The GEER Program Committee looks to the science and restoration community to assist with developing the conference agenda. We invite you to propose a session related to your expertise. Conference topics of focus are provided on the Topics Page but don’t feel limited to these areas. GEER at seeks to capture all emerging issues and new ideas.

1. Define the purpose, focus and overarching message of the proposed session.
2. Identify five colleagues who provide a diverse perspective on the session theme.
3. Communicate Speaker Requirements before they agree to give a talk. See below.
4. Use this Session Proposal Template (.docx) to create a session proposal.
5. Submit the proposal via our online form by August 23. This deadline will not be extended.

Session Formats

Each session is 90-minutes long and entails a 5-minute introduction, five 15-minute talks forming a cohesive theme and a 10-minute facilitated Q&A discussion at the end. There are no panels or discussion-only sessions.

Proposal Evaluation Criteria

Selection is based on content, structure, and overall relevance to the goals of GEER and Everglades restoration. Preference is given to sessions that focus on new and emerging science, that are integrative in nature, and/or that communicate interdisciplinary science effectively to a broad audience. Additional criteria for evaluation include the session's potential for generating useful results, dialogue among attendees, and the expected level of interest in the topic.

When talking with potential presenters, make them aware speakers must:

1. Be available during the conference dates (April 21-24, 2025)
2. Pay a $35 abstract submission fee.
3. Register for the conference and pay the applicable fee*. The fees are $650 for government and non-profit attendees, $695 for industry representatives and $495 for student attendees.
4. Comply with the limit of one oral presentation per person. If approached by more than one session organizer, they may choose only one session. However, speakers may also present a poster if they wish.
5. Submit an abstract by January 8, 2025.

*Fees are subject to change based on the level of sponsorship support achieved.

If your proposal is accepted, your responsibilities as a session organizer include:

1. Serve as the primary contact for the session. We communicate with one official representative per session.
2. Adhere to all published deadlines.
3. Share these Speaker Details (PDF) with your session speakers by November 15, 2024.
4. Ensure your session presenters submit abstracts by the January 8, 2025 deadline.
5. Moderate the session. The Session Introduction is not a formal talk and you do not need to submit an abstract.
6. Submit an agenda grid to us by Friday, January 17, 2025. After the abstract submission deadline passes, we will email you a template to fill in the confirmed session title and speaker names with talk titles.
7. Confirm all session presenters register by March 7, 2025.

Please Note: We reserve the right not to accept proposed sessions if space is limited, and to cancel sessions if an organizer misses deadlines.