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 American Society of Parasitologists, 84th Annual Meeting, August 14-17, 2009

Dear North American Parasitologists,

As of this date we have 49 persons registered for the annual meeting of the American Society of Parasitologists (ASP) hosted in Knoxville TN.  Last year the meeting in Texas was attended by 202 Parasitologists from all regions in the United States, Mexico, and Canada.  Dr. Sharon Patton (Univ of Tennessee) and I are working hard to plan a meeting that will be enjoyable and affordable for everyone to attend in these economically trying times.  Drs. Herman Eure (Wake Forest Univ) and Kelli Sapp (High Point College) are investing much time and energy into putting a Scientific Program together that will be informative, instructional, inspiring, and entertaining.  We are hopeful that everyone in ASP will take advantage of the close proximity of the meeting to the major airline hubs and interstate junctions to attend and support the significant efforts of their colleagues to plan and host our National meeting.  Reduced registration may be available on a first-come basis to a limited number of ASP student members willing to work as projectionists, and assistants to the Local Arrangements committee.  However, it is important that you register on-line as soon as possible and send an e-mail to indicating your desire to assist during the meeting.

Knoxville offers many attractions that make it a desirable location for attending the meeting and enjoying some off site recreational activities.  The Pigeon Forge-Gatlinburg area features the Dollywood Theme Park and numerous other water-park, miniature golf, and go cart attractions for families traveling to the meeting with children.  There is also a little bit of shopping available for those who enjoy the bargains offered in the conspicuous Outlet Mall venues.  Knoxville has 3 National Park-Service managed parks and scenic recreation areas within a 1.5hr drive of Knoxville for anyone looking to enjoy the natural beauty of the region.  The Great Smoky Mountain National Park has the highest biodiversity of any other region in the United States.  Cumberland Gap National Park commemorates the role of this dramatic landscape feature as the gateway to opening the western frontier over 200 years ago.  The Big South Fork National Scenic and Recreation area offers many opportunities for camping, hiking, whitewater canoeing, and mountain biking.  Numerous trail guides and online resources are available to assist folks planning hikes to sample these exceptional natural resources.  I am also able to assist and direct you to informative links for planning your forays into the wild East TN biome.

No matter what your expectations are: (1) to attend and participate in an awesome scientific program, (2) have a great time socializing with other Parasitologists and graduate student cohorts, (3) to visit East TN and enjoy its scenic beauty and wonderful diversity of recreational activities, IT ALL BEGINS WITH COMPLETING THE ON-LINE REGISTRATION FOR THE ASP ANNUAL MEETING.  The budget for the annual meeting is based on 200 registrants.  To date we have only 25% of the required commitments necessary to hold the meeting and meet our budget.  If the meeting is under attended, ASP will be responsible for making up the difference and encumber significant loss of operating revenue as a result.  It is up to each of us as loyal members of the Society to make sure that ASP remains on a solid economic foundation to foster the discipline of parasitology for future students and scientists.  Please make the commitment to ASP and attend the annual meeting.  You can complete your on-line registration by following this link Sign up for the 84th Annual ASP Meeting ,

Knoxville Tennessee

To be held at the Crowne Plaza-Knoxville, Knoxville,Tennessee

Get PDF File.  ASP 2009 Call for Papers.

On-line Registration Link Sign up for the 84th Annual ASP Meeting