June 09, 2004 Announcement:

We have posted some conference photos on the Ackoff Center (ACASA) weblog:

http://ackoffcenter.blogs.com/ackoff_center_weblog/

We're also asking others who took photos if they'd like to add theirs to
the weblog - please let us know if you would!

In addition to photos, the weblog has many other interesting items for your perusal.

Connectivity to the Outside World

• Both the Sheraton and the dorms will have Internet access available in the guests' rooms,
• For emergency needs, any university members of the organizing committee could also help get Internet access,
• There are four public terminals in the Houston Hall Market (lower level) in the Conference Venue),
• A message board will be set up at the registration area, and
• There is a Copy Center in the same building (Conference Venue).

May 10, 2004 Announcement:

Presentations Revisited

Preparations: Authors are requested to make preparations for:

• 15 minutes of presentation,
• 5-10 minutes of question-answers, and
• a discussion session (on demand basis).

Power Point Slides for Presentation: Presenters may bring their presentation on a CD Rom, Memory Stick, or floppy disk. (We will not have access to a ZIP drive at the Conference Venue. If you bring a ZIP Drive, please inform us early). At the time of presentation, should you wish to make copies of PPT slides for handouts, that would be your responsibility. We would assist by directing you to one of the several copy centers located on campus.

Until Friday May 14, 2004, you could email a copy of your presentations to Nicole Peterson <npeterson@afei.org>. However, we strongly request that you keep a copy of your presentation with yourself (that is your responsibility).

Audio Visual: There will be an LCD projector in each classroom along with an IBM laptop computer that has PowerPoint capabilities. We will have appropriate microphones, etc. for each room.

The above is essentially a summary of information we have been providing to you about presentations for the past few weeks.

May 5, 2004 Announcement:

Author Introductions/ Bios: Authors, please bring a short bio of yourselves (limited to half a page) and hand it to your Session Chair.

Questions for Town Hall Meeting: The Town Hall meeting is the capstone of the conference. Eleven of the thought leaders in systems thinking will be together for an informal discussion. Half of the time will be devoted to questions from the audience. The other half of the time will be devoted to questions which are received before the conference. If you are interested in submitting a question before the conference begins, please email your question to npeterson@afei.org.

May 3, 2004 Announcement:

Maps: Searchable and Downloadable Penn Maps are available at:

http://www.facilities.upenn.edu/mapsBldgs/

April 26, 2004 Announcement:

C. West Churchman Memorial Service @ Penn will be held during the conference week and will be open to anybody who wishes to pay tribute to one of the pioneer systems thinkers of our times:

Time: Wednesday, May 19, 2004 6:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.

Venue: Room F85, Jon M. Huntsman Hall 3730 Walnut Street, Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania

(Charles) West Churchman died on March 21 at the age of 90. During a career spanning six decades, he investigated a vast range of topics including accounting, research and development management, city planning, education, mental health, space exploration, education, and peace and conflict studies, and was widely regarded as a founding father of management science. Professor Churchman received his Ph.D. in Philosophy from Penn before World War II and joined the Faculty of Philosophy at that time. He subsequently served on the faculties of Wayne University [Detroit], Case Institute of Technology [Cleveland], and the University of California, Berkeley. He also served as an adjunct to the Operations Research and Social Systems Sciences Programs in the Wharton School from 1973 to 1986. He was the principal philosopher behind the systems movement and authored several of the most important books on the subject. Churchman is survived by his wife, Gloria, son, Josh Wharton Churchman, and two grandchildren.

April 23, 2004 Announcement:

Registration: All queries regarding registration must be addressed to Nicole Peterson at:

E-mail: npeterson@afei.org
Work: 703 247 9474

Please do not send e-mail queries to icstm2004@hotmail.com or to other organizers. Thank you for your cooperation.

April 21, 2004 Announcement:

Audio Visual: There will be an LCD projector in each classroom along with an IBM laptop computer that has PowerPoint capabilities. We will have appropriate microphones, etc. for each room. Presenters may bring their presentation on a CD Rom, Memory Stick, or floppy disk. (We will not have access to a ZIP drive).

April 15, 2004 Announcement:

Deadline for Reservation with Concession: Please make your reservations on or before May 1, 2004 to get the conference rate for the Sheraton hotel. For details, please see Location Section.

April 10, 2004 Announcement:

Deadline for Registration: Authors are requested to register as soon as possible, and certainly before April 25, 2004.

This would enable us to:

• finalize the schedule and other logistics, and
• prepare the conference proceedings.

If you delay registration beyond this date, we can not guarentee inclusion of your papers in the conference proceedings (at least one author is required to register/ paper).

If you have problems with registration, please contact Nicole Peterson at:
E-mail: npeterson@afei.org
Work: 703 247 9474

April 06, 2004 Announcement:

Preparations: Authors are requested to make preparations for:

• 15 minutes of presentation,
• 5-10 minutes of question-answers, and
• a discussion session (on demand basis).

Detailed announcements regarding audio visual facilities are forthcoming. Currently assume that standard power point would be available.

Memorial Service: A memorial service for Professor C. West Churchman will be held at 6:30 p.m. on May 19th in Houston Hall. Professor Churchman received his Ph.D. in Philosophy from Penn before World War II and joined the Faculty of Philosophy at that time. He subsequently served on the faculties of Wayne University [Detroit], Case Institute of Technology [Cleveland], and University of California, Berkeley. He also served as an adjunct to the Operations Research and Social Systems Sciences Programs in the Wharton School from 1973 to 1986. He was the principal philosopher behind the systems movement and authored several of the most important books on the subject.

March 29, 2004 Announcement:

• Further to paper reviews, the acceptance of papers are being communicated by email. The whole process might take a couple of days, so please be patient. If a formal letter is required, please notify the ICSTM organizing committee and the letter will be sent/faxed;
• For every paper, at least one author is expected to attend the conference and make a presentation at the venue;
• Every attendee is required to register for the conference;
• We also request the participants to read in advance the papers of their colleagues in the sessions they plan to attend; and
• The final program details are being prepared and will be on the website by early next week. The papers will also be made available before the conference.

Previous (Feb or before) announcements:

Due to an overwhelming response, the final paper review and acceptance has been extended to March 31, 2004. On a special case basis, if individuals need an answer in order to make travel or visa arrangements before that time, they may email John Pourdehnad with their request. Thank you.

*** FOR SUBMITTERS OF ABSTRACTS ***