I am delighted that Madrid will host Intergalva 2009 - the leading international forum for the latest developments in hot dip galvanizing – from 8 to 12 June 2009. The conference continues the series that began in Copenhagen in 1950 and was last held in Naples in 2006.

Madrid, the capital of Spain, is a cosmopolitan city that is characterised by intense cultural and artistic activity and a very lively nightlife. There are many direct international flights to Madrid’s new Barajas airport making easy access for the worldwide galvanizing industry.

The conference and exhibition will be held in the Melia Castilla Hotel, Madrid – a five star hotel with state-of-the-art conference and business facilities. There will also be an exciting social programme and an excellent programme of tours for accompanying persons.

The conference programme will cover:

• Market and product development
• Process technology
• Environment and safety
• Regulatory status

Intergalva 2009 is organised by European General Galvanizers Association (EGGA) and hosted by the Spanish galvanizers association - Asociación Técnica Española de Galvanización (ATEG).

To emphasize the international flavour of Intergalva 2009, all conference sessions will feature simultaneous interpretation from and into English, Spanish, French, Italian, German and Chinesse.

Delegates can also visit some of Spain’s most advanced galvanizing plants and see the world’s biggest exhibition of plant, equipment and services for the galvanizing industry.