It is with great pleasure that we welcome you to the inaugural World Congress on Engineering Asset Management (WCEAM) being held at the Conrad Jupiters Hotel on the Gold Coast from July 11 to 14, 2006. More than 170 authors from 28 countries have contributed over 160 papers to be presented over the first three days of the conference. Day four will be host to a series of workshops devoted to the practice of various aspects of Engineering Asset Management. WCEAM is a new annual global forum on the various multidisciplinary aspects of Engineering Asset Management. It deals with the presentation and publication of outputs of research and development activities as well as the application of knowledge in the practical aspects of: strategic asset management risk management in asset management design and life-cycle integrity of physical assets asset performance and level of service models financial analysis methods for physical assets reliability modelling and prognostics information systems and knowledge management asset data management, warehousing and mining condition monitoring and intelligent maintenance intelligent sensors and devices regulations and standards in asset management human dimensions in integrated asset management education and training in asset management and performance management in asset management. We have attracted academics, practitioners and scientists from around the world to share their knowledge in this important emerging transdiscipline that impacts on almost every aspect of daily life.