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Dear Ali,</div>
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Thank you again for joining HotStorage’26 and giving us the great talk! We really appreciate your insights and support! </div>
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<div style="direction: ltr;">Regarding the travel reimbursement, would you mind completing the attached ACM expense report and submitting it along with receipts to Tendo Mutanda (the ACM Program Coordinator for HotStorage’26,
<span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">cc’ed</span>)? <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">
I’m copying the ACM guidelines at the end of this email for more reference. If there are any questions regarding the report, please feel free to contact us!</span></div>
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Hi <a href="mailto:mutanda@hq.acm.org" id="OWAAM555483" rel="noreferrer noopener" data-outlook-id="59dc8cf4-9c9c-4571-9fa6-eaac7330207b">
@Tendo Mutanda</a>,</div>
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Ali kindly gave a keynote talk at HotStorage’26 and we would like to reimburse him for the travel. If anything else is needed besides his expense report and receipts, would you please let us know? Thanks again for all your help throughout the journey!</div>
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<a href="https://www.acm.org/special-interest-groups/volunteer-resources/conference-planning/conference-finances" data-outlook-id="d5151c2b-a2fe-4c2d-ba88-70a736dd86eb">https://www.acm.org/special-interest-groups/volunteer-resources/conference-planning/conference-finances</a></div>
<h2 id="h-reimbursing-speaker-expenses" style="direction: ltr; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; line-height: 1.4; text-transform: none; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); margin-top: 0px; margin-right: initial; margin-bottom: 0.5em; margin-left: initial; font-family: "Roboto Condensed", sans-serif; font-size: 24px; font-weight: normal; color: rgb(47, 47, 54);">
Reimbursing Speaker Expenses </h2>
<ul style="text-align: left; margin: 0px 0px 1.25rem 1.1rem; padding-left: 0px; list-style-position: outside; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);">
<li style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; color: rgb(34, 34, 34); line-height: 1.4; margin: 0px 0px 0.5em;">
<span style="line-height: 1.4; text-transform: none;" role="presentation">For speaker travel reimbursements, ACM has an
</span><span style="color: rgb(0, 90, 131); line-height: 1.4; text-transform: none;" role="presentation"><a href="https://www.acm.org/binaries/content/assets/sigs/volunteer_resources/2026-volunteer-reimbursement-report---blank-09.10.2026-with-instruction-tab.xlsx" data-outlook-id="d67f15c1-e938-4acb-b644-251da9cf8445" style="color: rgb(0, 90, 131); text-decoration: none;">expense
report</a></span><span style="line-height: 1.4; text-transform: none;" role="presentation"> that speakers must complete and submit along with their receipts to the Conference Operations Liaison. The expense report and receipts should be submitted as a single
PDF rather than individual files. ACM accepts scanned copies of receipts or originals via mail or courier, if preferred.</span></li><li style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; color: rgb(34, 34, 34); line-height: 1.4; margin: 0px 0px 0.5em;">
<span style="line-height: 1.4; text-transform: none;" role="presentation">Receipts must show payment was made rather than indicate a balance due.</span></li><li style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; color: rgb(34, 34, 34); line-height: 1.4; margin: 0px 0px 0.5em;">
<span style="line-height: 1.4; text-transform: none;" role="presentation">Receipts are required for all expenses over $25.</span></li><li style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; color: rgb(34, 34, 34); line-height: 1.4; margin: 0px 0px 0.5em;">
<span style="line-height: 1.4; text-transform: none;" role="presentation">ACM cannot accept order confirmations as proof of payment.</span></li><li style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; color: rgb(34, 34, 34); line-height: 1.4; margin: 0px 0px 0.5em;">
<span style="line-height: 1.4; text-transform: none;" role="presentation">Personal meal reimbursement is limited to $60 per day for conferences that take place in the US, and $75 per day for conferences outside the US.</span></li><li style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; color: rgb(34, 34, 34); line-height: 1.4; margin: 0px 0px 0.5em;">
<span style="line-height: 1.4; text-transform: none;" role="presentation">Once a reimbursement request is received, your Conference Operations Liaison will request payment approval from the Conference Chair or Treasurer.</span></li><li style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; color: rgb(34, 34, 34); line-height: 1.4; margin: 0px 0px 0.5em;">
<span style="line-height: 1.4; text-transform: none;" role="presentation">US-based recipients are paid via direct deposit.</span></li><li style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; color: rgb(34, 34, 34); line-height: 1.4; margin: 0px 0px 0.5em;">
<span style="line-height: 1.4; text-transform: none;" role="presentation">Recipients outside the US are paid via wire transfer. </span></li><li style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; color: rgb(34, 34, 34); line-height: 1.4; margin: 0px 0px 0.5em;">
<span style="line-height: 1.4; text-transform: none;" role="presentation">Once a speaker submits a payment request, it can take up to 15 business days to receive payment. </span></li><li style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; color: rgb(34, 34, 34); line-height: 1.4; margin: 0px 0px 0.5em;">
<span style="line-height: 1.4; text-transform: none;" role="presentation">Receipts need to show show that a payment was made, and not indicate a balance due. </span></li><li style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; color: rgb(34, 34, 34); line-height: 1.4; margin: 0px 0px 0.5em;">
<span style="line-height: 1.4; text-transform: none;" role="presentation">Per </span>
<span style="color: rgb(0, 90, 131); line-height: 1.4; text-transform: none;" role="presentation"><a href="https://www.acm.org/special-interest-groups/volunteer-resources/2.4.2" data-outlook-id="15ff3df7-f12d-422f-afe8-f254145ac185" style="color: rgb(0, 90, 131); text-decoration: none;">ACM
travel policy</a></span><span style="line-height: 1.4; text-transform: none;" role="presentation">, travel insurance, fees paid to travel agents, as well as frequent flyer miles are not reimbursable expenses. </span></li><li style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; color: rgb(34, 34, 34); line-height: 1.4; margin: 0px 0px 0.5em;">
<span style="line-height: 1.4; text-transform: none;" role="presentation">Requests for mileage reimbursement must include the to/from addresses, number of miles, and purpose of trip (a print mileage map with those details is acceptable as well). ACM reimburses
according to the </span><span style="color: rgb(0, 90, 131); line-height: 1.4; text-transform: none;" role="presentation"><a href="https://www.irs.gov/tax-professionals/standard-mileage-rates" data-outlook-id="0ca901a8-57dc-40c0-a22e-cb31fca8a4cf" style="color: rgb(0, 90, 131); text-decoration: none;">current
IRS business mileage rates</a></span><span style="line-height: 1.4; text-transform: none;" role="presentation"> . IRS mileage rates change frequently, so it is recommended to check the web-site prior to requesting reimbursement .</span></li><li style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; color: rgb(34, 34, 34); line-height: 1.4; margin: 0px 0px 0.5em;">
<span style="line-height: 1.4; text-transform: none;" role="presentation">Please note that timely payments are based on the accuracy of the information provided. ACM cannot release payments without the proper documentation and approvals as noted above. </span></li></ul>
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<span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Thanks,</span></p>
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<span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Mai</span></p>
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<b>From: </b>Ali R. Butt <butta@cs.vt.edu><br>
<b>Date: </b>Monday, October 5, 2026 at 9:48 AM<br>
<b>To: </b>Zheng, Mai [E CPE] <mai@iastate.edu><br>
<b>Cc: </b>chairs26@hotstorage.org <chairs26@hotstorage.org>, generalchairs26@hotstorage.org <generalchairs26@hotstorage.org><br>
<b>Subject: </b>Re: HotStorage'26 Keynote Address [Reminder]<br>
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<div class="PlainText" style="font-size: 11pt;">Dear Mai,<br>
<br>
Thank you again for having me at HotStorage and the opportunity to give the keynote talk. I really enjoyed the interactions.<br>
<br>
Now that the travel is complete, I have collected my receipts for reimbursement. Please let me know whom should I contact/send the receipts to. Appreciate your guidance.<br>
<br>
Warm regards,<br>
-ali<br>
<br>
<br>
> On Aug 15, 2026, at 1:32 AM, Zheng, Mai [E CPE] <mai@iastate.edu> wrote:<br>
><br>
> Hi Ali,<br>
><br>
> Thank you for reaching out! Please feel free to arrange your travel including flights, lodging, etc. as you see fit. We will reimburse you later based on ACM's “Reimbursing Speaker Expenses” policy (<a href="https://www.acm.org/special-interest-groups/volunteer-resources/conference-planning/conference-finances" data-outlook-id="4168b110-8b26-4521-ab4a-d9306760312a">https://www.acm.org/special-interest-groups/volunteer-resources/conference-planning/conference-finances</a>).
Please note that "Receipts are required for all expenses over $25” (-:<br>
><br>
> Thanks again for accepting our invitation. We’re very much looking forward to your talk!<br>
><br>
> Best,<br>
> Mai<br>
><br>
><br>
> On 8/14/26, 5:36 PM, "Ali R. Butt" <butta@cs.vt.edu> wrote:<br>
><br>
> Hi Mai,<br>
><br>
> I am working on my flights this weekend, and will plan to be there on 28 and 29 both. Since I start from a small airport, I’ll do this now rather than later to get the best available journey.<br>
><br>
> Let me know if I arrange my own lodgings and seek reimbursement, or will you guys do that direct for me. Either is ok. I’d need 27-30.<br>
><br>
> Thank you and excited for the talk,<br>
> -ali<br>
><br>
><br>
><br>
> > On Jul 21, 2026, at 12:14 PM, Zheng, Mai [E CPE] <mai@iastate.edu> wrote:<br>
> ><br>
> > Hi Ali,<br>
> ><br>
> > This is great! Thank you so much for accepting our invitation! We are honored to have you join us! We will follow up with more details once the program is finalized. In the meantime, please do not hesitate to reach out if you have any questions or specific
requirements.<br>
> ><br>
> > Thanks again, and we are looking forward to hosting you!<br>
> ><br>
> > Best,<br>
> > Travis and MaiFrom: Ali R. Butt <butta@cs.vt.edu><br>
> > Sent: Tuesday, July 21, 2026 10:09 PM<br>
> > To: Zheng, Mai [E CPE] <mai@iastate.edu><br>
> > Cc: chairs26@hotstorage.org <chairs26@hotstorage.org>; generalchairs26@hotstorage.org <generalchairs26@hotstorage.org><br>
> > Subject: Re: HotStorage'26 Keynote Address [Reminder]<br>
> > Hi Mai and Travis,<br>
> ><br>
> > I am honored to be invited, and happy to accept.<br>
> ><br>
> > Also, thank you for the follow up, the earlier email has fallen through the cracks.<br>
> ><br>
> > Warm regards,<br>
> > -ali<br>
> ><br>
> ><br>
> > > On Jul 21, 2026, at 10:00 AM, Zheng, Mai [E CPE] <mai@iastate.edu> wrote:<br>
> > ><br>
> > > Dear Ali R. Butt,<br>
> > > Hope you’ve been well. We're writing to follow up on our invitation for you to serve as a keynote speaker at HotStorage'26, to be held on September 28–29 in Prague, Czechia (<a href="https://linkprotect.cudasvc.com/url?a=https%3a%2f%2fwww.hotstorage.org%2f&c=E,1,781Ey4H29vBfSJ4lYRbrQUP8rLy_V8QIpvOjM3SYfUMwWDM6BBQrV49nVr9EYcqTwZTf3iyJ3mBoOpQGkktD25ezY9WBZSqMlcIwkWvMDuoJLEUCkQ,,&typo=1" data-outlook-id="53006b32-e4de-4e03-b2f7-b771978653c0">https://www.hotstorage.org/</a>),
co-located with SOSP ’26.<br>
> > > We would be delighted to have you join us, and your perspective on storage systems would be a great fit for the program. We realize your schedule is busy, so we wanted to check whether you’ve had a chance to consider the invitation.<br>
> > > If helpful, we're happy to provide any additional details. We would appreciate it if you could let us know your availability at your earliest convenience.<br>
> > > Thank you again for considering this, and we hope we’ll have the chance to host you!<br>
> > ><br>
> > > Best regards,<br>
> > > Travis Janssen & Mai Zheng<br>
> > > On behalf of HotStorage’26 Organizing Committee<br>
> > > <a href="https://linkprotect.cudasvc.com/url?a=https%3a%2f%2fwww.hotstorage.org&c=E,1,Mtegnc_MuQIvltAU00XIKhQ1BAA8axEZfeYBsIx09yZm_oJsvmPuZ7CgmH6wQ01CUhuF1-9piiXsWxjrtjBTYhheUzUyTjwD0haIk1TiZYLxPSsECXw,&typo=1" data-outlook-id="8a95e7eb-2991-4cf7-8b52-6edbbc5f7176">
https://www.hotstorage.org</a><br>
> > ><br>
> > > From: Zheng, Mai [E CPE]<br>
> > > Sent: Tuesday, July 7, 2026 1:12 PM<br>
> > > To: Ali R Butt <butta@cs.vt.edu><br>
> > > Cc: generalchairs26@hotstorage.org <generalchairs26@hotstorage.org>; chairs26@hotstorage.org <chairs26@hotstorage.org><br>
> > > Subject: HotStorage'26 Keynote Address<br>
> > > Dear Ali R. Butt,<br>
> > ><br>
> > > On behalf of the organizing committee of HotStorage '26, we are writing to invite you to deliver the keynote address at HotStorage '26, taking place September 28–29 in Prague, Czechia (<a href="https://linkprotect.cudasvc.com/url?a=https%3a%2f%2fwww.hotstorage.org%2f&c=E,1,hM-B8eM_VILyvUYiTRoXoM6iFXQ7uSMJLL6uCLOffLS_SxtwjlPN2NpAOyeJ5bH7srEYc2KyCuQpNYSxZ1wY52bahNnO998M4qc9rUiZgdLjQGV-ApAKhhCInWfc&typo=1" data-outlook-id="c625923c-6048-4e40-9078-2ee935458081">https://www.hotstorage.org/</a>),
co-located with SOSP ’26.<br>
> > ><br>
> > > Your work on storage and I/O systems has had a significant impact on the field, and we believe your perspective would resonate strongly with our community. We would be honored if you would accept our invitation.<br>
> > ><br>
> > > The keynote would run approximately one hour on September 29, the day before the SOSP main conference. We are happy to work around your schedule and accommodate any preferences you may have regarding the format. We will cover your travel and accommodation
expenses, and provide an honorarium in accordance with ACM policy as a token of our appreciation.<br>
> > ><br>
> > > If you are interested, we would be delighted to share further details and answer any questions you may have. We would greatly appreciate hearing from you at your earliest convenience, and no later than July 21.<br>
> > ><br>
> > > Thank you for considering our invitation, and for your many contributions to the community!<br>
> > ><br>
> > > Best regards,<br>
> > > Travis Janssen & Mai Zheng<br>
> > > On behalf of HotStorage’26 Organizing Committee<br>
> > > <a href="https://linkprotect.cudasvc.com/url?a=https%3a%2f%2fwww.hotstorage.org&c=E,1,HDCAOp0YpcBaJPhlIAljEYUrqoULdEjuhJPyFEgQg85Cbrh1w-4nKzVJNNIid8pG0eMpZeizWVkpNL08mFgdWty2d3aQ_f0h_KaE2QbfJwifjdY,&typo=1" data-outlook-id="e5e64215-af14-4f7f-a5b0-b9354bbc9c7d">
https://www.hotstorage.org</a><br>
><br>
><br>
><br>
> --<br>
> Mai Zheng<br>
> Associate Professor<br>
> Dept. of Electrical & Computer Engineering<br>
> Iowa State University<br>
> <a href="https://linkprotect.cudasvc.com/url?a=https%3a%2f%2fwww.ece.iastate.edu%2f~mai%2f&c=E,1,js6hiM2LuFED_XPV1ho5QE6PUvrExzcqe306MQvlzAae_DM019Hg_P1zGbJTJV0AU6FY44AMX0ARttkxq-nc6uRMaQNqdDlXHVOyrEr5ag,,&typo=1" data-outlook-id="899c6665-e6b4-438e-ad02-092f80c845eb">
https://www.ece.iastate.edu/~mai/</a><br>
> <br>
> <br>
<br>
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