Building on the successes of recent joint meetings held between the Society for Reproduction & Fertility and sister societies from across Europe, we are pleased to announce that the next Joint European Conference in Reproduction and Fertility (incorporating the SRF Annual Conference for 2004) is to be held in April 2004 in Ghent. This conference, which is to be hosted by the Veterinary Faculty of Ghent University, will include 2 symposia (one on 'Recent Advances in the Biology of Assisted Reproduction', the other on 'Emerging Topics in Reproductive Endocrinology') with a total of 8 international speakers from Europe and the USA. In addition, the conference will see the launch of the SRF Distinguished Scientist Award, (with a plenary lecture by Professor Ken McNatty), and of the SRF New Investigator Lecture. The Marshall Medal will be presented at the conference dinner, and there will once again be an opportunity for graduate students to compete for the SRF Student Prize.

The historic Belgian town of Ghent provides a fantastic, distinguished setting for this conference with impressive venues such as the Aula and Het Pand. The pre-booked conference hotels are all within easy walking distance of the Aula and there are many public houses in which to catch up with old friends and sample just some of the 687 Belgian Beers!

On behalf of the Local Organising Committee and the Society for Reproduction & Fertility, it is our great pleasure to invite you to join us in Ghent for what promises to be an exciting conference in impressive surroundings. We very much hope to meet you next Spring in Belgium.

Best wishes

Professor Ann Van Soom
LOC Chair SRF

Dr Tony Michael
SRF Programme Secretary