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In keeping with green conference principles, rather than receiving a printed program book, attendees should download the AFS 2023 mobile App now available from the App Store or Google Play. Search “American Fisheries Events” in the Apple Store or Google Play. Once you have logged in and created a profile, you can begin to build out your schedule (*Note: Only registered/paid attendees will have access to the app). Personalized schedules created on either the mobile App or desktop Online Program are shared between the two platforms.
We expect access to presentation recordings to open soon. Registered in-person and virtual attendees will receive an email with login information when it launches. Plenary sessions will be livestreamed from Grand Rapids—links to these events will be posted soon on the Online Program and mobile App.
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AFS values the diversity of views, expertise, opinions, backgrounds, and experiences reflected among all attendees, and is committed to providing a safe, productive, and welcoming environment for all meeting participants and AFS staff. All participants, including, but not limited to, attendees, speakers, volunteers, exhibitors, staff, service providers, and others, are expected to abide by this Meetings Code of Conduct. For more information, please visit the AFS Safety Protocol.
If you experience or witness any unprofessional conduct during the conference, please contact our Safety Officer at 240-483-9562.
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If you have not yet uploaded the prerecorded video version of your presentation, please do so by Friday, August 18, 2023. PowerPoint files for in-person presentations must be uploaded by Monday, August 14, 2023. With more than 1,200 presentations, staff need adequate time to organize and quality check the uploads. See your email for recording and uploading instructions.
The Speaker Preview Room in Grand Rapids will be open during the following hours with a lunch break daily from 11 am to 12 pm.
- Sunday, August 20: 1:00 PM - 5:00 PM
- Monday, August 21: 7:30 AM - 5:00 PM
- Tuesday, August 22: 7:30 AM - 5:00 PM
- Wednesday, August 23: 7:30 AM - 5:00 PM
- Thursday, August 24:7:30 am - 12:00 PM
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Experience Grand Rapids will be providing AFS attendees complimentary airport transportation from the Gerald R. Ford International Airport to the Amway Grand Plaza Hotel on the dates and times below; transportation will be by full-size motorcoach departing from the airport every hour.
Arrivals
Sunday, August 20th
10:00 AM – 8:00 PM (or possibly later, depending on demand), on the hour
Shuttle Location: Door #2 (across Delta Ticket Counter)
Departures
Friday, August 25th
4:00 AM – 2:00 PM, on the hour
Shuttle Location: Amway Grand Plaza, Lyon Street entrance
Please see the Airport Transportation page for other times and options.
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Registration will be located in the Grand Gallery at the DeVos Place Convention Center (map/floor plan).
Registration and Information Booth Hours:
- Sunday, August 20: 11:00 AM - 7:00 PM
- Monday, August 21: 7:00 AM - 6:00 PM
- Tuesday, August 22: 7:00 AM – 5:00 PM
- Wednesday, August 23: 8:00 AM – 3:00 PM
- Thursday, August 24: 9:00 AM – 10:00 AM
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Plenary Sessions and AFS Business Meeting, Monday-Wednesday, 10:00 AM – 11:40 AM
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Opening Networking Reception, Sunday, August 20, 5:30 PM - 8:00 PM, DeVos Place- Gallery Foyer and outdoor Patio
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Center for Technology and Collaboration: Poster and Tradeshow Event, Monday, August 21, 5:30 PM – 7:30 PM, DeVos Place- Expo Hall C
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Stakeholder Engagement Day, Tuesday, all day
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Grand Networking Event, Wednesday, August 23, 5:30 PM – 8:30 PM, Gillette Bridge
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Sturgeon Releases, Saturday, August 19 and Saturday, August 26, offsite
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AFS has many diversity and inclusion events taking place in Grand Rapids. Some highlights include:
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Monsters of Environmental Justice Fundraising Workshop: Sunday, August 20, 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM, Grand Gallery Overlook E
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Alphabet Social: Monday, August 21 7:00 - 9:00 pm, DeVos Place- Steelcase Ballroom CD - Social event held by Equal Opportunities Section (EOS) to encourage interaction between underrepresented groups in fisheries and their allies.
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Safe Space Room, Monday-Thursday, 8:00 am - 5:00 pm, DeVos Place - Show Office C
See all events in the EOS Guide to DEIJA Activities in Grand Rapids.
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Students and early career professionals can enjoy a wide range of activities, including:
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Scientific Writing Workshop (pre-registration required): Sunday, August 20, 8:00 AM – 12:00 PM, Devos Place- Grand Gallery F
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Monday Morning Coffee Hour (pre-registration required): Monday, August 21, 7:00 AM - 8:00 AM, DeVos Place - Grand Gallery Overlook AB
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Soft Skills for Enhancing the Success of Early Career Professionals Symposium: Tuesday, August 22, 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM, DeVos Place - River Overlook E
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Student-Professional Mixer (pre-registration required): Tuesday, August 22, 5:30 PM – 8:00 PM, Amway Grand Hotel- Ambassador Ballroom
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Is this your first Annual Meeting? Let's turn some of those 1,500 strangers into potential collaborators and lifelong friends. Please join us at the First-Time Attendee Meet-Up on Sunday, August 20th from 4:45 PM– 5:30 PM at the DeVos Place – Grand Gallery Overlook H to mix and mingle with other first-time attendees, AFS staff, and leadership. Make new connections and discover special opportunities so you can get the most out of the 153rd AFS Annual Meeting. | | |
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We extend a warm welcome to our attendees from outside the US and Canada, and invite you to the following special events:
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International Writing Workshop for Non-native English Speakers (pre-registration required): Sunday, August 20, 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM, Grand Gallery Overlook A
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Building Bridges: Connecting International Freshwater Scientists in an Era of Change and Adaptation, Monday, August 21, 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM, Grand Gallery Overlook AB
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Coffee—we all need it. Find your favorite caffeinated beverages and snacks at break times in Exhibit Hall C when the Center for Fisheries Technology and Collaboration is open.
Full meals will be provided at the Opening Networking Reception on Sunday, Student-Professional Mixer on Tuesday (meals for preregistered students only), and the Grand Networking Event on Wednesday. All other evening events are light hors d'oeuvres and beverages only. Full registrants will receive three complimentary drink tickets for use at the Sunday-Wednesday evening networking events.
Concessions offering quick lunches will be available in Exhibit Hall C.
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Grand Rapids rolls out the red carpet for convention and sport event attendees! We’ve arranged discounts at a number of local restaurants, attractions and other businesses to help you truly experience the city while you’re here. These savings are not available to the general public – they’re our way of saying thank you for making the trip to Grand Rapids. Redeem your discounts simply by presenting the digital coupon on your phone. It’s that easy! Click this link to sign up.
Grand Rapids for visitors:
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Two all-gender restrooms are available in the DeVos Place Convention Center—one at the entrance to the center next to soda machines and one next to Amway hotel check-in counter. Mothers' Pods are also available on the first and third floor of the Convention Center. | | |
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The official hashtag for the 153rd Annual Meeting is #AFS153. Browse the Twitter/X feed in the mobile App for live tweets from the conference. | | | | |
