I am pleased to invite you to the 9th World Congress on Parasitic Plants, which will be held June 3-7, 2006 in Charlottesville, Virginia. The Congress continues a long tradition of regularly assembling the world's experts on parasitic plants for professional and scientific meetings, in Virginia, thanks to the long tradition of parasitic plants reseach in this state, and its significant contribution to the understanding of plant parasitism.

The registration fee for the Congress is $375. The fee includes lunches, refreshment breaks, field trips and a banquet dinner. A $20 Membership fee will also be charged when you register.

The Congress will bring together scientists representing a wide spectrum of disciplines, research approaches, and geographical representation of parasitic plant reserach.

Assembling specialists with different perpectives, all focused around the common theme of plant paratism, provides a stimulating environment for learning, exchanging ideas, and connecting with old and new colleagues.

The Congress will include presentations of the cutting edge of parasitic plants research and of management technologies of parasitic weeds. A major emphasis in the Congress will be the fostering of interaction among participants.

On behalf of the Organizing Committee and Society, we are looking forward to meeting you at the Congress,

Danny Joel
IPPS President