Editor's Letter

So, it is that time of year again - Conference. It seems only yesterday that we were in Paris enjoying ourselves. The 1996 Paris Conference was a great success, well organised by INA. The 1997 FIAT/IFTA Conference in Budapest promises to be another brilliant event. The number of delegates once again exceeds our expectations and the sessions are teeming with highly qualified speakers. As expected, the success of last year's conference has made everyone eager to attend this year.

The sessions are of course the raison d'°tre of FIAT/IFTA's conferences. For many of our members this is the main opportunity every year to hear news from and about the audiovisual archive sector, to learn from experts as well as from colleagues who have been longer in the field. This does not mean that the sessions are the only point of interest. In between and after sessions many new contacts and friends are made. Over a coffee or a drink, maybe dinner, many lifelong contacts are made. For informal and quick ways of learning about the goings on in the world of audiovisual archives an annual conference is not enough.

I would like to point to a few details in the programme of this year's conference. First there is the new FIAT/IFTA Innovation Award which has been voted on by the P&PC and the winner will be presented during the closing dinner (see articles in this issue). Secondly there is the excursion to the wine district of Eger. This will give us an opportunity to see a very important and famous part of Hungary as well as give us time to relax our brains before the final days of the conference. (A complete programme will be handed out in Budapest.)

Some of you who read this could unfortunately not attend the 1997 FIAT/IFTA Conference in Budapest, but I hope you can join us in 1998 in Florence.For those who cannot attend the papers will be available through me.

Gösta Johansson
Editor and Administrative
Secretary