CONTACT:
Cara Battaglini
703.647.4917
cara@sla.org

SLA 2006 Features Major Conference Support from
LexisNexis, Factiva, Thomson Scientific/Dialog, Springer

Alexandria, Virginia USA, 24 May 2006 ?The Special Libraries Association (SLA) will host its 97th Annual Conference in Baltimore 11-14 June, and will have significant support from many organizations in the information industry. Once again, LexisNexis, Factiva, Thomson Scientific and Dialog, and Springer will serve as Major Conference Partners for what is widely considered the largest knowledge and information management event in North America.

?Committing to these partnerships with SLA reflects the dedication these companies have to advancing the information profession and the work of our members,? said SLA Chief Executive Officer Janice R. Lachance. ?These companies have returned to our annual conference as major partners year after year and I want to thank them for the continued support. We are excited to have them back again with us this year in Baltimore for another successful conference!?

Over 5,000 people are expected at SLA 2006, and the Major Conference Partners have pledged support for a variety of specific events, services, and activities for SLA members to enjoy as well as sponsored meetings and activities:

LexisNexis
LexisNexis? continuing dedication and support to SLA will be on display through a range of activities in Baltimore. Of particular note is their sponsorship of the Opening General Session, featuring a keynote address by broadcast journalist Gwen Ifill of American public television?s Washington Week and The Newshour with Jim Lehrer. LexisNexis is also the title sponsor of SLA?s Innovations in Technology Award, and will sponsor the SLA Board of Directors meetings, along with the meetings of various SLA chapter and division board meetings.

Factiva
Factiva?s strong involvement and commitment to SLA continues this year with their sponsorship of the Closing General Session, featuring Walter Mossberg, author of the ?Personal Technology? column in The Wall Street Journal. Factiva also develops the content and provides speakers for the sellout seminars of the SLA TechZone and other continuing education classes. Their support of the Factiva Leadership Award since its inception has highlighted information professionals? commitment to developing competencies for career growth.

Thomson Scientific and Dialog
Thomson Scientific and Dialog will continue their history of support to SLA by sponsoring the Info-Expo Networking Reception on its opening day. They also continue to support the SLA Leadership Development Institute, the SLA Hot Topic Series and a number of SLA division events. This year, the two organizations go a step further with sponsorship of the SLA President?s Award. This award is given to an individual in recognition of a specific major achievement in the field of librarianship or information science.

Springer
For the past two years, Springer has exhibited strong support of SLA and the information profession by sponsoring the SLA Professional Award. This award is presented to an individual in recognition of a major achievement in the field of librarianship or information science. In addition to the award, Springer will be sponsoring Info-Expo hall refreshment breaks and a number of Division events and activities.

About SLA
The Special Libraries Association (SLA) is a nonprofit global organization for innovative information professionals and their strategic partners. SLA serves over 11,000 members in 75 countries in the information profession, including corporate, academic, and government information specialists. SLA promotes and strengthens its members through learning, advocacy, and networking initiatives. For more information, visit us www.sla.org.