The British and Irish Region of the International Biometric Society (IBS) is delighted to be hosting the XXIVth International Biometric Conference. The conference will be held at University College Dublin (UCD), Ireland from July 13th to 18th 2008.

The IBS British and Irish Region has a rich biometrical tradition, being the birthplace of R.A. Fisher, who was instrumental in the founding of the IBS. Other early influences on the British and Irish Region include a number of Honorary Life Members of the Society: Frank Yates, David Finney, Peter Armitage, David Cox and John Nelder. Biometry in the British and Irish Region has a distinctive flavour, stressing applied statistics, motivated by biological questions and exemplified by data from real problems, but always underpinned by mathematical rigour. Members of the British and Irish Region have always played a significant part in the development of the International Society, and it is a great pleasure, 45 years after hosting the fifth IBC in Cambridge in September 1963, to invite you to join us at IBC Dublin 2008.

As always the IBC will be a great opportunity for scientific and social interchange - a place to present and learn of new work in biometry, and occasion to meet old and new friends, and the chance to visit a new country experiencing traditional Irish hospitality and the wonderful city of Dublin. What better time and place to celebrate the centenary of Student's famous 1908 Biometrika paper on the t-distribution - W.S. Gosset (Student) worked in the Guinness Brewery in Dublin!

Tom Louis, Organising President

Jean-Louis Foulley, Chair IPC

John Hinde, Chair LOC

Andrew Mead, President-elect

David Balding, BIR President

*Refunds will be made to those who paid full price for the Gala Dinner Ticket.