Forum 2000 3-99 (September 1999) by Ron Blicq

If you attended Forum 95 in Dortmund Germany (November 1995), you will know what to expect at Forum 2000, which will be held in London, England in the middle of the Millennium Year. This time even more features will be included in the program.

The site is the Commonwealth Conference Centre in Knightsbridge, and the dates are June 12 to 14, 2000. The Professional Communication Society (USA) is one of four cosponsor societies - the others are the Society for Technical Communication (STC) in the US, the Institute of Scientific and Technical Communicators (ISTC) in the UK, and Gesellschaft für technische Kommunikation e.v. (tekom) in Germany. PCS’s particular role in planning and implementing Forum 2000 is Conference Operation and New Media Technology.

Forum conferences are held every five years. They are the place where member societies of INTECOM (The International Council for Technical Communication) meet, exchange ideas, and refresh international relationships.

The planning committee - with representatives from all four sponsor societies met in Cincinnati, Ohio, on May 16, at the site of the STC conference. Top on the discussion list were a decision to explore the feasibility of holding international video conferences, as was done at Forum 95, and to focus on evolving communication technology. As at Forum 95, Idea Markets will be the prime method of presentation (tested and proven on this continent at IPCC 98 in Quebec and the STC 1998 conference in Cincinnati), with pro-and-con debates as a new feature.

 

Forum 2000 Theme

Technical Communicators Leading the Way!

As we enter the new millennium, Technical Communicators will make their mark in history. Documenting technology is our responsibility and, with the advancement of tools and equipment in all aspects of life, Technical Communicators will have to seize the opportunity to lead users in the future.

Travel/Vacation Aspects

The timing of Forum 2000 is ideal for combining the conference with a visit to the UK. In mid-June the weather is ideal and you will be travelling before the majority of British school children break for their summer vacation (about mid-July).

There will be much to see and experience in London at the start of the new Millennium - in particular the Millennium Dome at Greenwich. If you’re concerned that accommodation will be hard to find, the conference committee is assembling a list of hotels from luxury down to bed and breakfast, at which space will be held and attractive prices will be negotiated in advance for Forum 2000 participants.

I look forward to seeing you there!