In this ever shrinking world where people, products and pathogens move rapidly around the globe, our collective expertise and experience will enable us to find answers to the infectious disease challenges confronting us all. It is in this shared spirit of scientific excellence and collegial collaboration that preparations have begun for the 14th International Congress on Infectious Diseases to be held in Miami, Florida from March 9-12, 2010. Building on the unqualified successes of our most recent biannual meetings in Lisbon and Kuala Lumpur, the International Society for Infectious Diseases is delighted to return to North America for the 14th ICID. We are very excited about coming to Miami, an internationallyrecognized multicultural, multilingual and dynamic city that serves as a welcoming entry point into the United States. Miami also is home to outstanding universities and medical centers, and has a worldwide reputation as a pioneer city in international medicine, infectious diseases research and practice. Whether you are a clinician, researcher, educator, public health official or practitioner of any of the disciplines that contribute to the care of patients with infectious diseases, please mark your calendars and make plans to join thousands of your colleagues from approximately 100 different countries in Miami at the Congress. The 14th ICID will continue the unique educational approach that distinguish International Congresses on Infectious Diseases from other meetings, namely a scientific program that runs the spectrum from cutting edge science to state-of the-art practices to global infectious disease control, all presented by a truly international faculty and attended by participants whose diverse backgrounds create an incomparable opportunity for the worldwide exchange of information for the benefit of our patients and societies. Plenary lectures by world leaders in infectious disease and microbiologic research, clinical practice and health policy will be complemented by symposia organized, moderated and presented by experts in their respective fields, interactive meet-the-professor sessions headed by engaging faculty and daily oral and poster presentations based on submitted abstracts. Importantly, the Congress allows members to renew and expand their participation in the Society and non-members to become members that contribute to its future. The Congress also provides a perfect environment for stimulating intellectual exchange and camaraderie, essential elements for the creation of new ideas and partnerships.