1. Viability Review, July, 2007 ACM SIGEVO SIG on Genetic and Evolutionary Computation ACM SIGEVO SIG on Genetic and Evolutionary Computation Viability Review, SGB Meeting, July, 2007 A Brief History… Became a provisional SIG in January, 2005 Became a provisional SIG in January, 2005 Became a regular SIG in June, 2006 Became a regular SIG in June, 2006 Was the successor to ISGEC, the International Society for Was the successor to ISGEC, the International Society for Genetic and Evolutionary Computation Genetic and Evolutionary Computation

2. Viability Review, July, 2007 ACM SIGEVO SIG on Genetic & Evolutionary Computation Financials Two GECCO conferences and one FOGA workshop held by SIGEVO prior to June 2007 Two GECCO conferences and one FOGA workshop held by SIGEVO prior to June 2007 Fund balance, June 05: ($23,184) Fund balance, June 05: ($23,184) Fund balance, June 06: $82,631 Fund balance, June 06: $82,631 Required balance: $95,432 Required balance: $95,432 Each GECCO had surplus ($38K in 06) Each GECCO had surplus ($38K in 06) FOGA was essentially breakeven FOGA was essentially breakeven Membership dues yielded $11,765 in 06 Membership dues yielded $11,765 in 06 Summary: SIGEVOs financial health is steadily improving, conferences operating as planned Summary: SIGEVOs financial health is steadily improving, conferences operating as planned

3. Viability Review, July, 2007 ACM SIGEVO SIG on Genetic & Evolutionary Computation Membership and Leadership SIGEVO membership grew from 466 to 506 in first year, including 59 student members; June, 2007: 610 members SIGEVO membership grew from 466 to 506 in first year, including 59 student members; June, 2007: 610 members 57.76% total retention; over 60% among Professional members 57.76% total retention; over 60% among Professional members First SIGEVO Executive Committee election held in spring, 2007, bringing EC to full 18 members (6 elected biennially, 6-year terms), and including 4 new members. First SIGEVO Executive Committee election held in spring, 2007, bringing EC to full 18 members (6 elected biennially, 6-year terms), and including 4 new members. New SIG officers were elected at EC meeting in London, July 8, 2007 New SIG officers were elected at EC meeting in London, July 8, 2007 Leadership for next GECCO in place; site selected; new, younger leaders emerging; GECCO-2009 General Chair appointed, site selection process to begin shortly Leadership for next GECCO in place; site selected; new, younger leaders emerging; GECCO-2009 General Chair appointed, site selection process to begin shortly Proposal for FOGA-2009 was acted on at EC meeting in July, 2007 – Orlando, Florida chosen for January, 2009, chaired by Paul Wiegand and Annie S. Wu (at Univ. of Central Florida) Proposal for FOGA-2009 was acted on at EC meeting in July, 2007 – Orlando, Florida chosen for January, 2009, chaired by Paul Wiegand and Annie S. Wu (at Univ. of Central Florida)

4. Viability Review, July, 2007 ACM SIGEVO SIG on Genetic & Evolutionary Computation Conferences and Workshops GECCO-2007 (London, July 7-11); 640 registrants GECCO-2007 (London, July 7-11); 640 registrants High-profile debate (GECCO Keynote Event): Richard Dawkins, Steve Jones, Lewis Wolpert, at Museum of Natural History High-profile debate (GECCO Keynote Event): Richard Dawkins, Steve Jones, Lewis Wolpert, at Museum of Natural History Each GECCO is growing by about 10%, and weve flourished at our first outside-US GECCO! Each GECCO is growing by about 10%, and weve flourished at our first outside-US GECCO! FOGA-2007 was successful, and book-format proceedings emerges soon FOGA-2007 was successful, and book-format proceedings emerges soon FOGA-2009 planning underway; GECCO-2008 site selected (Atlanta) FOGA-2009 planning underway; GECCO-2008 site selected (Atlanta) GECCO-2009 general chair chosen; site selection begins shortly GECCO-2009 general chair chosen; site selection begins shortly Planning proceeding on new SIGEVO-sponsored conference in Shanghai, May, 2009, to draw together Asian and Western researchers; many SIGEVO leaders will participate Planning proceeding on new SIGEVO-sponsored conference in Shanghai, May, 2009, to draw together Asian and Western researchers; many SIGEVO leaders will participate Business committee structure helps to assure financial stability of conferences, even though technical leadership is constantly new Business committee structure helps to assure financial stability of conferences, even though technical leadership is constantly new

5. Viability Review, July, 2007 ACM SIGEVO SIG on Genetic & Evolutionary Computation Member Benefits SIGEVOlution, the quarterly SIGEVO newsletter, launched in June, 2006; fifth issue just released (v2, no.1) SIGEVOlution, the quarterly SIGEVO newsletter, launched in June, 2006; fifth issue just released (v2, no.1) Excellent content, regular publication, 22-50 pages (latest was 40) Excellent content, regular publication, 22-50 pages (latest was 40)

6. Viability Review, July, 2007 ACM SIGEVO SIG on Genetic & Evolutionary Computation Other Member Benefits Registration discounts at GECCO, FOGA Registration discounts at GECCO, FOGA ACCESS to SIGEVO-provided content in DL ACCESS to SIGEVO-provided content in DL Eligibility for awards being redeveloped under SIGEVO Eligibility for awards being redeveloped under SIGEVO Eligibility for best-paper awards and competitions held at GECCO Eligibility for best-paper awards and competitions held at GECCO