The Opening Ceremony was extremely moving - the official party entered the hall each escorted by a Hot Springs Firefighter in full formal dress uniform. The American Flags were brought into the Hall by a colour party of Veterans after which we all sang the National Anthem of the USA. The procession of Flags followed (they had only arrived in the boxes from London that afternoon) This was a very moving moment.

We were welcomed to the Conference by the Chairman of the Hostess Society who welcomed all sisters of the world. The USA Area President welcomed us saying her members came from North, South, East and West of the USA and told us about the Mississippi river being known as the father of waters and representing one of the largest rivers in the world which contributed to the expansion of the western frontier. Tammy Clampitt CVB - welcomed us to Hot Springs with a gift of an uncirculated quarter featuring Hot Springs which the National Mint had presented just a few days ago.

The World President responded and highlighted her first time in Arkansas when she met the Governor, Bill Clinton, who gave her a travellers certificate with the word that she must come back and bring others to Arkansas - tonight, she said, she had brought the world to Arkansas.

Her thanks were conveyed to the Conference organisers and the USA Area President and her members and to the 9 million members around the world in 46 countries. The world president then welcomed our special guest who was to open the Conference, Josie Fernades, Hot Springs National Park Superintendent.

This lady gave a very skilled and moving presentation which was very linked to ACWW's own goals and to the role of women. Josie talked about her post in the Women's rights Park in New York at Seneca Falls and the difficulties women had in setting up a convention in 1848 to press for women's right to own property and to vote - it took 72 years before this was achieved.

The Deputy World President (who had arrived just 15 minutes before ) gave the vote of thanks.

The World President then read the greetings to Conference from :-

• The 1st lady of Arkansas
• Malaysia
• Princess Astrid of Norway
• The Prime Minister of New Zealand
• The Governor of New South Wales(Australia)
• The Rt Hon Alex Salmond, First Minister of Scotland
• The President of Ireland Mary Macaleese
• The Prime Minister of Iceland who sent special greetings to those who were unable to travel because of the volcano.

Then Women from many rural organisations across the world presented their good wishes to Conference they were from the following countries :- Australia,Bangladesh, Brunei, India, Canada, Malaysia, New Zealand, Norway,Pakistan, South Korea, All the USA Societies and The Scottish Woman's Rural Institutes.

We then sang The Song of Peace..

Afterwards there was a reception with cakes and Cherry Aid - very American but very welcome! Altogether quite a wonderful evening.