View source for Talk:Swarm: SwarmFest

==Announcing: SwarmFest 2007==
Swarm Development Group is pleased to announce SwarmFest 2007, the 11th of our [[Swarm:_SwarmFest|annual conferences]] of agent-based modelers and users of Swarm and other ABM platforms. The dates will be '''July 12-15'''.

SwarmFest is an interdisciplinary, informal conference that provides the opportunity to present and discuss innovative modeling work and tools and techniques for ABM. We especially encourage presentation of work that may be too new, esoteric, or methods-oriented for other scientific forums. Swarm Development Group also uses SwarmFest to gather feedback from the modeling community on development and support priorities.

This year we have a particularly exciting location: DePaul University's "Loop" campus in the heart of downtown Chicago (Richard M. Daley, Mayor). Our hosts will be Steve Lytinen and colleagues at DePaul's [http://www.cti.depaul.edu School of Computer Science, Telecommunications, and Information Systems]. In recent years, Chicago has become one of America's most livable and lively urban centers. The summer weather is often excellent, with the midwest heat tempered by cool breezes from Lake Michigan. 

Among the nearby amenities are:
*Chicago's lakefront with its parks, beaches, museums, etc;
*The [http://www.artic.edu/aic/ Art Institute], one of the best art museums in the country; 
*Outdoor art and free concerts at the new [http://www.millenniumpark.org/ Millenium Park];
*The famous Michigan Avenue shopping district; and
*The near north side's dining and nightlife. 

Access from O'Hare and Midway airports is via an easy, inexpensive train ride. 

Housing options will include inexpensive dormitory rooms and discounts at several hotels, including the historic [http://www1.hilton.com/en_US/hi/hotel/CHIPHHH-The-Palmer-House-Hilton-Illinois/index.do Palmer House].

We are expecting to have several training classes available on Thursday, July 12; and regular presentation sessions on the 13-14th. We will also have a poster session. 

The official call for papers will be circulated soon. It will include deadlines for submitting abstracts, and registration costs and deadlines. 

Questions should be addressed to: swarmfest2007@swarm.org.