If you are a patent research professional, patent attorney or patent agent you might be interested in joining the Patent Information Users Group (PIUG). PIUG is an organization dedicated to improving access to patent and non-patent information that is critical to research and quality patents. This organization is also dedicated to educating professionals about the patent research process. PIUG has annual conferences in the Spring that take place in a different location around the US each year. They also have a conference in the Fall in New Brunswick, NJ.