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<p class=MsoNormal><span lang=EN-US>Dear program committee,<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span lang=EN-US><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span lang=EN-US>Attached you find an excel sheet
summarizing the status of speakers and workshops for the Pilsen 2009 congress. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span lang=EN-US><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><b><span lang=EN-US>Keynotes:<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span lang=EN-US>Andrew Schwartz (Pittsburgh U.) has
accepted to replace Black or Donoghue, both of whom could not make it. This
gives us 5 confirmed keynote speakers of the 6 we aim for. In addition, Thomas
Hofmann of Google Zürich has been invited.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span lang=EN-US><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><b>Workshops:<o:p></o:p></b></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span lang=EN-US>So far we only have 4 confirmed workshop
speakers, out of the 15 we need. We also still need abstract from 4 workshops
and co-chair for one. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span lang=EN-US><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span lang=EN-US>Recent developments include Andreas Herz
accepting to be co-chair of Gaute's workshop. This workshop is now number 3
instead of 1 because of time constraints of a speaker. For Workshop 5 on
Connectivity , Karl Friston declined to act as chair. Instead David steps in as
chair with Kevan Martin as co-chair. This workshop now has a title (The
neuroinformatics of neural connectivity) and a first confirmed speaker in
Albert Cardona (UCSD). At first, also Klaas Stephan (UCL) accepted to give a
talk but he unfortunately had to cancel due to a double booking. Giorgio Ascoli
(GMU) will be invited as third speaker.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span lang=EN-US><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><b><span lang=EN-US>Training:<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span lang=EN-US>There may be multiple training events
taking place in conjunction with the congress. Albert Cardona, who will speak
at workshop 5, is planning one such event. We should see to it to coordinate
all such initiatives, i.e. the Finnish node course and others.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span lang=EN-US><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><b>Venue:<o:p></o:p></b></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span lang=EN-US>I and David went to Pilsen in early
December and met with the local organizers. The congress hotel, Parkhotel,
looks very suitable for our needs! We were also shown the very nice historic
old town of Pilsen by our hosts, Roman and Vaclav. From the Prague airport one
gets to Pilsen by 45 minutes in car or one hour with direct bus. The highways
from Germany also present a good alternative, whereas train or bus
transportation from Germany to Pilsen is less convenient. All in all, we were
very happy with what we saw.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span lang=EN-US><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><b><span lang=EN-US>Evening program:<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span lang=EN-US>We are planning a welcome reception on the
first evening at the Pilsner Brewery, a long poster session with refreshments on
the second evening and the conference dinner on the third evening.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span lang=EN-US><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><b><span lang=EN-US>Program committee composition:<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span lang=EN-US>Vaclav and Mirko has joined the program
committee as representatives of the organizing INCF node. Since Andreas is now
co-chair of workshop 3, he is also a member of the program committee.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span lang=EN-US><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><b>Satellite event:<o:p></o:p></b></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span lang=EN-US>Professor Syka of the Czech Republic is
organizing a satellite event to the congress to showcase Czech science. This
event will be supported by the INCF Secretariat but will not be part of the
regular congress program and will be completely organized by the Czechs.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span lang=EN-US><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><b>Congress web page:</b><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span lang=EN-US>The web page is taking shape, although a
lot of facts and design issues remain. Please have a look at </span><a
href="http://www.neuroinformatics2009.org"><span lang=EN-US>www.neuroinformatics2009.org</span></a><span
lang=EN-US>. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span lang=EN-US><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span lang=EN-US>So, we are well on our way, but needless to
say, we need to put more emphasis on recruiting workshop speakers. I wish you
all a merry Christmas and a happy new year!<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span lang=EN-US><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal>Cheers,<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal>/Pontus<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span
lang=EN-US style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'>--<br>
Pontus Holm, Ph.D.<br>
Program Officer<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span
lang=EN-US style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'>International
Neuroinformatics Coordinating Facility Secretariat <br>
Karolinska Institutet<br>
Nobels väg 15A<br>
SE-171 77 Stockholm<br>
Sweden<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span lang=EN-US style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'>Email:
</span><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'><a
href="mailto:pontus.holm@incf.org"><span lang=EN-US>pontus.holm@incf.org</span></a></span><span
lang=EN-US style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'><br>
Phone: +46 8 524 87016<br>
Fax: +46 8 524 87150<br>
web: </span><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'><a
href="http://www.incf.org"><span lang=EN-US>www.incf.org</span></a></span><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'> </span><span
lang=EN-US><o:p></o:p></span></p>
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