After considerable review and discussion, we are excited to announce that the
INFORMS 2017 Annual Meeting will take place as scheduled in Houston, October 22-25.
In reaching this decision we spent several days in close consultation with INFORMS leadership, our program committee, and local Houston officials. Yesterday, Bill Klimack, who's chairing the 2017 meeting, personally visited the meeting site and the vicinity.
We are confident that Houston will be more than ready to safely and appropriately host our thousands of guests from around the world. The flooding was outside of downtown, and there are no air or water health concerns for us and our attendees.
We know that thousands of people in the greater Houston area will be working hard to recover from Harvey for some time. Countless numbers of people and organizations are lending their time, contributing their expertise, or donating money to help those in need.
INFORMS will be doing the same as we strive to make a difference for the people of Houston.
As you've probably seen over the past year, the theme for this year's Annual Meeting is, "Houston, we solve problems." In that spirit, we've heard from many INFORMS members and meeting attendees asking us how they can help make a positive impact when we convene in Houston next month. We are developing a coordinated effort to do just that, and will share that information with you as soon as we are able.
We want to share a special video message with you from Mike Waterman, President of Visit Houston. As you'll see and hear in his message, Houston is open for business, and all of us at INFORMS are excited to be there soon.
https://youtu.be/7s2PZTWkx_0
And, if you haven't done so already, please click here to register for the 2017 Annual Meeting.
Houston, here we come!
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Melissa Moore
Executive Director
INFORMS
Catonsville MD
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