The Western Division and California-Nevada Chapter of the American Fisheries Society’s will hold a joint conference April 15-17, 2003 at the Hyatt Regency Islandia Hotel in San Diego, California. A Commercial Exhibitor and Trade Show will be included in the conference.

The overall theme of the conference is "Productive Pacific Ecosystems - Lake, Stream, Estuarine, and Marine Environments from Alaska to Baja." There will be symposia and contributed papers on topics such as marine and estuarine species research, management, protection, and trends; freshwater ecosystem management; ocean ecology of Pacific salmon; biotelemetry; genetics; water demands and conflicts in North America’s southwest; Mexican fisheries and fish management; watershed restoration; and many more. We expect conference attendance to exceed 500 fisheries professionals and other attendees from private and public agencies, organizations, and academia. Participation in the Trade Show would provide attendees opportunities to view and consider acquisition of each exhibitor’s products, as well as providing exhibitors’ opportunities to meet new customers and to receive feedback and ideas from current customers. Participating exhibitors’ names will be listed prominently in the meeting’s program as well as on the Chapter’s website (www.afs-calneva.org).

The Trade Show will be in the hotel’s Mission Ball Room. The area will be easily accessible to meeting participants. The conference’s daily coffee/refreshment breaks, socials, and Poster Session will be held in the Trade Show area. Access to the Trade Show area will be secured during off-hours. Exhibit setup is scheduled to begin 1 PM, Monday, April 14. Takedown should be completed by 3 PM, Thursday, April 17.

Exhibitor registration fee is $400. There is a 10 % discount for registering by March 24, 2003. Names of exhibitors registering by February 27, 2003 will be included in the conference's program. Names of exhibitors registering between February 27 and March 24, 2003 will be included in a program attachment. All exhibitors registering by March 24 will be listed on the Chapter's website. In addition to Exhibits and Trade Show display space, up to two representatives from each exhibitor will receive admission to the conference, admission and beverage tickets for the three socials, and admission and transportation to Scripps Aquarium, where there will be a special social that includes food and beverages.

The Hyatt Regency Islandia is in a resort-like, landscaped setting in the heart of San Diego’s Mission Bay Park. The hotel operates its own marina, and offers panoramic views of the marina and Pacific Ocean. Ocean fishing and dive charters are available on-site. It is short walk from the hotel to Sea World; and other attractions such as Scripps Aquarium and San Diego’s Balboa Park, Zoo, Wild Animal Park, and business district are a few miles away. The hotel’s address is 1441 Quivira Road, San Diego, California 92109. Its telephone number is (619) 224-1234. Additional information regarding the hotel and its facilities is available on the hotel’s website (www.islandia.hyatt.com).

If you have questions regarding the conference and Trade Show, please feel free to contact Mr. Gary Smith, Trade Show Chair, or visit the Chapter’s website. Mr. Smith’s telephone number is (916) 445-3651. His mailing address is: California Department of Fish and Game, 830 S Street, Sacramento, California 95814. His e-mail address is gsmith@dfg.ca.gov.