The First Australasian Soilborne Disease (ASDS) was held 9-12 February 1999 on the Gold Coast in Queensland. One hundred and forty eight delegates attended representing a range of industries (sugarcane, cotton, cereals, pineapples, market garden crops, apples, citrus, bananas, turf grass and others) and countries (Australia, China, France, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Thailand, United States and Vietnam). Four international keynote speakers attended and gave stimulating presentations on the following topics:- Soil health - Dr Arlena van Bruggen (USA) Root-microbe interactions (and disease suppression) - Dr Joe Kloepper (USA) Biological control - Dr Deborah Fravel (USA), and Suppressive soils - Dr Claude Alabouvette (France)