I've been to a symposium on chestnuts organized by the ISHS and it was very well done and I expect this one on figs will also be good.  Anybody plan on going?

September 29 - October 3, 2009, Meknes (Morocco): IV International Symposium on Fig
http://www.ficus2009.ma/

First announcement
The IV International Symposium on Fig will be held at the National School of Agriculture of Meknès, Meknès (Morocco) from September 29 to October 3, 2009 under the auspices of the Moroccan Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries, the International Society for Horticultural Science (ISHS) and the Centre for Advanced Mediterranean Agronomic Studies (CIHEAM).

All aspects related to Fig cultivation and growing (genetic resources, germlasm characterization, biotechnology and molecular markers utilisation, cultural practices, pest management, post-harvest, economics; etc.) will be covered taking into account the most recent scientific and technical findings.
The program will include thought-provoking lectures by invited speakers in each of the sessions covered, as well as a diverse selection of oral and poster presentations. During the symposium, you will have the opportunity to visit germplasm fig collections, fig nurseries, fig drying units and fig orchards through technical tours across the main fig production areas.
Information related to the symposium will be periodically upgraded on the symposium website. Therefore, interested participants are warmly invited to frequently visit this website (http://www.ficus2009.ma) in order to be informed about any program and deadlines change. Selected social events will be scheduled for participants and accompanying persons. A two days post-symposium tour will be arranged for interested participants.
English will be the official language of the symposium.

For further information contact the Convener:
Prof. Dr. Messaoudi Zerhoune
Dept. Arboriculture-Viticulture
Ecole Nationale d'Agriculture de Meknes
B.P. S/40
50000 Meknes
Morocco.

Phone: (212)61353653, Fax: (212)35300238
E-mail: messaoudiz@yahoo.fr
E-mail symposium: ficus2009@yahoo.fr
Web: http://www.ficus2009.ma/

Signed up, yet, Harvey?

I may have to bounce thru there on my travels with work to the mid-east. Hmmm.

No, I haven't signed up Jon and really can't get away between around September 8th and October 15th with chestnut harvest being a busy daily event for me.  I attended the ISHS chestnut symposium in Chaves, Portugal in October 2004 and it was well done.  So far, my interest in figs is strictly non-professional so no international trips are planned at this time.  If I was planning to grow figs commercially, I probably would find a way to attend this.

Jon, you really should go and report back! :)

Looks like a fun trip!

Hello,
The ISHS I and II International Symposim on Fig from 1998 and 2000 resulted in an excellent collection of papers. These are found in ISHS Acta Horticulturae publications #480 and #605.

If anyone from our group goes to this event, it would great to hear about how the event went, interesting happening and some photos. I would also recommend that the publication (a collection of the various papers that were presented) that results from the event be examined. I am sure that it will be loaded with very interesting information.

If the cost of the publication is prohibitive, you may be able to view a copy at your local university science library or ask them to borrow it from another institution.

Ingevald

Harvey, if I go, are you buying?

Jon, I'll partially sponsor your trip by more plant purchases! ;)

P.S. Still waiting on Namwah

Also, I already tentatively have one other international trip planned, a chestnut conference in northern Italy in mid-October.  Last year I sold out of chestnuts in early November but I've had about 400 new customers sign up to get notifications for the 2009 crop so I will most likely sold out earlier yet.  The chestnut conference is in the Italian language like one I attended in 2001 (not sponsored by ISHS) but it's still something I can learn from even when I only know a little of the language.