Microscopy and Microanalysis 2005 promises to be a dynamic meeting proving that good science can transcend national boundaries. In addition to the usual sponsoring societies, the Microscopy Society of America (MSA) and the Microbeam Analysis Society (MAS), the International Metallographic Society (IMS) will again be a co-sponsoring society of the meeting. We are also fortunate that with the prime location of the meeting in Hawaii, many of the Pacific Rim Microscopy Societies will be joining us for the meeting. These include the Committee of Asia-Pacific Societies for Microscopy (CAPSM), the Australian Microscopy and Microanalysis Society (AMMS, Inc.), the Australian Microbeam Analysis Society (AMAS), and Microscopy New Zealand (MNZ). This truly international representation will provide attendees with the opportunity to observe how microscopy and microanalysis are advancing multiple fields of science in much of the world. The M&M 2005 Executive Program Committee, comprised of co-chairs from each of the participating societies, has put together a comprehensive scientific program that will address a variety of cutting-edge topics in the applications of microscopy in the biological and physical sciences and in the development of new instrumentation and techniques.