OPTIMA Mathematical Programming Society Newsletter 80

September 6, 2009. I’m writing in the wake of ISMP 2009 in Chicago, which ended last weekend. All involved in the organization were delighted with how well the meeting ran, and hope that all attendees (over 1200 of them) found it to be a rich and valuable experience, both professionally and personally. There are too many highlights to recount here; suffice to say the event’s success indicates that our field of optimization is in excellent health. I have no doubt that our research will continue to increase in depth and breadth in the coming years – and in its influence on research and understanding in many other areas. I thank profoundly the many people who worked so hard to make the event a success, starting with John Birge, who chaired the organization and program committees.