This morning the American Copy Editors Society is opening its fifteenth national conference, this year in Phoenix, Arizona. To my chagrin, I am not able to attend, but I, like you, can participate vicariously.

There is a conference website at which periodic updates will be posted. And on Twitter members will be tweeting updates that you can catch under the category. #ACES2011.

I concede that it’s not a completely satisfactory substitute for attending the sessions or swapping stories at the bar, but it’s what there is. And there’s ample time for you to lay plans to attend in person rather than vicariously at New Orleans, April 12-14, 2012.

If you happen to take a drink at some point today, lift a glass in tribute to that doughty crew in Phoenix, persisting in upholding standards of editing and seeking a deeper knowledge of the craft, year after year.