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Kansas State University

Welcome

Bienvenue à Montréal!

You are invited to the Joint Meeting of Ichthyologists and Herpetologists (JMIH) to be held at Le Centre Sheraton Hotel in downtown Montréal, July 23-28, 2008. The 2008 JMIH includes the 24th annual meeting of the American Elasmobranch Society, the 51st annual meeting of the Society for the Study of Amphibians and Reptiles, the 66th annual meeting of the Herpetologists' League, and the 88th annual meeting of the American Society of Ichthyologists and Herpetologists. This will also mark the 22nd annual meeting of the Canadian Association of Herpetologists and the 18th annual meeting of the Canadian Amphibian and Reptile Conservation Network.

Montréal is where the history of Canada truly began. With Mont Royal dominating its skyline and the St. Lawrence River at its feet, Montréal is the world's largest inland port and a cosmopolitan metropolis. It is located at the historic head-of-navigation of the St. Lawrence River on account of the nearby Lachine Rapids. Until the construction of the St. Lawrence Seaway, the rapids prevented ocean-going ships from venturing any further inland and so Montréal was the point of departure for the adventurers who undertook the exploration of much of North America, traveling by canoe via the upper St. Lawrence and the Great Lakes.

The human diversity of the city gives it a rich intellectual and cultural life like no other. As the world's second-largest francophone city, Montréal's language and culture are predominantly French, but it also has a strong and vibrant English-language presence and is home to cultural communities from around the world. Walking "The Main," as Montrealers call St. Lawrence Boulevard, takes you from Chinatown to Little Italy along what may be the most culturally diverse single street in North America. Four universities are located in Montréal, and they attract a huge number of international students. At McGill University and Concordia University, the language of instruction is English whereas at the Université de Montréal and the Université du Québec à Montréal, the language is French. The districts around these urban campuses are vibrant and alive.

There is so much to see! The 200-acre Parc Mont-Royal has extensive walking and bicycle paths and lookouts that offer glorious views over the city. The remarkable Biodôme features four living ecosystems under its roof and the fabulous Jardin Botanique de Montréal, the second largest botanical garden in the world, is highlighted by especially beautiful Chinese and Japanese gardens. Thirty museums are located in the city. Within walking distance of the hotel, you'll find the Musée des Beaux Arts, the McCord Museum of Canadian History, and the Redpath Museum of McGill University, Quebec's foremost natural history museum. The Pointe-à-Callière Museum of Archaeology and History in Vieux Montréal (Old Montréal) stands on the very site where the city was founded and invites you to walk among the Old City's 18th and 19th century greystone buildings along narrow cobblestone streets.

Montréal is justifiably renowned for its excellent restaurants. Dining outdoors on a terrasse is a Montréaler's sacred rite of summer. A profusion of sidewalk cafés, quaint bistros, chic dining rooms, and luxurious restaurants offer tantalizing local and ethnic specialties in a range of prices to suit any budget. Pick up a nice Bordeaux before you go and enjoy it with your meal at a bring-your-own-wine restaurant. SAQ liquor stores are easily located and all have large selections of fine wines, but if you are in a rush, any depanneur (convenience store) can supply you with a pretty good vin de table and invariably has a large selection of beer. Did I say beer? In Montréal, you'll find a tremendous variety of wonderful beers from local breweries, as well as national brands.

Summer is without a doubt the high point of festivities in Montréal. As soon as the warm weather arrives, major cultural and sports events kick off, including the Canadian Grand Prix Formula 1 race, the Festival International de Jazz, and the World Film Festival. Throughout July, the Montréal International Fireworks Competition stages evening shows that are visible, or at least audible, all over the city from 10-10:30 p.m. every Wednesday and Saturday. Also during July is the world's largest comedy festival, Just for Laughs. It features some 2,000 events, including comedy galas, plays, stand-up shows, and street entertainment in both English and French. Throughout the year, Montréal is also home to the world-renowned Orchestre Symphonique de Montréal, the Grands Ballets Canadiens, and the Cirque du Soleil.

With good reason, Montréal is one of the top three convention destinations in North America, and we expect a big turnout of members and their families for the Joint Meetings in 2008. The quality of the science that will be presented and the opportunities for fruitful interactions will be more than a match to what the city has to offer, and that's saying something. Come to Montréal for joie de vivre!

David M. Green

Local Host
David M. Green, McGill University

Helping to host the 2008 JMIH are the following people and administrative units