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The NZSEE 2013 Conference is to be held in Wellington over Friday to Sunday, 26, 27 & 28 April 2013. The venue, Michael Fowler Centre, is located within easy walking distance of a range of accommodation options and the services provided by Wellington’s CBD. The conference theme “Same Risks – New Realities” is very topical following the Canterbury Earthquakes sequence and the experience we have all gained over the last two years. The risk has not changed, but our understanding of consequential effects has certainly broadened. Such events have represented a fundamental “reality check” for the wider national and international community. Current target performance should be critically revisited, within a more holistic cost-benefit approach, to better align with the increasing expectations of the wider society. NZSEE is appreciative of the Earthquake Commission and Wellington City Council who are the conferences main sponsors. They have made this conference possible due to their generous support and common interest in enhancing Wellington’s and New Zealand’s “earthquake resilience”. Wellington City Council is one of the most active in the country in terms of implementation of Earthquake Prone Buildings policy, from the initial identification of their seismic vulnerability to the engagement with building owners to identify cost effective retrofit solutions. The earthquake hazard of the Wellington Region is also one of the most highly studied in New Zealand. The GNS Science “It’s Our Fault” project, funded by EQC, ACC, Wellington City Council, and Greater Wellington the Regional Council has provided greater understanding of the earthquake hazards in the region and the associated risks. Tours on Saturday afternoon will inspect some of these earthquake hazard features and building solutions to provide resilience. The recent events in Christchurch will provide a wealth of material to be presented and discussed at the conference. By April 2013 the final reports of the Christchurch Earthquakes Royal Commission should be available with an understanding of the direction that Central Government wishes to act on a wide range of issues that will interest attendees at the conference. As we come closer to the conference date, details of keynote speakers, the conference programme and features of the conference will be posted on the website. Come and enjoy the company of your peers and discuss the current earthquake engineering issues to stimulate ideas and solutions for the future. See you at Conference ! Peter Wood, Conference Chair & Stefano Pampanin, President NZSEE Help Us Promote the Conference! Download this conference poster, display in your office and share with your colleagues. If you would like to receive an A3 coloured hard copy of the poster please email nzsee@confer.co.nz.