Leadership
2011 AAPG ACE General Chair
The 2011 Houston ACE organizing committee has developed what should be an outstanding event. We offer a powerful technical program comprised of engaging forum panels and scientific sessions, a terrific slate of short courses and field trips, engaging luncheon speakers, and fun activities for guests and attendees.
Registration – As of six weeks prior to the convention, 3,748 people had registered, 655 ahead of the 2010 registration and 215 above the 2006 Houston ACE Convention.
Technical Program – Approximately 1,152 abstracts were submitted. A screening of the best 70% of the abstracts was required. The final program consists of 400 oral abstracts and 400 posters presented in 11 themes and eight concurrent oral sessions. New this year will be an “E-Poster” lounge to provide attendees the opportunity to watch many of the posters in PowerPoint form. Posters will be presented in an all-day format with presenters available for the morning and afternoon breaks. Theme chairs were used successfully for the first time in an ACE program to enhance the speaker/poster selection process.
Short Courses – A total of 17 short courses are offered, 12 pre-convention and five post-convention. Five are fully booked or almost fully subscribed.
Field Trips – Nine field trips are offered, five pre-convention and four post-convention. Three are fully booked or almost fully subscribed.
Sponsorship – As of March 1 (six weeks prior to ACE), $663,000 has been raised. This compares to $637,650 raised in the 2006 ACE in Houston.
Speakers – The four All-Convention speakers are former and current astronauts Schmitt, Reilly, Sullivan, and Feustel. Feustel is a current NASA astronaut and is questionable to attend due to his space shuttle Endeavour launch immediately (April 19+) after the convention. The Michel T. Halbouty Lecture speaker is Shell Americas EVP David Lawrence; John Hofmeister (EMD), Karen A. Harbert (DPA/PROWESS), Dr. Edward Overton (DEG), and Dr. John Grotzinger (SEPM) are additional featured speakers.
Teacher Program – The Teacher’s Program will be held on Monday instead of the usual Sunday schedule. This will enable the teachers to witness the lectures, exhibits, posters, and attend the All-Convention Luncheon, plus a post luncheon private reception with the speakers. Thirty teachers have registered as of March 1. Sponsorship covered the cost of substitute teachers for these attendees.
Guest Activities – Three field trips and two special events at the convention are scheduled.
The effort by the committee leads and members has been amazing. I want to extend my sincerest thanks to the AAPG Committee leaders: Marsha Bourque, Linda Sternbach, Carl Steffensen, Tom Bulling, Andrea Reynolds, Denise Stone, Gretchen Gillis, James Cearley, Evelyn Medvin, Andrea Reynolds, Mike Sweet, Laura Banfield, Alison Henning, Mike Jobe, and Bonnie Milne-Andrews; Vice Chairs including Craig Dingler, Paul Basinski, Deborah Sacrey; SEPM Vice Chair Morgan Sullivan and the SEPM Committee; The ACE Theme Chairs; HGS President John Tubb; and the entire AAPG Convention Department staff. The dedication to create a special event by these volunteers and many other volunteers has been inspiring.