Optimization Days is an annual conference organized alternately by the Centre for Research on Transportation (C.R.T.) and the Groupe d'Études et de Recherche en Analyse des Décisions (GERAD). The aim of the meeting is to survey current research trends in optimization methods and their applications, and to provide an opportunity for interaction between various research groups from around the world. Topics of interest include, but are not restricted to:

Mathematical programming; heuristics; constraint programming; optimal control theory; numerical methods of optimization; statistical methods; applications to engineering, management science, transportation, economics, urban and environmental problems, resource management, biology, telecommunications networks, robotics, expert systems, energy modeling, etc.

All those interested in optimization methods and their present or potential applications are invited to participate. We are especially interested in talks on new methods of optimization and their applications. The languages of the conference will be English and French.

In 2004, Optimization Days will be held at HEC Montréal, 3000 chemin de la Côte-Sainte-Catherine, Montreal, near the Campus of the Université de Montréal. Here is a list of the invited plenary speakers:

• Anant Balakrishnan, University of Texas at Austin
  Advances in Modeling and Solving Network Design Problems
• Jean-François Puget, ILOG
  Cooperation between Mathematical Programming and Constraint Programming: the State-of-the-Art
• Gilles Savard, École Polytechnique de Montréal
  Bilevel Programming Approaches to Revenue Management and Price Setting Problems
• Ed Silver, University of Calgary
  An Overview of Heuristic Solution Methods with Illustrations from Inventory Management and Production Scheduling

Optimization Days 2004 will be followed immediately by the Spring School on Transportation that will be held at École des Hautes Études Commerciales from May 12 to 14, 2004.

These two events will also be followed by the CORS/INFORMS Joint International Meeting to be held in Banff, Alberta, May 16-19, 2004.