I C U M S A 

INTERNATIONAL COMMISSION FOR UNIFORM METHODS OF SUGAR ANALYSIS

Invites you to attend:

the 26th Session Meeting

Delray Beach, Florida, USA

October 1-3, 2008

Delray Beach, Florida, USA (Pictures not to be copied)

Advancing scientific standardized methods on sugar analysis 

for 

the world sugar industry

The International Commission for Uniform Methods of Sugar Analysis (ICUMSA) invites you to attend the 26th Session Meeting on October 1-3, 2008, following the SPRI Conference on Sugar Processing Research at the Delray Beach Marriott, Delray Beach, Florida, USA. Plans are underway with the hotel for the technical sessions and tour program. The schedule of events with meeting information will be posted below as we near the conference date.  This web page will post all information regarding the meeting and tourist information, including visas, port of entry information and application forms.  A registration fee of $250 to cover the conference cost will be applied.  Registration fee covers, technical tour on Wednesday, October 1, 2008, lunches, coffee breaks, technical and poster sessions for both days and Closing Reception on Thursday, October 2, 2008.

SUGAR PROCESSING RESEARCH INSTITUTE, INC., (SPRI) organization will hold its 2008 Conference on Sugar Processing Research: "Diversifying Research and Processing of Raw and White Cane and Beet Sugar," at the Delray Beach Marriott, Delray Beach, Florida, USA, on September 28-October 1, 2008.  SPRI will arrange in advance a technical tour at the end of the conference. Both SPRI and ICUMSA delegates are invited to attend the technical tour.

For further information, contact: Sugar Processing Research Institute, Inc., at spri@ars.usda.gov

We are looking forward to two very successful meetings in 2008 and hope you will enjoy our host country of USA.

Program

 

 

USA

Land of Dreams and Opportunities 

Welcome

One of the world’s youngest countries the United States of America has made its mark on the world scene in a very short time.  Known as the land of dreams of opportunity, the United States of America has become the melting pot of the world with a rich diversity of communities of people and cultures from around the world.  A Federal Republic, which achieved its independence from one of the world powers in the 18th Century, the United States of America continues today as one of the richest countries in the world.  North America; lower 48 bounded on North by Canada, on East by the Atlantic Ocean, on South by Mexico and Gulf of Mexico, and on West by the Pacific Ocean with a total contained sq. mil of 3,619,969 or 9,375,720 sq. km (excluding the Great Lakes) with Washington D.C. as its capital city.  The country has 50 Greenest cities as a model for successful and rapid environmental action on the world scene.  Other territories also make up part of the United States, which are American Samoa, Guam, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.  On March 3, 1845, the state of Florida joined the United States of America and will host this years SPRI Conference. 

History and Culture of Delray Beach, Florida

Spanish Florida, which included SE part of present United States was sighted and explored by Juan Ponce de León in 1513 and named it “Florida,” Spanish for “Flowery Easter,” on Easter Sunday 1513.  Settled by the Spanish in 1565, Florida was known as the Spanish Territory East and West Florida.  West Florida was claimed by the United States as part of the greatest land deal of its time, The Louisiana Purchase in 1803.  Under the Adams-Onis Treaty of 1819, Florida is organized as the territory of Florida and purchase for 5,000,000 by the United States.

For more than 100 years, Delray Beach has grown and prospered. A small group of Michigan settlers, led by William Linton and David Swinton began settling in the area in 1894. Inspired by the natural riches of the area, they tilled the land and grew crops year round. The environment also provided them with plenty of fresh fish, crab and lobster from the ocean.

Delray's early history was dominated by agriculture. By the turn of the century, a number of Japanese farmers came to the area to grow pineapples. They formed the Yamato Colony and farmed on land now occupied by the Boca Raton Airport and FAU.  You can learn more of the Yamato Colony at the 200-acre Morikami Museum and Japanese Gardens, a scenic park that draws more than 150,000 visitors a year.

In 1898 the area was named Delray, a Spanish derivative meaning "of the king". When the railroad system built by Henry Flagler expanded from West Palm Beach to Miami, farmers began exporting their harvest of pineapples, tomatoes, peppers, beans and other fruits and vegetables. The Delray Beach Chamber of Commerce was founded in 1925 and the town was booming with tourist trade and a healthy, self-supporting economy. The same is true today. The very reasons people came to Delray Beach in 1894 are the same reasons Delray Beach is such a nice place to live and grow today.

As the 20th century progressed Delray Beach grew from a farming community into a bustling city known for its unique architecture and thriving downtown. Delray Beach became a winter resort where artists, writers and cartoonists came to escape the brutal winters and hone their crafts. Nationally known cartoonists Fontaine Fox and W.E. Pat Enright were among the luminaries who called Delray home.

Today, history plays a big role in the city's identity and future direction. Delray Beach is considered a leading figure in the state's growing historic preservation movement. The city has designated several neighborhoods as historic districts; places where residents are encouraged to preserve old homes as a living link to Delray's illustrious past.

We welcome you to the United States of America and hope you enjoy your stay in the historical and beautiful city of Delray Beach, Florida.