The Association's first formal committee meeting took place last week in London and was very productive. We will publish summary minutes of the meeting soon - but the most important points were:-

• Reality PR has been appointed to handle the association's press relations - and a campaign is now being developed. They have wide experience already in search.
  
• Kingston Smith has been appointed to handle the association's adminstration. They are experts in running associations and will free resources for the committee to focus on action rather than admin.
• Payment of association membership is now possible using a credit card online.
• The search engine liaison committee will be announced at the end of July. Invitations are currently going out.
  
• The editorial committee will be announced at the end of July. Invitations have already gone out.
• A paper on standards and the association's approach will be published in August.
  
• A series of discounts for members will very soon be available and will be announced very soon.
• Legal and insurance issues are being investigated on behalf of members.