The IIHF Semi-Annual Congress which allocate 2007 World Championship and decide format for the 2006 Turin Olympics will be held in Hersonissos, Crete, Greece on September 17 - 21, 2003.

As usually the autumn congress is organized by the next year´s Championship organizer, it means Czech Republic in this time. It will be one of the most interesting IIHF conventions in recent years, as several crucial decisions will be voted on by the congress. The agenda item, which should draw the most public attention, is the allocation of the 2007 IIHF World Championship. For the first time in over three decades, Canada has applied to organize the IIHF's pinnacle tournament. Canada has never organized the IIHF Men's Senior World Championships, although it was appointed organizer of the 1970 IIHF World Championship, but the Canadian Amateur Hockey Association withdrew due to disagreements with the IIHF over amateur rules.

The Canadian bid faces stiff competition from Germany, Sweden and Russia. The allocation of the 2007 organizer will take place on Thursday, September 18. The 2004 IIHF World Championships will be held in the Czech Republic, the 2005 tournament is allocated to Austria while Latvia will be the host in 2006.

Other important issues that will be voted on at the congress include: The IIHF Council will present to the congress a proposal for the playing and qualification format, which will be used for the 2006 Olympic Winter Games in Turin, Italy. Also the number of participating teams, in both men's and women's tournaments, will be announced.
The congress will vote whether to add the first two female members to the IIHF council. If elected, the IIHF council for the 2003 - 2008-term will boost the number of members from 11 to 13 and it would be the first time in the 94-year history of the IIHF that the federation had female council members. The names and nationalities of the two nominated candidates will be released during the congress in Crete.
Szymon Szemberg, www.iihf.com