A Guide to ASB's Annual Meeting
This guide will show you what to expect at our annual meeting.
To learn more about specific meetings and abstract submissions please see our Meeting Page.
For important deadlines and other dates visit the ASB Calendar.
For important deadlines and other dates visit the ASB Calendar.
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WHERE TO STAY
ASB partners with a host hotel connected to or nearby the conference center where the meeting takes place. Staying at the host hotel offers the most interactive meeting experience, usually without need for additional transportation. |
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PRESENTATIONS
All presentations take place on Thursday and Friday, except the Plenary, which is on Wednesday.* Use the meeting app (free from your app store) and/or the corresponding website (linked from sebiologists.org) to find presentations and abstracts, save your favorites, communicate with presenters, and build your schedule! *occasionally dates are shifted and the meeting starts on Thursday with presentations on Friday and Saturday |
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Plenary
The Plenary, on Wednesday* evening, consists of a presentation by a specially-invited speaker. The plenary is followed by a reception with light hors d'oeuvres and offers a chance to mingle with friends and chance to interact with the speaker. Be sure to include the plenary on Wednesday evening in your travel plans!
Oral Paper Presentations
Poster Presentations
Symposia
Each symposium is a specially-arranged set of talks focused on a given theme and put together by a member-organizer. For the most part, symposia are open to everyone.
Lightning Talks
Lightning talks offer presenters a less formal, quick opportunity to share new ideas and hypotheses, discuss novel experimental approaches, or present truly preliminary results.
Tribeta Presentations
The Annual Meeting of ASB is also home to the District I and District II meetings of Beta Beta Beta (TriBeta). Tribeta is a national honor society for students, particularly undergraduates, dedicated to improving the understanding and appreciation of biological study and extending boundaries of human knowledge through scientific research. All registrants to ASB are welcome to the presentations of Tribeta. Learn more about Tribeta here: (https://www.tribeta.org/)
Find the link to submit your paper, poster, lightning, or Tribeta abstract on our Meetings Page.
The Plenary, on Wednesday* evening, consists of a presentation by a specially-invited speaker. The plenary is followed by a reception with light hors d'oeuvres and offers a chance to mingle with friends and chance to interact with the speaker. Be sure to include the plenary on Wednesday evening in your travel plans!
Oral Paper Presentations
- Talks are arranged in sessions by topic, each with its own room, projector, and lectern.
- Talks are given in 15-minute increments (12 minutes for talks 3 for questions).
- Registrants are free to move among session rooms between talks.
Poster Presentations
- Posters are displayed in the Exhibit Hall.
- Presenters must print their poster before the meeting and hang their posters the morning of their presentation. Presenters should remove their posters in the afternoon; therefore, each poster is displayed for one full day.
- Posters should be printed to fit within a 46" (Width) x 44" (Height) space.
- Poster presenters stand by their posters for 90 minutes during one of the four poster sessions. Poster sessions are in the morning and afternoon on Thursday and Friday.
- Digital option for posters: To facilitate discussion during the in-person poster sessions, presenters may upload an interactive electronic pdf of their poster to the meeting website for members to view throughout the meeting. Presenters up for awards are required to submit an electronic poster.
Symposia
Each symposium is a specially-arranged set of talks focused on a given theme and put together by a member-organizer. For the most part, symposia are open to everyone.
Lightning Talks
Lightning talks offer presenters a less formal, quick opportunity to share new ideas and hypotheses, discuss novel experimental approaches, or present truly preliminary results.
Tribeta Presentations
The Annual Meeting of ASB is also home to the District I and District II meetings of Beta Beta Beta (TriBeta). Tribeta is a national honor society for students, particularly undergraduates, dedicated to improving the understanding and appreciation of biological study and extending boundaries of human knowledge through scientific research. All registrants to ASB are welcome to the presentations of Tribeta. Learn more about Tribeta here: (https://www.tribeta.org/)
Find the link to submit your paper, poster, lightning, or Tribeta abstract on our Meetings Page.
EXHIBIT HALL
The Exhibit Hall is a large space containing many of the meeting’s activities, including:
The Exhibit Hall is a large space containing many of the meeting’s activities, including:
- Registration for the meeting (may be in the area outside the exhibit hall)
- The ASB Booth: stop here to meet the ASB leadership, find information about the meeting, and to pick up meeting swag
- Poster sessions
- Lightning talks
- Snack breaks
- Charging stations and lounging areas
- The Silent Auction
- Exhibitor booths- Exhibitors are sponsors of ASB who contribute to our vibrant Exhibit Hall. Please visit the exhibitors to explore new technologies, learn about opportunities for further schooling or careers, shop for books and other items, and to show your appreciation for their support of ASB. Become an exhibitor at Sponsors and Exhibitors.
AWARDS
We offer a number of monetary awards to honor excellence in research, teaching, and service, as well as providing awards to support student attendance at the annual meeting of our Association and its affiliates. Apply for support awards at our Awards Page or when submitting an abstract.
Support Awards
Support awards provide funds to help students attend the meeting and present their work. We have awarded nearly $50,000 to over a hundred students and professionals to help with registration, travel, and other needs.
Research Awards
Research awards honor excellence in research and for presentations given at the meeting. You can apply for most research awards while submitting your abstract.
Career Awards
Career awards recognize outstanding service to biology and education. These are very prestigious awards and we welcome your nominations.
We offer a number of monetary awards to honor excellence in research, teaching, and service, as well as providing awards to support student attendance at the annual meeting of our Association and its affiliates. Apply for support awards at our Awards Page or when submitting an abstract.
Support Awards
Support awards provide funds to help students attend the meeting and present their work. We have awarded nearly $50,000 to over a hundred students and professionals to help with registration, travel, and other needs.
Research Awards
Research awards honor excellence in research and for presentations given at the meeting. You can apply for most research awards while submitting your abstract.
Career Awards
Career awards recognize outstanding service to biology and education. These are very prestigious awards and we welcome your nominations.
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EVENTS
There are several events throughout the meeting that provide a deeper dive into a topic, offer a space for our affiliates to gather, a trip off site, and more!
Breakfasts and Luncheons
Sometimes a group will meet in a smaller space to discuss a topic of interest and to share a meal. Boxed meals may be provided by the group or for an individual fee. You may need to register to attend and certain breakfasts and luncheons are only for members of the group.
Workshops
Workshops allow attendees to participate in hands-on demonstrations and energetic discussions of best practices in research and teaching. All attendees are welcome to attend workshops, but preregistration may be required.
Panel Discussions
ASB’s program often includes panels that provide focused discussion on a topic by a group of experts. Past panel topics included applying for grants, getting into graduate school, and increasing inclusivity in academia. All registrants are welcome to attend panels.
Field Trips
Field trips offer registrants the chance to visit a local ecosystem or laboratory guided by a local expert. Don’t miss the chance to see endemic species, a unique ecosystem, or visit a prestigious lab or collection. To allow registrants to join a field trip without missing presentations, field trips are scheduled on Wednesday and Saturday, before and after the presentation days, so make sure you arrive early or stick around to take advantage of these unique opportunities. We ask that you register with a nominal fee before attending a field trip to make sure we have an accurate headcount.
Silent Auction
The silent auction is an important fundraiser for the Enrichment Fund which provides support to help members attend the meeting. Please bring items you think might be of interest to attendees of our meeting. Items do not have to be related to the biological sciences, but this is a guaranteed shared interest among attendees. The items will be displayed in the Exhibit Hall during the meeting where anyone can place a bid. Bids close Friday afternoon, then the highest bidder pays for the item at the ASB booth and takes it home. Plan ahead and set aside items for the auction throughout the year, but don’t forget to bring them to the meeting!
BSA-SE/SABS Student Reception
This event is cosponsored by the Southeastern Section of the Botanical Society of America and the Southern Appalachian Botanical Society. All students who are interested in the Plant Sciences are welcome to meet with peers and professionals at this fun mixer.
ASB Business Meeting
The ASB Business meeting is the annual opportunity for members to meet in-person with ASB leadership. During the meeting, we discuss the state of the association and the treasurer’s report, decide on resolutions for the year, review proposed changes to the bylaws/constitution, and make other important decisions. All members are asked to attend the business meeting.
Thursday* Night Social
The Thursday Night Social is the party of the year! Join the ASB members and leadership as we let loose at a unique local venue with food, music, and fun! Be sure to register for this event, because you won’t want to miss it! Tickets are required for this event.
Friday* Night Awards Banquet
The Friday Night Social is a formal dinner at which we honor those receiving awards. It also serves as the official closing of the meeting. Get ready to dress up and celebrate the excellent achievements of our members. Registration is required for this event.
*occasionally dates are shifted and the meeting starts on Thursday with a Thursday Plenary, Friday Social, and Saturday Awards Banquet.
There are several events throughout the meeting that provide a deeper dive into a topic, offer a space for our affiliates to gather, a trip off site, and more!
Breakfasts and Luncheons
Sometimes a group will meet in a smaller space to discuss a topic of interest and to share a meal. Boxed meals may be provided by the group or for an individual fee. You may need to register to attend and certain breakfasts and luncheons are only for members of the group.
Workshops
Workshops allow attendees to participate in hands-on demonstrations and energetic discussions of best practices in research and teaching. All attendees are welcome to attend workshops, but preregistration may be required.
Panel Discussions
ASB’s program often includes panels that provide focused discussion on a topic by a group of experts. Past panel topics included applying for grants, getting into graduate school, and increasing inclusivity in academia. All registrants are welcome to attend panels.
Field Trips
Field trips offer registrants the chance to visit a local ecosystem or laboratory guided by a local expert. Don’t miss the chance to see endemic species, a unique ecosystem, or visit a prestigious lab or collection. To allow registrants to join a field trip without missing presentations, field trips are scheduled on Wednesday and Saturday, before and after the presentation days, so make sure you arrive early or stick around to take advantage of these unique opportunities. We ask that you register with a nominal fee before attending a field trip to make sure we have an accurate headcount.
Silent Auction
The silent auction is an important fundraiser for the Enrichment Fund which provides support to help members attend the meeting. Please bring items you think might be of interest to attendees of our meeting. Items do not have to be related to the biological sciences, but this is a guaranteed shared interest among attendees. The items will be displayed in the Exhibit Hall during the meeting where anyone can place a bid. Bids close Friday afternoon, then the highest bidder pays for the item at the ASB booth and takes it home. Plan ahead and set aside items for the auction throughout the year, but don’t forget to bring them to the meeting!
BSA-SE/SABS Student Reception
This event is cosponsored by the Southeastern Section of the Botanical Society of America and the Southern Appalachian Botanical Society. All students who are interested in the Plant Sciences are welcome to meet with peers and professionals at this fun mixer.
ASB Business Meeting
The ASB Business meeting is the annual opportunity for members to meet in-person with ASB leadership. During the meeting, we discuss the state of the association and the treasurer’s report, decide on resolutions for the year, review proposed changes to the bylaws/constitution, and make other important decisions. All members are asked to attend the business meeting.
Thursday* Night Social
The Thursday Night Social is the party of the year! Join the ASB members and leadership as we let loose at a unique local venue with food, music, and fun! Be sure to register for this event, because you won’t want to miss it! Tickets are required for this event.
Friday* Night Awards Banquet
The Friday Night Social is a formal dinner at which we honor those receiving awards. It also serves as the official closing of the meeting. Get ready to dress up and celebrate the excellent achievements of our members. Registration is required for this event.
*occasionally dates are shifted and the meeting starts on Thursday with a Thursday Plenary, Friday Social, and Saturday Awards Banquet.
WHAT DOES REGISTRATION PAY FOR?
Your registration fees pay for an organized, secure, and accessible meeting in major cities across the southeast. Additional resources contribute to the Enrichment Fund, which provides support for members. For more information about our accounts, be sure to attend the ASB Business Meeting and review the treasurer’s report.
Your registration fees pay for an organized, secure, and accessible meeting in major cities across the southeast. Additional resources contribute to the Enrichment Fund, which provides support for members. For more information about our accounts, be sure to attend the ASB Business Meeting and review the treasurer’s report.
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WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO BE A MEMBER?
By becoming a member, you are joining a landmark group of biologists spanning the entire Southeastern United States and beyond, whose purpose is to promote research and education in the biological sciences. As a member, you will receive:
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COMMITTEES
ASB is managed by elected officers serving on the Executive Committee (the EC). The EC decides meeting locations, plenary speakers, and social venues. However, much of the functioning and character of the association comes from our many committees. The Awards committees determine eligibility and winners of awards, the Program Committee accepts abstracts and builds the program, and the Publications committee manages our relationship with our journals and publishes our bulletin. Our Human Diversity Committee, Education Committee, and Conservation Committees keep ASB focused on its mission.
All committee members are volunteers and you are invited to join a committee. This is a great way to stay involved and learn more about ASB. And we always need your help! Volunteer and Get Involved!
ASB is managed by elected officers serving on the Executive Committee (the EC). The EC decides meeting locations, plenary speakers, and social venues. However, much of the functioning and character of the association comes from our many committees. The Awards committees determine eligibility and winners of awards, the Program Committee accepts abstracts and builds the program, and the Publications committee manages our relationship with our journals and publishes our bulletin. Our Human Diversity Committee, Education Committee, and Conservation Committees keep ASB focused on its mission.
All committee members are volunteers and you are invited to join a committee. This is a great way to stay involved and learn more about ASB. And we always need your help! Volunteer and Get Involved!
Presentation Topics
