The general assembly of the African Crop Science Society (ACSS) decided in Egypt that the next conference in 2009 will be in South Africa – Cape Town. On behalf of the Board of the ACSS and the local organizing committee of South Africa we cordially invite you to attend the next conference.

Cape Town
Cape Town is the mother city of South Africa, nestling on the slopes of the world famous sight at the south western tip of Africa – Table Mountain. It lies between the looming crags of the Mountain and the deep blue sea of Table Bay. Cape Town is the legislative capital of the country. The city and its surroundings are blessed with an abundance of natural beauty, including the bulk of the indigenous plants of the Cape floral kingdom. It is further blessed with a mild Mediterranean climate – long dry summers and cool wet winters.

Date of the Conference
The conference will open on Monday 28 September 2009 and the closing ceremony will take place on the 1 st October 2009.

Transportation
The Cape Town Airport, for domestic and international flights, is 40 km from the city. A shuttle service will be operating between the airport and hotels.

Accommodation
All delegates will be accommodated in high standard hotels, within walking distance from the conference venue. A list of hotels and other accommodation is available and will be included in the second notice.

Scientific Programme
There will be plenary sessions, with plenary speakers as well as key note speakers on specific fields. Three to four sessions will run concurrently. Poster sessions will also be included. The theme of the conference will be “Science and Technology Supporting Food Security in Africa”.

Excursions and field trips
Field trips with a research background will take place on the Wednesday afternoon.
Excursions, at an additional cost, will be available to some scenic places, like Robben Island, Table Mountain, Cape Point, etc. Booking for these are essential and more information in this regard will follow.

Registration
The registration fee will be $300 (US) for early registration and $320 (US) for late registration. The registration fee for the conference will include a conference bag, luncheons, teas, field trips, the gala dinner and transport (to and from the airport).

Scientific Committee
This committee will be responsible to select and evaluate all abstracts presented and to maintain the high standard of the ACSS Conferences. Abstracts must reach the scientific committee by 31 March 2009. More details will be available in the second announcement.

Logistical Assistance
The company “Going Africa” will be responsible for transport to and from the airport, accommodation, excursions, gala dinner, luncheons, and teas. More details will follow in second announcement.

Additional Information
More information on the programme, accommodation, excursions and guidelines for abstracts, etc. will be posted on the conference web page as it become available.

Come and enjoy the Conference in Cape Town, with the objective to promote food security in Africa

Chairman LOC, South Africa