The 24th to 28th of September last year saw 600 delegates from across the globe converge on Vancouver for VTC2002-Fall, the 56th Vehicular Technology Conference. The conference was run by Chairman Professor Vijay K Bhargava and his team of assistants from the University of Victoria, while the technical programme was the responsibility of Dr Annamalai Annamalai Jr from Virginia Polytechnic, who received the 2001 IEEE Leon K. Kirchmayer Prize Paper Award from IEEE President Joel Snyder at VTC2001-Spring in Rhodes.

Dr Annamalai was previously a student of Professor Bhargava, so good liaison was assured! The conference secretariat was in the hands of Catherine Chang, who had to handle over 3000 email exchanges with delegates in the run up to the conference.

In addition to the technical sessions, two panel sessions were organized during the conference, on wireless initiatives and technologies for systems beyond IMT2000, and WLANs and WPANs (Wireless Personal Area Networks). Unfortunately the banquet speaker could not attend. In compensation, Vijay arranged for an extra glass of wine, much to the delight of the delegates.

A key aspect of a professional conference is the opportunity which exists for renewing old acquaintances and anyone who has been to a conference Professor Bhargava has organised will know that this is a particular specialty. The student fee was slightly higher than usual, allowing everyone to attend all the functions; normally the student rate does not include meals or social functions. This allowed a great sense of community to develop, as can be seen from the photographs.

Indeed, conference photographer Serkan Dost could constantly be seen snapping delegates for a slideshow during the banquet and for the web site.

Another ever present sight was that of Vijay circulating round the venue, greeting delegates, ensuring everything was running smoothly and that people were enjoying themselves. Great fun was indeed had by all!