The 15^th Australian Barley Technical Symposium will be held 18-21 September 2011 at the Hilton Adelaide Hotel. The Symposium will be attended by over 200 international and Australian delegates representing all segments of the barley value chain from strategic research through to the brewing industry.

"Barley for Business" is the theme of the 15^th ABTS and this will be reflected in sessions addressing industry consolidation, privatisation of plant breeding and corporate investment in research. The major changes in the structure of barley breeding will be covered in a special session providing an overview from all organisations conducting barley breeding in Australia. New advances in barley genetics, genomics, plant physiology, quality and agronomy will be presented and discussed by internationally recognised research leaders, young scientists and students.

The symposium will also offer a valuable opportunity for delegates to network with colleagues and discuss future directions for crop research in Australia and throughout the world, as well as changes in the barley production, marketing, malting and brewing sectors.

The Symposium venue, the Hilton Adelaide Hotel, is one of the premier conference venues in the city, and being located on Victoria Square in the centre of Adelaide, is close to a variety of accommodation options and to all the CBD has to offer. Being close to the newly developed tramway, it also enables easy access via public transport to the relaxed beachside suburb of Glenelg.

This year, the Symposium has been scheduled to directly precede the Hart Field Day. The Hart Field Day is renowned as one of Australia's premier cropping field day events, attracting over 400 farmers and industry specialists. Located less than two hours drive north of the Adelaide CBD, attendance at the field day will be offered as a post conference tour on Thursday 22^nd September. Other post conference options will also be available including a ½ day tour of the Waite Campus and a tour of a Viterra Malthouse and Coopers Brewery.

For those interested in presenting a paper for the 2011 Symposium, abstract submissions will be done online, via the conference website.

For further information regarding the Symposium, please check the conference website, at http://www.fcconventions.com.au/ABTS2011/

We look forward to seeing you in the heart of Adelaide in September 2011 for an exciting, interesting and thought provoking 15^th Australian Barley Technical Symposium.

Associate Professor Jason Eglinton
Chair, ABTS 2011 Organising Committee