RE: [Swarmfest2007] Status update, 31 May

[Burkhart Roger M]

Steve wrote:

> To do:
>
> 1. Decide on extending abstracts. Any objections to extending 1-2
weeks?
>

No objections to extending.  We already have a statement on the CFP that
"Late submissions may be accepted if space in the schedule is
available."

> 2. Managing abstracts. We need to immediately get this organized.
>
> -- We need several volunteers to review the abstracts (Jim A., Alex,
> Pietro?).
>
> -- Especially, we need one person to organize the review: respond to
> submittals, keep track of what's been reviewed, send responses to
> submitters, maintain a list of accepted talks... Pietro?
>

I'll be happy to review some abstracts.  I should have them from the
mailing list.

> 3. Make your plans to attend! I would really really like to have a
> quorum for an in-person board meeting. Our venue this year is cheap
and
> easy to get to---I bought airfare yesterday and it wasn't too bad yet.

I currently plan to attend.  The Amtrak fare should be reasonable.

> It would also be really nice to hear talks by board members, to see
what
> the old timers are up to.

FWIW, my most recent brief writeup of my current activity on modeling
and
simulation for engineering was at a January workshop on "Complex Systems
Engineering" that Mike North and I both attended.  A PDF of my position
statement on "A Swarm Ontology for Complex Systems Modeling" is at
http://cs.calstatela.edu/wiki/images/f/f5/Burkhart.pdf
(linked from
http://cs.calstatela.edu/wiki/index.php/Symposium_on_Complex_Systems_Eng
ineering
).

> 3. Banquet plans are starting to gel. Within our budget, we can get a 
> buffet dinner in a very nice space that is only a block or two from
the 
> conference. The Berghoff was a Chicago landmark restaurant (I had my 
> first really bad date there 30 years ago) that now only does catered 
> events (but still serves their own beer). We just got details from the

> caterer and will negotiate something reasonable. 
> http://www.cbcaters.com/?menu=6

Sounds good.  Guess it's the only way to ever eat at Berghoff's anymore.

--Roger