Welcome to the 2004 Combinatorial Chemistry Gordon Research Conference! As chairman, my goal is a high-quality program that appeals to everyone and makes this a memorable meeting.

Based on the feedback from this year's questionnaires, I will be doing my best to ensure the following:

1. A bigger poster session. Remember, this can only happen with your participation! Those who promise to present a poster will be given priority in registration and guaranteed a place.

2. Keeping to the schedule. I would like the time limits to be strictly enforced. Most speakers include some introductory material that is unnecessary given the audience background and level of sophistication.

3. Sufficient detail in industrial talks to keep the audience interested. If this is in doubt, I will get a brief outline from speakers beforehand. I plan to have some case studies of combinatorial and medicinal chemistry in action, with full disclosure of structure and activity. Similarly, if there are two talks from the same organisation, they must be on completely unrelated topics.

4. Larger academic representation-some of you have complained it was too low this year. I am aiming for a high percentage of up and coming and less well-known speakers who you are unlikely to have seen at other conferences.

5. Avoid speakers who have recently presented in this meeting. I have prepared an exhaustive database of all previous editions, plus all previous chairs and discussion leaders. I draw your attention to the indefatigable Sam Gerritz- 3 oral presentations, and a session chair every year since 2000.

If you have any comments or suggestions, please do not hesitate to contact me.