​     International conferences are always tricky matters. In addition to making sure the subject or topic of the conference is well circulated and well received, there is the matter of accepting papers and then providing the necessary means for conferees to attend the meetings. Many of the previous ICHO meetings have been successful due to the careful stewardship of ICHO volunteers. Additionally, for much of the second half of the twentieth century, there was a fair amount of financial support from international and national organizations, including oceanographic organizations keen to support the history of their discipline. 

     Much has changed in the twenty-first century. Thankfully, the Cold War has ended, but with it has come a marked diminution in discretionary funding in oceanography, especially for activities like ICHO. Added to this was the gradual economic slowdown in the twenty-first century, becoming more of a economic disaster after 2008. Of course, the tragic event of 11 September 2001 and its aftermath have contributed to make international travel much more difficult and more expensive as well.

     All these considerations may have come together this past summer and fall to create the "Perfect Storm" as a backdrop for planning Athens 2012. Of course, the Greek economic crisis and the EU response to this problem have not helped matters at all. The net result was an exceptionally low response to the call for papers. George Vlahakis and I discussed this situation for several months before eventually reaching the decision that the meeting must be delayed and, as a result, you have all read about the cancellation of this summer's meeting, with plans for an upcoming meeting in the near future.

     Perhaps some of us "jumped the gun" on supporting plans for a meeting in 2012. After all, the Naples meeting had just been concluded in 2008 and, normally, subsequent meetings are planned from six to eight years later. Thus, we are hoping that with added encouragement, close cooperation, and clever intellectual planning we will enjoy one of the best ICHO meetings ever when we gather in Athens. The exact date has not been determined, although 2014 seems very reasonable.

Keith R. Benson

President, ICHO