In order to better coordinate the construction phase, Mr. Werner Binder - long-standing society member - assumed an active role in exhibition management. As site manager he was responsible for purchases, liaising with the authorities and other administrative aspects. Dr. Mitic, our scientific director, became spokesperson for exhibition management. The society's statutes were modified to better reflect its new tasks. I accepted the call of Univ.Prof. Dr. Jörg Ott, the new president since 1998, to fill the newly anchored CEO position.