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As this is my first communication for 2017, I will begin by wishing you a happy and prosperous New Year.

ASM members have much to look forward to in 2017 as far as scientific meetings are concerned.

From 13–15 February, the inaugural Australian Microbial Ecology (AusME) meeting was held at the Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity in Melbourne. Please check http://ausme-microbes.org.au/ for details.

This year’s Annual Scientific Meeting will take place at the Hotel Grand Chancellor in Hobart from 2–5 July (http://www.asmmeeting.theasm.org.au/). The National Scientific Advisory Committee and Conference Local Organising Committee have prepared a varied and stimulating scientific program, together with some exciting social events based on Tasmania’s renowned foods and beverages.

For the more adventurous, the International Union of Microbiological Societies (IUMS), of which ASM is a member, will meet at the Sands Expo & Convention Centre in Singapore from 17–21 July. Over the span of 5 days, this meeting will bring together three congresses: the 15th International Congress of Bacteriology and Applied Microbiology, the 15th International Congress of Mycology and Eukaryotic Microbiology, and the 17th International Congress of Virology (http://www.iums2017singapore.com/). The scope of this meeting guarantees there will be something for everyone.

September will be a particularly busy month for members, with the back-to-back 2017 Tri-State Scientific Meeting and Parasitology Masterclass in Darwin, NT, from 22–25 September (http://theasm.org.au/assets/ASM-Society/Current-Event-Flyers/Tri-State-2017-Save-the-Date-flyer.pdf), followed by BacPath14: The Molecular Biology of Bacterial Pathogens, which will take place from 25–28 September at the Adelaide Hills Convention Centre in Hahndorf, South Australia (http://bacpath.org/).

Please make every effort to attend at least one of these meetings. If you haven’t been to a scientific conference for some time, you may be surprised to find how rewarding and fulfilling they are from both a personal and professional point of view.

ASM Council is also working on various reforms to our bylaws to make it easier for individuals to become Professional Members (MASM) and Fellows (FASM) of ASM, and for all members to contribute to the ongoing development of our Society. I will have more to say on this in my next communication. In the meantime, please explore the links above and select the conference(s) you will attend this year.