Usability professionals ask the question “What makes something usable?” The UPA’s 2008 International Conference will ask a related question: “Who makes things usable?” With a world full of complex technology, consumers are demanding products and services that are more usable. Organisations are learning that it takes many different skill sets and roles to create user-friendly products and services that consumers want.

Designers, psychologists, marketing specialists, technologists, business analysts, information architects, and technical writers are just a few of the roles that bring valuable perspectives to creating good user experiences. The UPA [therefore] welcomes people from every User Experience (UX) role to join “traditional” usability professionals at the 2008 International Conference [and to] collaborate and share methods and new ideas for accomplishing a common goal.

The new Managing User Experience track is focused on User Experience (UX) leadership and current trends in UX management. Special challenges such as the need to strategically position UX within organizations and the many skill sets required by mature UX teams make this track especially valuable to managers and consultants.

A special one-day track in e-Government usability will be offered this year only. Building a more responsive and connected government involves the creation of web sites and electronic services for the public and businesses. The e-Government track at UPA 2008 will be of particular interest to professionals working for government agencies or on government contracts.