The 61st conference registration numbers suggest this conference will see more than 2,200 attendees - and possibly even break New York's all-time record. Over 100 people registered the first weekend beginning 15 January. After the initial rush, registrations are now steadily coming in at an average of 25 per day, with over 1,000 scholars having registered to date. Life and Sustaining members are reminded that, while their conference registration fee is included in their dues, registration is still required if they plan to attend.

We strongly urge those who have not made hotel reservations to do so as soon as possible. Both the Westin Waterfront Hotel and the overflow hotel, the Renaissance Waterfront, have sold out! We have blocked more rooms at the Seaport Hotel. Contact the hotel directly to make reservations. Visit http://www.icahdq.org/conferences/2011/index.asp for more information.

This year's conference will include some new features. The Virtual Conference, first tested in Singapore on a smaller scale, will be online 23 May through 10 June. Wiley-Blackwell has once again underwritten the online event. ICA Divisions and Interest Groups will present over 200 papers-a substantial increase over those presented at the Singapore virtual conference last year. The papers presented are unique to the virtual event and will include interactivity through links and multimedia presentations. Reviewers and authors will be able to dialogue through a comments feature and three chat sessions.

The event will also include live coverage of the opening and closing plenary sessions, recorded keynote addresses, publication and professional development workshops, and even a virtual publications exhibit! The site will be available whenever you are! Individuals registered for the conference in Boston will have access to the virtual conference as well. Those not attending the Boston conference can register for the virtual conference for a nominal fee. More details on the virtual conference can be perused at this site: http://www.icahdq.org/conferences/2011/VCFlyer.pdf.

Also new this year is a meeting for ICA members to chat with the Executive Committee at 9:00 on Friday, 27 May. If you have any questions about the association, be it policies, procedures, decisions made or anything else, you are encouraged to attend.

Members from the various regions around the world are invited to receptions hosted by their At-Large board members representatives. We hope these events foster conversations about hosting regional ICA conferences. Details will be sent out once the particulars have been established.

A reminder that the fourth installment in our theme book series based on the Singapore conference, "Matters of Communication," is available at a reduced preconference price can be ordered through the conference registration form. Registration to the conference is not required for purchase. Click this link for a description: http://www.icahdq.org/conferences/2011/2010theme.asp.

Students and first-timers are encouraged to attend the orientation session held on Friday, 27 May at 10:30. ICA will send an e-mail to all student members with more details. If you are a Student member be on the look-out for an e-mail call for volunteers coming soon. Student volunteers receive a conference fee waiver, a free membership for next year's term and a small stipend for their assistance. Selection is based on financial need. Volunteering at an ICA conference is a great way to become familiar with the conference structure, not to mention exposure to hundreds of fellow scholars!

Finally, the online program is available at the All Academic paper management site. Create your own personalized program by logging in and clicking the My Program link on the upper-right corner. Add the sessions you want to attend and then print it out. Log in is required to save your personalized program. Speaking of the paper submissions, presenters will be able to upload revised versions from 01 April to 30 April.