Dear Colleagues

At the ICVG XV Meeting in Stellenbosch, South Africa, the General Assembly of ICVG decided that the 16th Meeting of ICVG would be held in France. We will host the conference in Dijon (Région Bourgogne) from Monday 7 to Friday 11 September. Burgundy, with its historical background, beautiful architecture and scenery, its world-famous vineyards and wines, and is a renowned tourist destination which also offers quiet resort opportunities. We are looking forward to seeing you in Dijon.

Elisabeth Boudon-Padieu and the Organising committee

SCIENTIFIC PROGRAMME

The programme will include keynote presentations by invited speakers, oral presentations and posters on the following topics:

1.  Viruses of the Leafroll disease complex

2.  Fanleaf, Fleck and other spherical viruses

3.  Rugose wood complex Viruses

4.  Phytoplasmas

5.  Emerging diseases and diseases of unclear aetiology

Sessions on each topic will address advances in diagnosis, molecular characterisation, strain diversity and severity, graft and insect transmission, epidemiology, advances in transgenic resistance, sanitation, virus control and crop performance.

Two trips will be organised to vineyards and cellars, to discover the culture and the landscape in addition to regional viticultural tradition. Details will follow in the Second Circular.

VENUE

The Meeting will be held during the week of 7-11 September 2009 in the Conference halls of the "Communauté du Grand Dijon" and the "Conseil Régional de Bourgogne" in the city of Dijon, capital of Burgundy, famous for its history, art, architecture and gastronomy.

Dijon is less than two hrs from Paris by fast trains (TGV).


ACCOMMODATION

Accommodation will be in hotels in Dijon. Walking or easy city transport will take you from hotels to the Conference venues and the historic centre of town. A detailed list of hotels, prices and a map of the area will be available with the Second Circular.

SOCIAL PROGRAMME

Details of the social programme and the programme for accompanying persons will be made available in the Second Circular. Pre-conference and post-conference tours will be organised, depending on interest shown by participants.

SCIENTIFIC CONTRIBUTIONS

English will be the official language of the Meeting. Key notes, contributed papers and posters will be published as Extended abstracts. Rules and formats will be essentially according to former ICVG conferences. Details of the abstract format, the poster format, as well as deadlines for submission of titles and abstracts will be provided in the Second Circular.

REGISTRATION

Registration fees for the scientific meeting will be € 450 for delegates and € 270 for students. Registration fees for delegates include the conference fees, a welcome cocktail, coffee breaks, lunches, gala dinner, field trips and the book of Extended abstracts. Student fees include all the latter items except for gala dinner which will be optional. The above prices may change, based on the number of delegates attending the meeting.

KEY DATES

Expression of interest to attend: 11 October 2008

Submission of preliminary Titles: 11 October 2008

Second Circular: November 2008

Registration and Submission of Abstracts: April 2009

Final Circular To be announced (Second Circular)

Acceptance of paper and poster abstracts: To be announced (Second Circular)

ICVG XVI Conference: 7-11 September 2009

Pre/Post-conference tours: September 2009


CONTACTS AND INFORMATION

ORGANISING COMMITTEE

Elisabeth Boudon-Padieu (INRA)

Silvio Gianinazzi (INRA - CNRS)

Jocelyne Pérard (Université de Bourgogne - Chaire UNESCO Culture et Traditions du Vin)

Pascale Seddas (INRA)

Xavier Daire (INRA – CRECEP)

Mary Jo Farmer (INRA)

Denis Clair (INRA)

Dominique Millot (INRA)

Sandrine Rousseaux (Université de Bourgogne- Institut Jules Guyot)

Caroline Chatillon (SEDIAG)

Etienne Herrbach (INRA Colmar)

Jean Le Maguet (INRA Colmar)

CONFERENCE SECRETARIAT

Ms Sophie Nollot

INRA – UMR PME

BP 86510 – 21650 DIJON Cedex

Phone : 33 (0)380 69 34 40 / 33 (0)380 69 30 00

Fax: 33-(0)380 69 35 53

Email :

A website in construction will be soon available and the homepage URL sent by Email.

The ICVG website (http://www.icvg.ch) will also host all the information. We thank the ICVG Secretary and webmaster Dr Paul Gugerli.