The APRES Board of Directors decided at its April 8th meeting the 53rd APRES Annual Meeting will be virtual. This was not an easy decision. The 2.5 hour meeting looked at the Annual Meeting from every angle–live, in-person in Dallas; hybrid (live for those who can travel and virtual for those who cannot); and, totally virtual with live presentations.

 

Every member of the Board was present. Every segment of the industry had a voice in the process. Every issue was discussed–encouraging COVID news; vaccination rate; availability of vaccines; travel restrictions; university policies for staff and students; USDA staff and travel policies; corporate meeting policies; mutant strains; hotel’s decision deadline (today); Finance Committee budget analyses; APRES’ healthy bottom line; future APRES projects, membership impact…to list a few.

 

It became clear through this discussion the meeting we all want–filled with colleagues, collegial atmosphere, and dynamic discourse is currently compromised by the ability for many to travel to and meet in Dallas. The use of APRES’ reserves to offset any potential financial impact from reduced attendance carried the vote to a virtual format.

 

Decision made, the Program Committee is finalizing an expanded virtual format schedule for The Complicated and Challenging World Created by Viruses themed meeting. While the format is virtual, All Presentations will be live, including the Breakout Sessions, General Session, Technical Symposium and the newly approved PhD and Masters divisions of the Joe Sugg Oral Presentation Graduate Student Competition. The exceptions….Posters will be pre-recorded and International presentations may be recorded if a time zone conflict exists.

 

 

Registration will be $250 for APRES Members; $25 for Student, Post Doc, Tech Support & Retired Members. Sustaining Member Sponsorships are available for $1,000.

 

Sincerely,

 

Gary Schwarzlose

President

APRES

  and

David Jordan

President-Elect and 2021 Program Chair

APRES