1. SIGEVO Viability Report SIGEVO Viability Review SGB Meeting, September 2011 Wolfgang Banzhaf SIGEVO = SIG for Genetic and Evolutionary Computation

2. SIGEVO Viability Report Financial summary Fund balance has been growing consistently Fund balance has been growing consistently From 2006: $83K to 2010: $299K From 2006: $83K to 2010: $299K Discretionary funds 2010 at $168K Discretionary funds 2010 at $168K Conference sponsorship Conference sponsorship Annual GECCO conference (NA & E) Annual GECCO conference (NA & E) Biannual FOGA workshop (NA & E) Biannual FOGA workshop (NA & E) GEC Summit 2009, China GEC Summit 2009, China Student support for GECCO attendance Student support for GECCO attendance $20K+ per year over recent years $20K+ per year over recent years Membership dues of $13K in 10 Membership dues of $13K in 10

3. SIGEVO Viability Report SIGEVO member benefits Reduced registration rates at sponsored conferences/workshops -> increase reduction for members? Reduced registration rates at sponsored conferences/workshops -> increase reduction for members? Access to publications via DL Access to publications via DL GECCO (since 1999), FOGA (since 2007) GECCO (since 1999), FOGA (since 2007) SIGEVO mailing list SIGEVO mailing list SIGEVOlution, electronic newsletter, now in volume 5, just released 5(3) -> keep regular schedule SIGEVOlution, electronic newsletter, now in volume 5, just released 5(3) -> keep regular schedule Awards Awards SIGEVO Impact Award SIGEVO Impact Award Best paper awards at GECCO Best paper awards at GECCO GECCO Humies award (10K award money) GECCO Humies award (10K award money) -> develop more awards -> develop more awards

4. SIGEVO Viability Report Goal 1: Developing Membership and Leadership SIGEVO membership right now steady at 550 - 600 -> upward potential SIGEVO membership right now steady at 550 - 600 -> upward potential Total retention is between 57% and 63% over the years, retention after first year between 75% and 85% -> increase retention using incentives Total retention is between 57% and 63% over the years, retention after first year between 75% and 85% -> increase retention using incentives SIGEVO Executive Committee has 18 members, with elections every two years for a third of the committee -> renewal of leadership is healthy, but needs to be fostered SIGEVO Executive Committee has 18 members, with elections every two years for a third of the committee -> renewal of leadership is healthy, but needs to be fostered New SIG officers were elected at EC meeting in Dublin in July (two new, two old) New SIG officers were elected at EC meeting in Dublin in July (two new, two old) Moving to longer planning horizons, progress on GECCOs up to 2015 Moving to longer planning horizons, progress on GECCOs up to 2015 Conference leadership is getting younger. We scout for talent. Conference leadership is getting younger. We scout for talent.

5. SIGEVO Viability Report Goal 2: Improve Conferences and Workshops GECCO-2011 (Dublin, July 12-16); 600+ registrants GECCO-2011 (Dublin, July 12-16); 600+ registrants GECCO attendance between 400 and 650, larger if held in Europe -> go for more international venues GECCO attendance between 400 and 650, larger if held in Europe -> go for more international venues Acceptance rate steadily pushed down, now at 38% -> continue to becoming more selective Acceptance rate steadily pushed down, now at 38% -> continue to becoming more selective FOGA-2011 (Austria) was successful, will continue on a biannual schedule -> we are open to add more events FOGA-2011 (Austria) was successful, will continue on a biannual schedule -> we are open to add more events GEC Summit 2009 in Shanghai our first venture to Asia -> valuable lessons learnt GEC Summit 2009 in Shanghai our first venture to Asia -> valuable lessons learnt GECCO-2012 to be held in Philadelphia, 2013 in Amsterdam GECCO-2012 to be held in Philadelphia, 2013 in Amsterdam Growing globally has challenges (mainly in Asia/Pacific region) Growing globally has challenges (mainly in Asia/Pacific region)

6. SIGEVO Viability Report Future Plans Increase our ACM involvement Increase our ACM involvement Address the award situation Address the award situation ACM at large ACM at large partly historical partly historical Liaison with industry Liaison with industry Career development Career development Online material Online material Conference and journal quality/quantity Conference and journal quality/quantity Improvements to internal organization Improvements to internal organization Globalization Globalization