It's hard to believe that almost a year has passed since my first discussions with Elaine and Richard McEnery about taking on the project of evolving what was then the Northwest Exhibition of Environmental Photography, which they directed, to what is now World in Focus. With the retirement of Elaine and Richard, it appeared the event's six-year legacy was in jeopardy of winding down for lack of a new director. By my consenting to take it on, that legacy will now continue with even greater scope and influence, providing the Northwest with a premier conference for the photography community. The mission statement of the event is, "To promote the awareness of the critical need to preserve and protect the beauty and diversity of our natural world and its cultures through the visual messages of photographers." World in Focus intends to do just that -- impressively! As the event nears, it is exciting to consider what's in store for those who attend this special presentation. To start with, 91 photographs by 62 photographers were selected from 325 entrants and more than 1,700 high-quality images in the World in Focus Photo Contest and will be exhibited for six weeks at Rainier Square in downtown Seattle starting on June 1. It's a sensational visual collection of work that will capture the imagination and shouldn't be missed. The Opening Reception is scheduled for the afternoon of June 6. That evening, the event moves to Benaroya Hall's Taper Auditorium for the World in Focus Opening Ceremony, Photo Contest awards presentations and a very special keynote presentation by Seattle's own world-renowned nature photographer, Art Wolfe. Art is famous for his highly visual and entertaining programs, and this one will set the tone for what's to follow over the next two days. That Saturday and Sunday, June 7-8, the program will move to the Seattle Center for the World in Focus Seminar Series. The lineup of speakers is a "who's who" of some of the foremost photographers in nature, environmental and endangered cultures photography, and other industry specialists. Their imagery will dazzle you, and their seminars are sure to educate and inspire anyone interested in our natural world and its cultures. Altogether, five of seven PhotoMedia Photography Persons of the Year will take part in the World in Focus Seminar Series: Art Wolfe (1996), Phil Borges (1997), Marita Holdaway (1998), Robert Glenn Ketchum (2000) and Natalie Fobes (2002). An adjacent hospitality room will provide an atmosphere for networking and relevant activities for attendees throughout the two days of the seminars, including book and poster signings with the speakers, portfolio reviews with industry professionals, special video presentations and more. Many know me as the publisher of PhotoMedia and the producer of PhotoMedia's 1993-96 PhotoMedia Expo, which attendees still remember with great fondness. This is the first event we've produced since then, and I promise you, we'll make sure it was worth the wait. Finally, I'd like to thank my staff, all the volunteers, speakers, photo contest judges and sponsors, without whom World in Focus could never have been possible.   Enjoy the event!   Sincerely,   Gary Halpern Producer, World in Focus