You are coming to MPIG. End of discussion.

Don't worry! You still have two weeks to send in your abstracts and registration for the upcoming Midwest Primate Interest Group meeting (September 24-25) in Chicago. Deadline is August 15 - see www.mpig.org for information. We especially encourage undergraduate and graduate students to present their work at MPIG. All primatological topics/foci are welcome: behavioral, morphological (soft tissue/skeletal/fossil), evolutionary, comparative, biomedical, psychobiological, ecological, ethical, educational, wild/lab/zoo...get the picture? Remember, you do not have to be in the Midwest to join us at MPIG. All are welcome!

Here's a brief rundown of events:
Friday, September 24: Opening night of MPIG 2010 is at the Field Museum, with many thanks to Dr. Robert Martin! This includes guided tours of two major exhibits*, the presentation of the 2010 Distinguished Primatologist Award to Dr. Russell Tuttle of the University of Chicago, and a reception.
*YOU MUST SIGN UP IN ADVANCE for a guided tour of EITHER "Ancient Americas" OR "Evolving Planet." The tours will be held from 3:45-4:45. This is the only available time slot for seeing the exhibits as part of MPIG. PLEASE CONTACT ME BY FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 10 TO SIGN UP FOR A TOUR, INDICATING WHICH EXHIBIT YOU WOULD PREFER TO SEE. If there is an overwhelming imbalance, we may schedule a tour of only one exhibit.

Saturday, September 25: A full scientific program at the UIC College of Dentistry. Tours will be available of the duBrul archives, a permanent exhibit on the history of dentistry at UIC, and the Comparative Primate Biology Laboratory. A huge variety of restaurants is readily accessible within easy walking distance of the campus. There will be a party Saturday night.

Remember these three dates:
1. August 15, abstract due
2. September 2, hotel room block expires
3. September 10, deadline to sign up for guided tour at the Field Museum
(Note that the abstract deadline, and details about the Friday night schedule as described in this email are correct. Changes will be made to the website information as we make the final arrangements.)

Please check out this snazzy guide to help you make arrangements for your trip to Chicago. This map might give some ideas to maximize the awesomeness of your Chicago experience.