The ISI has held Sessions biennially since 1853, recent sessions attracting in excess of 2,000 delegates. Participants include academics, government and private sector statisticians and related experts from various institutes. ISI Sessions provide an opportunity for statisticians to attend scientific meetings focusing on their own speciality, and at the same time absorb new research in other statistical fields that may have unanticipated applications to one's own speciality. Many have spoken of the 'cross pollination' of ideas that they have experienced during ISI Sessions.