As most of you are aware that the South Australian branch of the Australian Computer Society is hosting a branch conference this year and the theme is Survive and Thrive Through the Recession. The conference will run three stream: Professional Stream, Technical Stream and School Stream.

The professional stream will focus on career pathways where as technical stream will have more of case studies on surviving and thriving through the recession. The school stream is focused on school students and will promote ICT as a career option.

The conference has excellent line of speakers including Marcus Barber – Futurist (Keynote speaker), Andrew Mills – CIO of South Australian State Government, Simon Hackett – Managing Director of Internode, Philip Argy – 2009 Professional of the Year award winner and also immediate past president of the ACS, Steve Adcock – CEO of EICTA, Andy Koronios – Head of CIS School UniSA and many more. The conference will be opened by our vey own Prof Reg Coutts.

This is a very interesting opportunity for professional development and I am absolutely thrilled with the kind of response we have been receiving. Its been a long time since we have organised such a huge event for our members and I am extremely pleased with the development.

The conference committee consisting of Brenda Aynsley, Jack Burton, David Lindley, Grant Wigley, Joanna Zhai and myself (Chair) has put in tremendous effort to make this event of an international standard. I am extremely grateful to have them in this committee and am obliged with the support extended to this conference.

The conference is scheduled on 30th July 2009 at the Adelaide Convention Centre.

www.acs.org.au/sa/2009conference