When the 35th IGC comes to Cape Town in August 2016, it will be the culmination of many years of hard work. When an event is many years ahead, it is not always easy to keep the excitement levels high, but now something has changed. There is a new spark and a renewed enthusiasm. I believe this is because for the first time we can say "the 35th IGC will be held in Cape Town next year."

Next year! if you look at the front page of this website you will see the countdown clock. As I write this, it is 585 days until the opening ceremony. For those of who who are planning to attend pre conference workshops and field trips, it is even less time than that before you will be standing at the foot of Table Mountain - one of the world's most iconic geological structures.

Over the next few weeks, I will be sharing with you the progress we are making as we plan to welcome you. You'll be getting sneak peaks behind the scenes as we prepare for what we know will be the most memorable IGC ever held.

This week we are holding our first LOC meeting of 2015, and on Sunday I am heading for Vancouver to attend the IUGS meeting and to present the progress we have made to the heads of all the IUGS Commissions.