Call for Papers on
“NN & Forecasting”

We invite all abstracts related to the theory and practice of forecasting with neural networks, describing new techniques, methods and models and novel applications. We especially encourage submissions from practitioners documenting successful AND unsuccessful novel applications of NN in practice. Relevant topics include but are not limited to:

Methods:

§          artificial neural networks (all paradigms)

o     feedforward & recurrent NN

o     single methods & ensembles

o      …

§          other computational intelligence methods

o     support vector regression & machines

o     hybrid methods

o     …

Theory

§          Use of NN in changing environments

o   Stability & retraining of networks

o   ...

§          Principles of modelling NN for forecasting

§          Data-preprocessing for NN forecasting

§          Model selection of NN candidates …

Applications

§          business forecasting & demand planning

§          time series analysis & prediction …

Forecasting Competition

As in the previous year, we invite research and practitioner teams to participate in a forecasting competition open to neural networks and methods from computational intelligence. The 2006 competition will focus on river flood forecasting and will be organised by Chris Dawson. More information and datasets may be found on the website http://www.neural-forecasting.com/ISF06_Neural_forecasting_competition.htm or click [here].

Conference Information

The 26^th International Symposium on Forecasting, organised annually by the International Institute of Forecasting, is the premier conference for researchers and practitioners in forecasting. The 2005 conference in San Antonio attracted over 200 presentations in all areas of forecasting, with 31 presentations dedicated to neural networks for forecasting in 7 sessions, spread across 3 tracks of NN theory, NN applications and a NN forecasting competition. It comprised one of the largest gatherings focussed on neural forecasting in 2006 and provided a premier opportunity for networking within the field. All recent ISF conferences have hosted a dedicated track on NN in addition to various submissions to alternative tracks of nonlinear methods, and application focused tracks such as financial forecasting, forecasting in sports etc.

Important
Dates

February 28^th, 2006                 Abstracts due

March 27^th, 2006                    Notification of acceptance via email

April 17^th 2006                        Registration deadline

June 11-14, 2006                   26^th International Symposium on Forecasting

Abstract
Submission

Prospective authors are invited to submit their abstract to subject area “5.6 neural nets” (limit of 300 words, font size 10, single line spacing, no mathematics, no references, a blank line between paragraphs) electronically via the conference website at http://www.isf2006.org/abstractsubmission.php following the detailed guidelines posted there. Make sure you select “Thematic area: neural nets”, or your paper will be reviewed for adequacy and presented outside of the NN sessions. You must therefore consider at submission, whether you would rather present a paper on “Neural networks for financial applications” in a session dedicated to the methodological focus in “Neural Networks” or the application domain of “Financial Forecasting” without the method focus. Alternatively, if you select a thematic area of “nonlinear methods” your research should emphasise this differentiation from NN. Each abstract will be reviewed by at least two independent reviewers.

Presentation

Formal presentation time will be announced (15 to 20 minutes followed by 5 minutes Q&A).

Post Conference Publication

All submitted abstracts presented at the ISF’06 will be invited for a full paper submission to a forthcoming publication by Springer on “Advances in Forecasting with Neural Networks” after the conference.

Neural Network Tutorial

At present no tutorial on neural network forecasting is planned. If you are interested, please contact the track chair at s.crone@neural-forecasting.com  – if sufficient interest exists a tutorial may be organised.

Conference Fees

Regular delegate fee:       €480 (until 17 Aril 2006) and €705.- (from 18 April 2006)

Student fee:                      €200 (until 17 Aril 2006) and €300.- (from 18 April 2006)

The fee includes access to all sessions, lunches during the congress, a welcome cocktail, a one-year membership to the International Institute of Forecasters and a one-year subscription to the International Journal of Forecasting and Foresight: The International Journal of Applied Forecasting (the Gala diner is priced extra). A spouse program includes half and full day trips to Santander, the Guggenheim museum in Bilbao etc. More details are provided on the 2006 ISF conference webpage.

Conferences
Venue

The Symposium will be held at the Magdalena Palace, the former summer residence of the Kings of Spain, in Santander’s historic peninsula which boasts superb views of Santander’s famous harbour. The organisers are looking forward to giving you a taste of Spanish hospitality and special impressions of their splendid city and exciting country! For Information on Santander please follow the links from the conference website at www.isf2006.org

Special accommodation rates have negotiated with 9 **-***** hotels close to the conference venue. The room rate for conference attendees range from €73-132.- for single and €84-167.- per double room.