by Taz Daugherty
The Software Division will be partnering with the World Congress for Software Quality, slated for September 2008 in the Washington, D.C. area. It is not too early to begin activating volunteers.

In order to avoid having "yacc" (="yet-another-conference conference") we want to learn lessons from other events and find distinctive ways to advance our profession. The 2007 Software Division conference (16-17 October in Denver) might be one opportunity to prototype some activities.

Several individuals have expressed interest in contributing on a "vision team." Others might be willing to work marketing and exhibits or to recruit speakers or review proposals. I'd like to start populating the various teams with individuals, so let me know your particular interests.

We are considering one significant departure from the usual open call for papers. The Congress would like to invite speakers who have demonstrated the value of their technical content and their presentation skills. At conferences throughout 2007 these speakers should be identified. Some will receive "Best Speaker" or "Best Paper" awards, and others could be nominated by participants at those conferences.

Would you and your colleagues be willing to look for these exceptional speakers and propose inviting them to the 2008 Congress? We will work up the exact mechanics of this process shortly. If there are other specific aspects of organizing the Congress for which you have suggestions, please let me know. I look forward to your ideas and your help.

Taz Daughtrey
Executive Director, World Congress for Software Quality
daughtht@jmu.edu
434 237 2723 (voice/fax)