The Gordon Research Conference on Hemostasis is widely considered to be the premiere small meeting on the topics of blood coagulation, platelet biology, and anticoagulant pathways, enjoying both national and international reputation. First organized by hemostasis pioneers Earl W. Davie and Oscar Ratnoff in 1973, the meeting has been held biennially since then. The Hemostasis Gordon Conference has a unique focus, bringing together scientists interested in the biology, biochemistry and genetics of platelets and coagulation proteins, physicians involved in the treatment of bleeding and thrombotic diseases and biotechnologists from small and large pharma focused on the development of new therapies to address hemostatic problems.

The next conference will be held on June 29th - July 4th, 2008 at Waterville Valley Conference Center, Waterville Valley, New Hampshire, a new, comfortable, and inviting location that should provide an excellent venue for all participants. This Conference Center, surrounded by the White Mountains of New Hampshire, received the Pinnacle Award from Successful Meetings magazine in 2000, and provides over 15,000 square feet of flexible, highly functional space. Recreational facilities include ready access to biking hiking, golf, tennis, boating, and the Waterville Valley Arts Center. Waterville Valley is only two hours north of Boston, making travel to and from convenient for speakers and attendees from the US and overseas alike. All accommodations, dining hall, poster areas and meeting rooms are accessible to handicapped persons.

It is the goal of the conference organizers that nearly every person attending the conference participates either as a speaker, discussion leader, or poster presenter. At Waterville Valley, the venue for the 2008 Conference, there is space available for 30-40 posters at a session, and four poster sessions are scheduled. The conference Vice-Chair, Nigel Mackman, will be responsible for organizing the posters into sessions that are related to the meeting agenda.

Afternoons will be open for informal discussion among attendees and leisure activities aimed at increasing further interactions and intellectual exchange – traditionally a unique and important part of all Gordon Conferences. Poster presentations will be held before dinner on four of the five days. These are always very well-attended, and provide a dedicated, informal forum for interaction between junior and more senior scientists in the field.

The current draft program of the meeting is shown below. All attendees not currently on the Program who apply to the conference will be encouraged to submit an abstract for presentation at one of our four scheduled Poster Sessions, scheduled to be held in the afternoon Monday-Thursday.