The 2009 SPSP conference will be held in warm and sunny Tampa, Florida, which boasts February daytime temperatures in the low 70s, warm ocean breezes, and vibrant local shops, cafes, and restaurants, all within walking distance of scenic Tampa Bay.

Convention activities will begin at the Tampa Convention Center on Thursday afternoon with the Presidential Symposium, which will be immediately followed by a welcome reception. On Friday and Saturday, the program will continue with a host of excellent symposia, poster sessions, invited addresses, publisher exhibits, and special events. As in past years, the cost of lunches is once again included in the conference registration fee. This distinctive feature of our meeting allows everyone to view the posters and have a casual lunch with friends and colleagues on the floor of the spacious exhibition halls. Similar to previous years, several independent pre-conferences will also be held during the day on Thursday, February 5th.

The Tampa Convention Center is located right on the shores of Tampa Bay in the heart of downtown Tampa, and it is within walking distance or a very short (and inexpensive) street car ride to all the conference hotels. There are a wide assortment of shops, cafes, restaurants, and points of interest close to both the Convention Center and each of the main conference hotels. Thus, after a busy day of attending conference activities and chatting with friends and colleagues, one can just step outside and drop in on such local hotspots as Ybor City, Channelside (an area that has a variety of interesting restaurants, shops, movie theaters, and nightclubs), or the renown Florida Aquarium.

On the afternoon of Saturday, February 7th, Gasparilla—Tampa’s version of Mardi Gras—will take place on the streets right outside the Convention Center! At about 1:00 pm, a pirate ship full of buccaneers will dock outside the Convention Center, Johnny Depp-like “pirates” will disembark, and a Mardi Gras-style parade and party will ensue down the wide boulevards that boarder the Convention Center. Gasparilla is a longstanding and venerable tradition in Tampa. We are lucky to be visiting the city during one of the most festive and colorful events in the southeastern part of our country. Bring your party beads!

Now that posters and symposia have been officially accepted for the 2009 conference in Tampa, the conference hotels will soon open up for registration. We anticipate that the 2009 conference will be the most well attended one we have ever had, partly because of the very high quality and diversity of symposia and posters that have been accepted.

The hotels, therefore, are likely to fill up very quickly, so please make your reservations early. Please make your reservations at one of the hotels listed on the website since SPSP has negotiated special rates with these hotels.

We hope to see you in Tampa next February, and hope that everyone will enjoy the very best that Tampa and SPSP have to offer.