The 12th International Society for Microbial Ecology Conference will be in Cairns Australia from August 17‑22, 2008. This is late in the winter for this region of the world but remember it is the tropics so the temperatures will be optimal. We have an innovative and vibrant scientific program planned for this tropical paradise location. For example Professor Norman Pace is the prestigious Jim Tiedje Awardee and we have six esteemed scientists as Plenary presenters – Professor Bo Barker Jørgensen, Dr. Mitchell Sogin, Professor Paul Rainey, Professor Roberto Kolter, Professor Steven Lindow and Professor Nancy Moran. More than 90 eminent microbial ecologists will participate in 23 exciting symposia.