Newsletter
Volume 29 | 2006 | Number 1
Welcome to the 32nd Annual ABA Convention in Atlanta
By Maria E. Malott, Ph.D.
ABA Executive Director/Secretary Treasurer
We are excited to welcome you to the 2006 convention in Atlanta, Georgia, which was last the site of an ABA convention in 1991. We expect to see over 4,000 participants from more than 30 countries, including representatives and members of 23 special interest groups, 57 affiliated chapters, our organizational members, and 44 graduate programs, including 16 ABA-accredited programs. Behavior analysts from all over the world will meet to present their work, network, and enjoy the city of Atlanta. Organizational members, employers, and job applicants will meet and discuss employment opportunities; avid readers will be able to peruse behavior analysis related books in our bookstore, which will offer more than 1,000 titles, and to meet authors of behavior analysis textbooks. There will be 577 events, including 92 pre-convention workshops; 224 symposia; 79 paper sessions with 214 papers; 33 panel discussions; 19 invited addresses; 16 tutorials, including four SQAB tutorials; 11 special events; 53 business meetings; 13 reunions; five poster sessions with 683 posters; and the ABA Expo, with 103 presenters. We also have a special celebration sponsored by the Student Committee for all members, the Behavioral Bash, and the annual ABA Social, each providing an opportunity for ABA members to celebrate.
This issue of the ABA newsletter traditionally highlights convention events. The opening event will recognize leaders in the field of behavior analysis with the 2006 Society for the Advancement of Behavior Analysis (SABA) Awards. Kay Dinsmoor will accept the Distinguished Service to Behavior Analysis award in tribute to the late Dr. James A. Dinsmoor and Dr. Philip Hineline will honor Dr. Dinsmoor’s life. The Awards will also recognize Dr. Robert H. Horner (Public Service in Behavior Analysis); Dr. Joseph E. Morrow (International Dissemination of Behavior Analysis); Dr. Nathan H. Azrin (Impact of Science on Application); Dr. J ames M. Kauffman (Effective Presentation of Behavior Analysis in the Mass Media); and the Behavior Analysis and Therapy Program of Southern Illinois University (Programmatic Contributions to Behavior Analysis).
Drs. Ramona Houmanfar and William Palya, Program Committee Co-Chairs, have once again assembled a very strong program, with the dedicated assistance of the Area Coordinators: Dr. Jack Scott (Autism), Dr. John Roll (Behavioral Pharmacology), Dr. Kelly Wilson (Clinical; Family; Behavioral Medicine), Drs. Janet Ellis and Maria Ruiz (Community Interventions; Social and Ethical Issues), Dr. Kent Johnson (Developmental Disabilities), Drs. Jacob Gewirtz and Martha Pelaez (Human Development; Gerontology), Dr. William Palya (Experimental Analysis of Behavior), Dr. Tim Slocum (Education), Dr. Timothy Ludwig (Organizational Behavior Management), Dr. Pamela Osnes (Teaching Behavior Analysis), Dr. David Palmer (Theoretical, Philosophical, and Conceptual Issues), and Dr. William Potter (Verbal Behavior). This is an outstanding group of behavior analysts who have worked arduously to offer exciting programs in their areas of interest.
We hope to see you in Atlanta for another very special convention!