The Second Annual EMUG Meeting was an enormous success. Close to 100 people attended the 2-day session. The format for the meeting was based on feedback we received during last year's meeting. The Aries' staff presented EM Users and potential users with useful information regarding Aries' overall strategic direction. An overview of new features was introduced. Users were given a sneak preview of Editorial Manager Version 3.0. They saw first hand our latest innovations such as: image preflight integration with workflows, automatic submission from preprint servers, a commissioned papers module, enhanced reviewer functionality and much more!

Users were given instructions for using Excel and other applications to manipulate and display data and create reports. New users were asked what changes they'd like to recommend for improving the implementation and training experience for new journals. Nancy Medina, from Annals of Emergency Medicine, provided insight into training Editors to use EM, and a panel of experienced EM users shared tips and workaround ideas for workflow issues brought up by the audience.

The EMUG Reception took place aboard a Boston Harbor cruise ship with dinner and drinks. This provided people with an opportunity to network and socialize with other EM users. For most of the tour it was a beautiful evening on Boston Harbor, with a fast-moving thunderstorm providing a dramatic display of lightning against the Boston skyline.

The second day of the meeting was geared toward Advanced Users. A training session of EM v 3.0 took place. Users took an in-depth look at the new features and functions. Attendees were broken out into small groups to discuss common problems and workarounds in EM. The afternoon was spent on advanced reports discussions, including a well-received tutorial on using the Custom Reports feature with Excel, and a brainstorming session on improvements to 'canned' reports.

Evaluation forms filled out by attendees showed a consensus of opinion that the User Group Meeting is an excellent way to network with colleagues and to learn how different EM users approach workflow and policy issues. Among the favorite sessions were those on reports, and the breakout sessions on new features.

The Aries staff particularly enjoyed meeting clients in person, and receiving suggestions on what new features should be considered for future releases of EM. An important goal of the meeting was to display Aries' commitment to enhancing users' productivity and to developing technology to help journals thrive.