policies and procedures for the Society. The AES is a tax-exempt, 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation headquartered in New York. Journal The AES publishes a peer-reviewed journal, the Journal of the Audio Engineering Society (JAES). Conventions and conferences The AES produces two conventions each year as well as a number of topic-specific conferences. The fall convention is in North America and the spring convention is in Europe. The first convention was in 1949. Technical Council 23 Technical Committees advise the AES Technical Council on emerging trends and areas of interest in the audio engineering community. The Committee meetings, held at Conventions, are open to participation by members and non-members alike, and are the venue for planning workshops, seminars and conferences in specific technical areas. Standards The AES has been involved in setting technical standards for audio since 1977. The (AESSC), through a consensus system open to anyone materially affected by such standards, develops and publishes a number of standards on the subject of analog and digital audio recording, transmission, and/or reproduction. Notable standards include: AES3 (also commonly known as AES/EBU) for digital audio interconnection AES10 (also commonly known as MADI) for multichannel digital audio interconnection AES11 for digital audio synchronization AES31 file exchange format AES42 for digitally interfaced microphones AES47, AES51 and AES53 for sending AES3 digital audio data over Asynchronous Transfer Mode networks AES48 on interconnections; grounding and EMC practices; and shields of connectors in audio equipment containing active circuitry AES64 for coarse-groove mechanical audio recordings AES67 for audio over IP interoperability AESSC also provides input to IEC for development and revision of international standards in audio engineering. AES does not charge for participation in the standards process, but does charge non-members for online copies of published standards. Printed copies are available for a charge to both members and non-members. Gold Medal recipients The AES Gold Medal is the Society's highest honor, and given in recognition of outstanding achievements, sustained over a period of years, in the field of Audio Engineering. The award was established in 1971; it was formerly known as the John H. Potts Memorial Award. Awardees in chronological order Harry F. Olson (1949) Howard A. Chinn (1950) Hermon Hosmer Scott (1951) Frank L. Capps (1952) Edward W. Kellogg (1953) J.P. Maxfield (1954) Lee De Forest (1955) Sherman Fairchild (1955) O.B. Hanson (1956) Edward C. Wente (1957) Samuel B. Snow (1957) Harvey Fletcher (1958) Harold Stephen Black (1959) Semi