Meeting Announcement — The Midwest Region of the Decision Sciences Institute (MWDSI) will hold its 36th Annual Meeting at the Courtyard by Marriott - Erie and Penn State Erie, The Behrend College.
in Erie, PA on April 17-19, 2008.  Proposals from those in business, government, and academia are invited for competitive papers, symposia, tutorials, and workshops on current topics from all areas of the decision sciences.

Competitive Papers — The submission of a competitive paper means the author certifies that the paper has not been copyrighted, published, or presented (or submitted for presentation) at another professional meeting.  Anyone submitting a paper must intend to register for and attend the meeting to present if it is accepted.  The Best Competitive Paper will receive the opportunity to be published in the Mid-American Journal of Business and a $500 cash award if accepted.

Abstracts — Abstracts will be reviewed by the track chairs and will be scheduled for presentation as allowed by the meeting schedule.  Anyone submitting an abstract must intend to register for and attend the meeting to present if it is accepted.

Student Papers — Papers submitted to the student paper competition must be solely of student authorship to be considered for the student paper track and competition.  Awards of $300 for first place, $200 for second place, and $100 for third place are given to outstanding student papers.  Students who do not present their papers will not be eligible for awards.  Presentation of the awards will be at the luncheon on Friday, April 18th.  Student papers will be subject to the same review process as all other papers.  All student papers accepted by the referees will be scheduled on the program and presented during special sessions. Doctoral students, graduate students, and undergraduate students are encouraged to submit.

Symposia, Tutorials, and Workshops — If you wish to conduct a symposium, tutorial, or workshop, submit a summary of at least two pages on what you propose to do in your session and why it is of interest and importance to Institute members.  Follow the guidelines below for submissions.  You are allowed considerable latitude and flexibility as to content and conduct of these sessions.  You must, however, provide your own participants (such as panel members) and any unusual equipment needs.  All participants of symposia, tutorials, and workshops must register and attend the meeting.

Proceedings — The Midwest Region of the Decision Sciences Institute will publish electronic Proceedings in CD-ROM form containing all papers and abstracts presented at the meeting as well as a summary of symposia, tutorials and workshops.  If your paper is accepted, you will receive an email asking if you would like to make any revisions prior to publication in the Proceedings.  If a revised paper is not submitted by the Proceedings deadline, the paper will be published as initially submitted.

MWDSI Fellows Nominations — The designation of Midwest Fellow may be awarded to Members of the Midwest Decision Sciences Institute in recognition of distinguished service to this regional subdivision of the Decision Sciences Institute.  Nominators are required to submit a statement of qualifications which highlights the nominee’s service contributions to the MWDSI.  Please send any nominations to Charles Petersen by February 22, 2008.

Volunteers — Help make the program a success by volunteering to serve as a reviewer, session chair, or any other role!  Contact Joe Muscatello (jmuscate@kent.edu)  Program Chair by February 22, 2008.