Attendance

Minutes

1. The first part of the meeting was a joint meeting between Ecohydraulics Section and Hydroinformatics Section.
2. The meeting started at 4:30 pm. The Chairman of Hydroinformatics Section, Vladan Babovic (Singapore), introduced the Secretary of Hydroinformatics Section, Yui Liong (Singapore), and Chairman of Ecohydraulics Section, Harm Duel (Holland)
3. Joint Conference of Ecohydraulics and Hydroinformatics Sections
1. The joint conference between Ecohydraulics and Hydroinformatics, to be held in Conception (Chile) in Jan 2009, was first presented. Diego Camano (Chile) gave brief information on the conference related preparation (local organizing committee, website, venue, brochure, organizing committee, etc). The LOC have recently appointed a Professional Conference Organiser – Integrated Meetings Specialist Pte Ltd.
2. Vladan Babovic suggested Philippe Gourbesville (France), Chairman of 7th Hydroinformatics, and Claus Jorde (USA), Chairman of 6th Ecohydraulics be invited as local organizing committee members - Oscar PARRA to implement if LOC agreeable. Post meeting note: Philippe and Claus have been invited and joined LOC.
3. Rollin Hotchkiss (USA) suggested a good coordination between Local Organizing Committee to work closely with IAHR 2009 conference in Vancouver in which Hydroinformatics and Ecohydraulics are also two of its main themes – Vladan Babovic and Harm Duel to ensure liaison occurs.
4. Dimitri Solomatine (Holland) suggested that the conference website visibility be increased so that searching for www.hic2009.org from google or other search engines is facilitated.
5. Dimitri Solomatine (Holland) requested the conference in Chile support workshops or tutorials on topics of interest to participants – LOC to implement if agreeable. Post meeting note: LOC has accepted this suggestion.
6. Ian Clukie (UK) suggested that conference dates and other related matters should be listed in IAHR, IAHS, and IWA - Oscar PARRA to implement.
7. Peter Goodwin (USA) suggested having cut-off dates for conference related matters, such as program set up by 15 Sept 2007 - Oscar PARRA to implement.
4. Joint meeting between Ecohydraulics and Hydroinformatics sections completed at 5:15 pm. Ecohydraulics group members left the meeting room.
   
   Hydroinformatics group members continued their meeting.
5. Meeting Minutes
   Minutes of the last Section Meeting during Hydroinformatics 2006 in Nice, France, were accepted – Moved James Ball, Seconded Arthur Mynett
6. Bye-Laws:
1. Current bye-laws are now on the Section website at http://www.hydroinformatics-community.org/section/by-laws
2. Acknowledged that Hydroinformatics Section now integrates activities of IAHR, IWA, and IAHS – All to note
3. Vladan Babovic suggested to increased the number of ‘office bearers’ by adding the Treasurer; thus, Chairman, Secretary, Treasurer. The appropriateness of Treasurer was questioned since there aren’t any funds or other treasury issues. Yui Liong suggested Secretary 1, Secretary 2 positions. The issue will be brought up again in Conception when the current chairman will retire from the position. A committee to look at the Bye-Laws comprising James Ball (IAHR), Ian Cluckie (IAHS) and Dragan Savic (IWA) was formed. This committee to report at Conception - James Ball, Ian Cluckie and Dragan Savic to action.
7. Niagara Falls Workshop
   Impressions on Specialist meeting on Advances in Hydroinformatics 2007 held in Niagara Falls (June 2007) was discussed. James Ball (Australia) reported that about 30 people attended; a spectrum of topics was covered; North America, European, and Asian experience were shared there; questions on where Hydroinformatics is heading to were raised; papers presented there should be considered to be published as a monograph or appear as special issue in Journal of Hydroinformatics. Ian Clukie (UK) considered the meeting successful with sufficient presentation time allotted to individual speakers. Vladan Babovic (Singapore) suggested having more specialist meetings of this sort in the future.
8. 34th IAHR Congress in Brisbane
   34th IAHR Congress (June 2011) in Brisbane, Australia was briefly discussed. James Ball (Australia) suggested topics be focused on ‘extremes’.
9. HIC2010
1. The hydroinformatics conference in 2010 was discussed. Yui Liong (Singapore) reminded members that 3 contenders for HIC2010 were China, Spain and Australia.
   
2. Australia withdrew after confirmation that it will host IAHR 2011. Selection between China and Spain was required.
3. Prof Tao presented on behalf of China. Nobody present gave a presentation for Spain.
4. Yui Liong requested a vote for selection of the venue. A vote was held with members unanimously voted for Tianjing, China to host HIC2010 - Tianjing, China to organize conference in 2010.
   
10. Journal of Hydroinformatics
1. Vladan Babovic reported the member that an impact factor of 0.595 has been awarded to the journal (after 7 years). He asked future authors, whenever possible, to cited papers published in the Journal of Hydroinformatics.
2. The number of papers (34) in the pipeline is quite healthy. The acceptance rate now is 35% as opposed to 60% 5 or 6 years ago.
3. Arthur Mynett (Holland) suggested that members to give Vlandan Babovic (Chief Editor) a big hand for his hard work. Vladan Babovic in return asked member to thank all past and current editors for their contributions.
11. Any Other Business:
    
1. Adri Verwey (Holland) brought up the attention of a conference in Reno, USA, in May 2008.
2. Dimitri Solomatine (Holland) informed the members that a Hydroinformatics subdivision under EGU has been set up and requested members to participate in the annual EGU meeting.
3. Vladan Babovic and Yui Liong also informed the members the Asia-Oceannia Geosciences Society (AOGS), the counterparts of EGU or AGU, will be meeting this year in Bangkok and in Busan (Korea) in 2008. AOGS has also a Hydroinformatics session.
4. Paul Samuel (UK) brought up the attention of members to a conference in Australia, 2008, with a theme focusing on uncertainties.

The meeting ended at 6:20 pm.

Recorded by Yui Liong
Vetted by Vladan Babovic