Abstract

Along with all the sciences, our discipline is evolving quickly in all areas from pure research to applied and professional. The ASM was formed more than half a century ago to promote the discipline of microbiology and its role is now more important than ever. The national leadership is conscious of the need to adapt and change and has been moving in the past few years to do so, with gathering momentum. One of our most important platforms is our national meeting, developed to promote the exchange of ideas. The membership of the society is increasingly drawn to other conferences to meet their needs and this must be recognised and accommodated. Our approach to meetings including our national scientific meeting must evolve with it, as in comparable societies.