Dear colleagues,

Best wishes for 2008, and we look forward to seeing you in Namibia in just under seven months’ time.

The manuscript reviewing and editing process for the 2008 Hibernation Symposium volume is nearing completion. Many of you have already received a decision letter; if not, it will be arriving shortly. We would like to take this opportunity to thank those of you who have reviewed manuscripts in the last few months.

A couple of issues:

1. Posters

   The poster session(s) will be an integral part of the meeting, and we would like to encourage as many delegates as possible to present posters. Now that the book chapter submission phase is largely over, we will be using the online submission system for poster abstracts. To submit a poster abstract, please go to http://turners.conference-services.net/authorlogin.asp?conferenceID=1174&language=en-uk and follow the instructions. Once logged in, click on “Click here to make a new submission”. When submitting poster abstracts, please ignore any sections or instructions that are specific to manuscripts. The new deadline for submitting poster abstracts is 31 March 2008.

2. Travel arrangements and dates

   We have had several queries regarding travel arrangements and arrival/departure dates. First, please note that the nearest major airport to the conference venue is Walvis Bay. Although Swakopmund does have a small airport, it is not, to the best of our knowledge, served by any commercial airlines. Transfers from Walvis Bay airport to the conference venue will be available, and can be booked on the Hibernation Symposium website. Delegates should plan on arriving in Swakopmund on the 6th, and the last scheduled event, the conference dinner, will be on the evening of the 11th. Delegates wishing to depart immediately after the meeting should arrange to leave on the 12th.

Regards,

Barry and Andrew