1. Through the specific location of a meeting.
   1. A special campus such as Boise State University, with its surrounding geothermal environment, which lends itself to the "Energy" theme.
   2. A special convention center such as the Monona Terrace, designed by Frank Llyod Wright, which lends itself to a "Physics in Form and Function" theme.
2. Through a specific city.
   1. Austin, TX, because it is close to NASA, lends itself to"Physics in Space."
   2. Rochester, NY lends itself to "Optics."
3. Through specific topical issues.
   1. Physics First
   2. Cross-over Teachers
   3. National Standards

In order to maximize its effectiveness though, a theme must be chosen well in advance of a meeting -- at least twelve to eighteen months beforehand. This amount of time provides organizers with knowledge far enough in advance to enable them to both plan and request sessions and workshops around a chosen topic.

Themes also start everyone thinking about plenary speakers who would make excellent presenters for a particular meeting. The advance warning provides enough time to contact them before their schedules are set.

Marketing a meeting is much more effective when speakers and topics are identified early enough to mention in the marketing material. Listing specific speakers and topics helps to build interest in the meeting. This, in turn, increases attendance at AAPT meetings and thus helps to build AAPT membership.

It is requested that Area Committees discuss viable themes for the future meeting sites and present their ideas at the Programs Committee Meeting. Area committees are then requested to encourage friends of the committee to organize sessions and workshops pertaining to the chosen meeting themes whenever possible.