Phoenix conference takes flight. (From The Executive Director).

The photo essay at the right captures some of the many highlights of the 2003 ACEI Annual International Conference and Exhibition in Phoenix, Arizona, held from April 13-16. After a full day packed with more than 75 exciting and highly informative sessions, the Annual Conference officially began with the Opening General Session featuring Maria Frontain, 2002 Arizona Teacher of the Year. Frontain's professional address focused on her work as a special education life skills teacher in Tucson, Arizona. She has dedicated her career to helping students with special needs learn new academic skills, as well as developing independent life skills.

The days and nights that followed the opening kickoff were filled with more than 200 stimulating presentations and special committee-sponsored sessions. The latter included thought-provoking and timely presentations on: the state of children and families around the world, meeting the needs of diverse learners, current research on play and play environments, teachers as active researchers, and critical issues for teacher education. More information about each of these presentations, as well as all concurrent sessions and research presentations, can be found on ACEI's Web site (www.acei.org).

Conference events included the Opening Gala Banquet, which featured Native American dancers; the Infancy/Early Childhood and Intermediate/ Middle Childhood committee luncheons, with invited speakers Gloria Swindler Boutte, Professor of Education at Benedict College in Columbia, SC, and Theresa Howell, Children's Book Editor at Northland Publishing; and the Author's Luncheon, with Conrad Storad, author of children's books about the flora and fauna in the southwestern United States.

In addition, the World Organization for the Education of Children (OMEP) sponsored a special breakfast meeting titled, "World OMEP: A Leading Advocate for the Convention on the Rights of the Child," with Pat Kostell and Leah Adams as the speakers. The Annual Conference concluded with an outstanding Closing General Session titled, "Bridging the Gap: Children in a Changing Society." Keynote speaker Joe L. Frost, Professor Emeritus at the University of Texas, San Antonio, discussed the changing world over the past few decades. He discussed various societal trends, including changes in families, schools, work roles, and leisure, and examined both the positive and negative effects these trends have had on children.

The Annual Conference is a wonderful time for all ACEI members, and those who share our vision for children, to come together to exchange information and ideas, help inspire new classroom teachers, participate in various special meetings and events, and enjoy the camaraderie of interacting with fellow educators. For many of us, the Annual Conference is a once-a-year opportunity to enjoy the company of our many ACEI friends and colleagues worldwide. Phoenix provided the perfect setting to experience the Annual Conference while exploring the rich heritage and splendor of the American Southwest.

Thanks to the hard work and dedication of ACEI members like Michael F. Kelley, 2003 General Conference Chair and Program Chair; Sally Hurwitz and Cathy Kirk, Co-Chairs, Local Arrangements Committee; and Lisa Wenger, ACEI Director of Conferences, the Annual Conference was an important center for international exchange. It takes three years from start to finish to plan each ACEI Annual Conference, and everyone who dedicated time and expertise is to be commended for a job well done.

With many fond memories of Phoenix to cherish and share with others, we now turn our attention to New Orleans, Louisiana, site of the 2004 Annual Conference. Those involved in planning next year's Annual Conference already have been busy working just as hard as the Phoenix group to ensure that everyone who participates in the upcoming meeting will have a rewarding and enjoyable experience. I sincerely hope that all of you can join us in New Orleans from April 14-17, 2004. Take care and have a wonderful summer.