Abstracts

Only “Formal research talks / Symposium,” “Speed talks,” “Flex format,” or “Environmental art” sessions are expected to have associated abstracts. Round table participants and panelists do not have to submit abstracts.  Later in the year, we will be reaching out to session organizers for more formal session descriptions (including confirmed panelists) to include in the full program to promote sessions for WFC delegates to attend. 

Hybrid sessions

The hybrid meeting format will allow for participation and presentations by both in-person and virtual attendees. Only in-person presentations at Plenary sessions and certain select symposia can be livestreamed for virtual attendees. All presenters, whether in-person or virtual, will need to provide a pre-recorded version of their presentation 10 days prior to the start of the conference. These recordings will be available on demand for both in-person and virtual attendees to view for up to 180 days after the conference. Pre-recorded presentations will have asynchronous question-and-answer capability.

All presenters are being asked to provide a recorded version of their talk that will be available to all registrants. Live events, such as plenary sessions, will also be recorded and posted to the meeting website. Other session types (e.g., non-live-streamed panel sessions, roundtable discussions), unfortunately, will not be recorded.

The WFC will use the same virtual hosting platform that AFS meetings have used in the recent past.  Organizers that are planning to host a hybrid session will need to provide a zoom/teams link to WFC Hybrid Session Coordinator Dave Hu ([email protected]) and it will be available in the online conference portal. 

 

Hybrid session costs will be à la carte.  Please contact WFC Hybrid Session Coordinator Dave Hu ([email protected]) for more information on your specific session needs.

Later this year, once the full program has taken better shape, we are planning to select a very small subset of sessions for live-streaming to allow real-time engagement with virtual delegates at no cost to the session organizers.  However, at this stage, there is no guarantee on which sessions will be selected (they will be selected based on the full program content).  Please contact WFC Hybrid Session Coordinator Dave Hu ([email protected]) for more information.

In-person Attendees

On-site viewing of Plenary Sessions
On-site viewing of all in-person symposia
24/7 on-demand access to recorded presentations
Question-and-answer functionality for recordings
Access to all recordings
Presents live to on-site attendees
Will also provide pre-recorded presentation
Listing/profile in attendee directory (app + online)

Virtual Attendees

Livestream of Plenary Sessions
Most in-person symposia not livestreamed
24/7 on-demand access to recorded presentations
Question-and-answer functionality for recordings
Access to all recordings
Does not present live to on-site attendees
Will provide pre-recorded presentation
Listing/profile in attendee directory (app + online)

Invited speaker support

With 60+ sessions, it is not possible for the WFC to provide support to panelists.  We encourage session organizers to seek out opportunities to help support speaker travel.  For example, the International Fisheries Section of the American Fisheries Society offers a number of different awards that may support panel speakers.  If you have specific questions, please contact WFC Funding Coordinator Jenna Hanks ([email protected]).

There are, unfortunately, no cost offsets for speakers but we encourage everyone to seek out opportunities to help support attendance.  If you have specific questions, please contact WFC Funding Coordinator Jenna Hanks ([email protected]).

Program organization

Yes; please contact WFC Program Manager Tricia Fry ([email protected]) to make any updates.

Yes; but we cannot fully guarantee everyone will get their requested date/time.  Please contact WFC International Program Committee Chairs Abigail Lynch ([email protected]) and Gabriela Palomo ([email protected]) to make specific requests.

Yes; we welcome abstracts across a wide range of topics and encourage authors to identify existing Organized Sessions where their talk might fit. We recognize that many knowledge systems exist around the world, including but not limited to indigenous and scientific knowledge. We encourage abstracts from diverse knowledge systems and strive for a conference that fosters healthy discussion within the scope of diverse knowledge discourse. Once all the abstracts have been submitted and reviewed, the International Program Committee will work with session organizers to craft their sessions, potentially as a mix of both contributed and invited contributions. Given the wide range of session proposals and the degree to which organizers have already populated the proposed session with speakers, we cannot guarantee that a contributed talk would be a part of any given session. We will encourage this as much as possible within the scheduling parameters of each session. Additionally, the International Program Committee will be creating thematic contributed sessions to ensure that all authors and topics will be well-integrated into a dynamic and engaging congress program. 

Unless otherwise indicated, the WFC will operate under the assumption that all sessions are open to all WFC delegates.  So, we will not have a specific registration process for each of the 60+ sessions.  Symposium style rooms will be set as theater; panels will have head tables for panelists; round table discussions will have multiple individual tables in a room.

Registration

Conference registration includes access to all scientific and networking programs, including:

  • Plenary sessions
  • Concurrent oral sessions
  • Poster sessions
  • Networking / social events
  • Light refreshments during morning and afternoon breaks and networking events
  • Access to virtual presentations and meeting content for 180 days after the conference

Registration will remain open until the final day of the conference (March 7, 2024).

In-person registrations may be converted to virtual attendance prior to DATE TBD with a refund provided reflecting the registration rate differential.  However, after DATE TBD, no refund of the rate difference can be provided. Substitute attendees will be permitted. Substitution requests must be in writing via email no later than 7 days prior to the event start.  Virtual registrants may also switch to in-person attendance by paying the registration rate differential applicable at the date the switch occurs. Requests for switching registrations must be submitted in writing via email.

All cancellation requests received on or before January 31, 2024 at 11:59 ET, will be issued a refund. No refunds will be given thereafter except in the event of extenuating circumstances, which the AFS office will identify on a case-by-case basis. Requests for registration cancellation must be submitted in writing via email.

See the Networking Events page for a description of what will be provided. Light snacks will be provided during the morning and afternoon breaks.

Yes, the networking event scheduled for that day is included in one-day registration.

Visas

You can use this website to evaluate if you need a visa to travel for business.

For individuals submitting an abstract, those that require a visa to enter the United States can receive expedited review of their abstracts to receive a decision letter to support the visa application process.  Please contact WFC Visa Coordinator Jon Aguliera ([email protected]) for more information. 

When registration opens, there will be a section regarding visa information.  Please contact WFC Visa Coordinator Jon Aguliera ([email protected]) for more information. 

Welcoming Environment

The American Fisheries Society (AFS) as host of this event is committed to providing safe and welcoming environments for all who participate in our events and activities, whether in person or virtual. We prohibit and will not tolerate any form of harassment, bullying, or discrimination. Together, we can ensure that AFS events support free expression and exchange of scientific ideas in environments that are positive and productive for all. To read the full Code, please visit the Meetings Code of Conduct web page.