The evolution and development of the International Online Information Meetings Available to Purchase

The first International Online Information Meeting was held in December 1977 in London, England. The thirteenth consecutive Meeting will be held in December 1989, also in London. This paper traces the evolution and development of the yearly International Online Information Meetings. The initial need for such a Meeting and how it has evolved over the years to cater for the changing needs and the different segments of the information community are explored. Some of the diverse topics which have been addressed at the annual Meetings are briefly noted, and mention is also made of the structure and format of the International Meetings which are now being successfully emulated at a national level in various parts of the world. Some differences between the International Online Information Meeting and other national online and specialist information conferences are indicated together with some thoughts on the future of such Meetings.