The CTICC is centrally located on Cape Town's northern foreshore beneath Table Mountain and in close proximity to the world famous Victoria & Alfred Waterfront. 

The Organizing Committee has put together a program of interest to scientists, growers, researchers, suppliers, marketers, educators and partners around the congress theme ‘Harvesting a Vision’. According to the organisers, there's something for everyone to make it the truly ‘must attend’ event of 2008.

Registration starts at Tuesday 20 May, from 15.00. More than 300 delegates can be expected to register. A Welcome Cocktail awaits delegates at the Arabella Sheraton Grand Hotel, from 18.30.

The 17^th ISMS Congress will be opened by ISMS president Greg Seymour, after a welcome word by SAMFA Chairman Ross Richardson (8.30, Auditorium 2).

Academic program

The academic program includes poster sessions (diplay at the Clivia Conservatory) and some 75 presentations on topics as Virus X, Trichoderma, cultivation, food safety, breeding, medicinal aspects and marketing.  

Six keynote lectures have been scheduled (all in Auditorium 2):

• Prof Peter Romaine (USA) Underground Drugs: Manufacture of biopharmaceuticals in mushrooms. (Wednesday 21 May, 09.30);
• Dr. Juluri Rao (Northern Ireland): The enigma of dsRNA associated with mushroom virus X. (Wednesday 21 May, 10.55);
• Prof Lise Korsten (SA) Food Safety Assurance in the mushroom industry. (Thursday 22 May, 08.30);
• Prof. Dr. H.A.B (Han) Wösten (The Netherlands) Genomics of mushroom-forming fungi. (Thursday 22 May, 10.55);
• Chen Liangcheng (China) A general review of the Chinese mushroom industry. (Friday 23 May, 09.00);
• Mary Jo Feeney, (USA) Nutrition Research - The future begins now. (Friday 23 May, 13.40); 

On Wednesday 21 May, an interesting panel discussion on Aggressive Trichoderma is scheduled, chaired by Dr. Danny Rinker in Auditorium 2 at 15.40. The panel consists of Dr. Helen Grogan, Dr. Johan Baars, Dr. David Beyer and Prof. Peter Romaine.

Greg Seymour will give Feedback on the Mushroom Disease Managing System and The Mushrooms and Health Global Initiative (see the interview with Seymour in this magazine) on Thursday 22 May in Auditorium 2, at 10.00.

A special grower’s programme has been planned by the organising committee on Thursday 22 May in Auditorium 2, starting at 11.40. World renowned mushroom experts such as Jan Gielen (climate control), Geoff Martin (phase 1 issues) and Eric Vernooij (casing issues) will be giving lectures.

The Closing Ceremony and promotion for ISMS 2012 will begin at 15.05 on Friday 23 May.

Trade show

In addition to presentations on the very latest science and technology in the technical program, the

Congress Trade Show, located at the Jasminum and Strelitzia Restaurants has a strong international representation. More than twenty companies are participating. 

Meetings

On Wednesday 21 May a CEO’s Meeting is held in Room 1.41-1.44, at 15.30. It is the second time CEO’s of national mushroom organisations will meet. The first was organised in 2006 at the Dutch Mushroom Days.

The ISMS itself will confer on Tuesday, before the official beginning of the conference.

Farm walks

On Saturday 24 May, farm walks are planned to Denny Mushrooms and Medaillon Mushroom Farms near Cape Town, followed by lunch at a wine farm.

Congress Celebration

On Thursday 22 May, a Congress Celebration will take place with the theme being a Cape Malay Street Party, which is a unique culture to the Cape Town region.

See you in Cape Town!