I left my heart in San Francisco
High on a hill, it calls to me.
To be where little cable cars
Climb halfway to the stars!
The morning fog may chill the air
I don't care!
My love waits there in San Francisco
Above the blue and windy sea
When I come home to you, San Francisco,
Your golden sun will shine for me!

[Words by Douglass Cross, Music by George Cory (1954), made famous by Andy Williams (1962)]

It’s been more than a decade since the ACE met in San Francisco. As someone who hasn’t missed an ACE meeting in a long while, I can’t remember a better venue.  San Francisco, home to a vibrant epidemiologic research community including local host, Pat Buffler, is clearly a premier destination city for our membership.  ACE is long overdue to return to the city on the hill.  

Not to be outdone by the spectacular venue, the organizing committee has developed an outstanding program and schedule of activities. The theme – Improving reality: the role of modeling in epidemiology – will focus on the theoretical and practical issues raised by modern approaches to modeling and on the social and political implications of their use. The program is stocked with internationally recognized speakers known for their candor on matters of public policy and/or modeling including Diana Petitti, Otis Brawley, Sander Greenland, and others. This intersection of methodologic insights, public policy decisions, speakers who pull no punches, and ample scheduled time for audience input should make the program extremely interesting to all practicing epidemiologists.

In addition to the scientific program, the organizing committee has pulled together a schedule of activities that fosters continuing education, networking, policy discussions, job hunting, special events for associate members and those new to College meetings, and recognition of those who have contributed greatly to our profession. Pre-meeting activities begin on Saturday, September 11 with the workshop “Health Disparities: Definition, Measurements, Determinants, and Controversies.”  On Sunday, there will be a full slate of half-day or full-day continuing education workshops including “Bayesian Methods for Epidemiologists” taught by Sander Greenland, and a repeat of last year’s free (yes, free!) career workshop coordinated by Linda Cohen from the Mentoring Committee and Martha Linet and Jackie Lavigne from the National Cancer Institute. The meeting will culminate on Tuesday afternoon with the annual awards luncheon.

I hope that gives you a flavor of what to expect at this year’s ACE meeting. Please consult the College’s website for frequent updates. Remember to submit your abstracts by the May 1 deadline and to register for the meeting and the educational workshops before the last minute. The College’s last meeting in San Francisco set a standard for attendance and enthusiasm. This one should be even better. We’d love for you to be a part of it and look forward to seeing you above the blue and windy sea.