The 1st Pan-American Conference on Unsaturated Soils 2013 will take place in the Convention Center in Cartagena de Indias at the end of February 2013. The Convention Center is located in the heart of the historic city near the modern facilities of Cartagena’s leading hotels. This convention offers a stimulating mix of every aspect of the study of unsaturated soils. It will link together all of the substantial recent advances in fundamental knowledge, testing techniques, computational procedures and prediction methodologies and combine all of them with the company of experienced professionals from the Americas, and researchers from throughout the world. Now is the time to discuss the challenges posed to us in the field of unsaturated soil mechanics for predicting the behavior of geotechnical works faced with extreme climatic events and to find long-lasting solutions for these situations. The convention’s varied social program will offer plenty of opportunities outside of the main events of the technical program for further meetings and chances to share ideas. Plus, the beautiful setting of Cartagena has a great deal to offer. Its colonial buildings, spectacular city squares and sandy white beaches often make people want to stay a little longer, or even stay forever! One of the Spanish empire’s most important Caribbean ports, Cartagena is easily one of the most beautiful cities in the world. It was declared historical and cultural patrimony of humanity by UNESCO in 1984. We would be pleased to welcome you to our city and to the conference!