increased spots in the contributed paper section of the conference. Eleven of the 12 extra spots available have been taken up by the trade, plus one other has moved into a specialist session. A reserve list (about 10 long) now exists for contributed papers. Contact Dr Peter Iles on iles@rmit.edu.au or by fax on 03 9639 1321 if you have contributed paper query.
About 100 posters have been accepted. More spots are still available. Contact Peter Iles as above.

Event Registration Brochures

A limited number of these are still available from Dr Peter Carpenter at RMIT. Email carpenter@rmit.edu.au Please make sure that those already sent to you are being distributed by your people NATIONALLY. Don't rely on others. It is very important that we get a record turnout at AISAS'99.

Sponsorship Opportunities

Past AC meetings have had major sponsors. These have seen as much as $30000 committed by SSAA members for what can only be described as poor commercial returns. The SSAA involvement in AISAS'99 has lead to a more enlightened approach to sponsorship. They are being limited to naming rights on the conference satchels and advertising in the Conference Proceedings. Insertion of advertising material in the satchels will also be possible for a moderate charge.

The up to 1000 satchels to be ordered will cost in excess of $7000. They will include the AISAS'99 logo and in the other corner a sponsor's logo. We invite offers in excess of $3000 for the same. The best offer in excess of this latter figure gets the space.

See the offer/booking form forwarded with this newsletter which also covers advertising in the Conference Proceedings and Satchel Inserts.

Exhibitor's Meeting- 8th April

An Exhibitor's Meeting will be held at the RMIT in conjunction with the SSAA Victorian Division meeting on the 8th April at 3.30pm. It will be held in the RMIT University Function Room that is in Building 8 with entrance via Swanston Street. From the street level, go down the steps besides the Commonwealth Bank to RMIT entrance thru glass doors. The Function Room is next to Kaleide Theatre. Parking may be available in Franklin, Cardigan, A'Beckett Streets or 4 hour spots in Bouverie Street. Also in the adjacent parking garages.

Most of the organising committee will be there as will be the stand builders. We have also arranged a great guest speaker from Reed Exhibitions to talk about "What you should expect from a Trade Show". Please try to have someone attend.

Exhibitor's Info Package

We plan to issue to all exhibitors a similar Exhibitor's Information Package to that issued to Science 2000 exhibitors. Note that the Melbourne Convention Centre has different rules to the MEC.

We strongly recommend that you collect your package at the above meeting. It will be subsequently mailed to all exhibitors and will also be discussed at the 15th April SSAA NSW Division meeting for Sydney based exhibitors.

Publicity

You have seen ads for AISAS'99 appear in WNISLT, Chemistry in Australia and Testing Technology. In due course it will appear in Lab News and Chemistry in NZ. Also in the PJC Postcard Packs.

A special flyer will be available for distribution by exhibitors to Victorian laboratories in the weeks before AISAS'99. This is designed to get the waverers to commit to enroll for one or more days of the conference or to attend the Exhibition only at no charge.
The event Program will appear in Chemistry in Australia and one other journal (to be confirmed next week). Editorial will be in all 4 major magazines.