SPECIAL EVENTS Organ Concert Friday, May 15th 20:00 ­ 22:00 h Graham Blyth, renowed organist and technical director of Soundcraft, will play the famous Adema organ in the Moses & Aäron Church. He has given organ recitals at all AES Conventions since 1993, which have always proven very popular. This is a free concert, no tickets required. Opening Ceremony Saturday, May 16th 08:45 ­ 08.55 h Kick-off of the 104th AES Convention! Special Presentation on DVD-Audio Specifications Saturday, May 16th 13:00 ­ 14:00 h 'How DVD Brings New Enjoyment to Audio' Bike H. Suzuki, JVC, Chairman of DVD Forum Audio WG4. Version 0.9 of the DVD-Audio Specifications will have been established by this time. The DVD-Forum Audio Working Group members had many meetings over a two-year period with the recording associations IFPI, RIAA, and RIAJ to listen to what the music industry requires for the new audio format. The new Audio Specifications will surely open the window for new enjoyment of audio.

Special Presentation on Super Audio CD Saturday, May 16th 14:30 ­ 15:30 h 'The Next Generation Audio Carrier' Akira Suzuki, Sony Corp. As the successor to today's CD, Super Audio CD offers not only a substantially higher sound quality, but also multichannel sound reproduction. This combination approaches the best possible representation of the original concert or studio recording. Additionally, playing a SA-CD on today's CD player offers a sound quality better than from existing CDs. AES Convention Party Saturday, May 16th 19:00 ­ 22:00 h A come-as-you-are happening in the Aviodome at nearby Schiphol Airport. Drinks and finger food in the surprising ambience of this Aviation Museum with plenty of historic aircraft on display. Meet and talk to your colleagues and friends, make plans for the coming days or just enjoy yourself. Buses will take you to the Aviodome leaving from the RAI after the AES Exhibition has closed and the Technical Sessions have ended. The ticket price of NLG 40 includes transportation, entrance fee to the museum and food and drink. It is highly recommended to purchase your ticket using the Advance Registration form, as capacity is limited. Golden Anniversary Celebration Sunday, May 17th 18:30 ­ 20:00 h We will celebrate the 50th Anniversary of the Audio Engineering Society by looking back at the AES history and important audio developments. AES Awards will be presented to 'deserving contemporaries'. A famous keynote speaker will conclude this event. After sipping a celebration drink in the foyer you will still have plenty of time left to go out for dinner. No tickets required. Free entrance for all 'badged' participants. Technical Council ­ Open House Monday, May 18th 17:30 ­ 19:30 h Spend two 'happy hours' in a friendly atmosphere with wine, cheese, and some cool jazz. Socialize with the members of the present nine AES Technical Committees and find out what the Technical Council is about. Meet the members in person, discuss the technical directions important to the AES membership, chat with the experts, voice your ideas, and even get involved. Two new Technical Committees will be introduced as well: one on Studio Practices and Production by George Massenburg, and the other on Microphones and Applications by David Josephson. Brief presentations of all Technical Committees will start at 18:00 h. Golden Anniversary Dinner 19:30 ­ 22:00 h A fabulous sit-down dinner will be served in the historic 'Wintertuin' (Wintergarden) of Grand Hotel Krasnapolsky, located in the very center of Amsterdam (Dam Square). This fin-de-siècle hotel is renowned for its haute cuisine cooking and lovely ambience. While sipping an apéritif and talking to your friends, you decide whom you want to have dinner with and then select a table. The well-balanced five course dinner will be accompanied by excellent wines. Live piano music will create just the right atmosphere to enjoy the food and company. Tickets for this special dinner costing NLG 145 can be purchased both in advance and onsite. All food and drinks are included. Dress code is business suit. As capacity is limited, reserve your tickets early! (C) 2000, Audio Engineering Society, Inc.