At APMOD 2012 conference in Paderborn there will be two workshops, one on the Optimization.Framework, which will be held by Jens Peter Kempkes and Lars Beckmann and one on Pyomo which will be held by Jean-Paul Watson and John Siirola.
If you are interested in attending, use the links next to the title to register:

Hands-on-lab: Optimization.Framework – The Algebraic Modeling Language for .NET (Register here)
In this hands-on-lab you will learn how to build algebraic models using the Optimization.Framework. After a short introduction of the key components and how they work together you will boot up a preconfigured virtual machine and implement your first algebraic model in .NET. You will learn how to retrieve parameter sets from a database and build a model based on this data context. Handing a model over to a solver and working with the returned solution (i.e. tying it to business objects) will complete the first part of this lab. The second part of this lab will introduce the concept of behavior-driven modeling and show hands-on, how this new modeling process results in models that are less likely to contain errors.

Hands-On Lab: Using Python and the Algebraic Modeling Language Pyomo to Specify, Solve, and Analyze Mathematical Programs (Register here)
The purpose of this lab session is to learn the basics of how to use the open-source Pyomo algebraic modeling language to specify, solve, and analyze mathematical programs – all within the Python programming language environment. Pyomo provides capabilities for modeling linear and non-linear programs, both with and without discrete variables. The lab is broken into four segments – and assumes no knowledge of Python. In the first segment, we will interactively illustrate the use of Pyomo to model and solve some basic mathematical programs. In the second segment, we will discuss various mechanisms available to import data into Pyomo. The third segment will focus on some simple Python scripts that allow for customized interaction with and analysis of a mathematical program. Finally, we will briefly survey two advanced modeling features enabled by Pyomo: stochastic programming and generalized disjunctive programming.

The APMOD ‘Early Bird’ registration phase – just like the year 2011 – is coming to a close.

If you register before December 31st, you get your delegate ticket for 300 Euros or your student (BA/MA only) ticket for 120 Euros. In both cases you are saving 80 Euros compared to the regular price.

Below you can see a list of registration entitlements:

- Entry to all Conference Sessions
- Lunches (noon) during the 3 conference days
- Morning and afternoon teas and coffee daily
- 1 ticket to the Welcome Reception
- 1 ticket to the Conference Dinner
- Delegate Satchel
- Final Program and Abstract Book
- Free WiFi Access at the conference
- Free use of public transport during the conference

To register please visit: http://www.apmod.org/registration/

We would like to wish you and your family a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

The APMOD Team

Dear readers,

It is our pleasure to invite you submitting papers to the International Conference

APMOD – APplied mathematical programming and MODelling

The conference will take place in Paderborn during March 28-30, 2012 and is focused on but not limited to the following topics:

Optimization methods and software

• Linear programming
• Mixed-integer programming
• Stochastic programming
• Modelling systems
• Modelling languages
• Metaheuristics
• Online optimization

Applications in

• Finance
• Transportation
• Energy
• Supply chain
• Production
• Logistics

The conference webpage

http://www.apmod.org

provides all necessary information. You are kindly invited to submit an extended abstract of 3-5 pages until October 31, 2011. Selected papers will be published as special issues in journals such as Flexible Services and Manufacturing Journal, Journal of Asset Management and OR Spectrum.

Important Dates are:

• 31-Oct-2011 – Extended abstract deadline
• 15-Dec-2011 – Acceptance notification
• 28-Mar-2012 – Conference starts

Sincerely yours,

The APMOD team