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2021 Virtual Dates:
Week 1: April 19-22, 2021
Week 2: April 26-29, 2021

Call for Abstracts

Abstract submission has closed.

All individuals working in the Everglades' ecosystem system are invited to submit an abstract for consideration as a talk or poster presentation. Here are just a few of the conference topics being addressed at GEER, but don’t feel limited to these. We want to capture all emerging topics and new ideas critical to Everglade's restoration. We value your participation and urge you to consider submitting an abstract for presentation as part of the program.

Why give a presentation at GEER?

To quote Dave Rubenson, co-founder of Los Angeles-based www.nobadslides.com , the process of creating a compelling talk and getting your audience to understand it improves both your understanding and theirs, and is central to science itself. Presenting at conferences is also a great way to attract collaborators who can help you break new ground and advance in your career.

LIVE Presentations via Zoom Meetings

Although GEER is being conducted virtually, all breakout speakers will present live via Zoom and be available for questions. Paid registrants will receive password protected access to a virtual GEER web site where a detailed agenda with embedded Zoom links will allow attendees to quickly navigate from session to session like an in-person conference.

Session Format Options

To minimize screen-time fatigue and to allow the maximum number of presentations on Everglades science, sessions will be spread over a two-week period. In addition to thought provoking plenary sessions and the ever-special DIG Session which will close out the conference, GEER 2021 features three types of sessions – Standard Talks, Lightning Talks and Poster Presentations.

Presentation Options

Individuals may only give one presentation. There are three options to choose from:

  1. Standard Talk: 12-minute talk + 3 minutes for Q&A
  2. Lightning Talk: 5-minute talk with a max of five slides
  3. Poster: Present live during a Zoom Poster Session or submit a PDF with a 90-second embedded video

Note: All plenary and concurrent sessions will be recorded and available on-demand to paid registrants via the GEER password protected virtual website for 12 months following the conference. Poster sessions will not be recorded.

These sessions feature six consecutive 15-minute talks and will be scheduled Tuesday and Thursday, April 20 & 22 and April 27 & 29. Each speaker has 12 minutes to present and 3 minutes to answer questions after their talk. These are generally more in-depth, technical presentations on more than one topic addressing complex science issues.

These sessions will be scheduled both Wednesdays of the conference (April 21 & 28). They will feature eight consecutive five-minute talks with a maximum of five slides each, followed by a 10-minute facilitated discussion period at the end of each session. Lightning talks are expected to present one topic, highlighting novel approaches or new projects in various stages of development. These sessions will be lively, fast-paced, and thought-provoking, giving attendees information about what is happening in the field of Everglades restoration. Presenters are expected to make a single point and make it quickly!

A fun and interactive poster session is scheduled Wednesday, April 21 from 6:00pm–7:30pm. Conducted as a Zoom meeting, those who are presenting posters virtually will be designated as individual Breakout Rooms. Attendees can jump from room to room (or poster to poster) to engage with presenters and attendees alike. Poster presenters will be able to share their screens and show PowerPoint slides visualizing each section of their posters so they can describe their work in more detail. As an incentive for attendees to visit as many posters as possible, we are giving away four $125 gift cards. The more posters one visits, the more times their name is entered in a drawing for each session. We are also giving a $125 award to the top two poster presenters who receive the most visitors, so make plans to join us!

When submitting an abstract for poster presentation, you will be asked to choose which option you prefer:

  1. If you choose to prepare an Adobe PDF of your poster for attendee viewing on the web site, you are permitted to embed a 90-second, narrated video into the file. Visit Adobe's instructions on How to Embed a Video in a PDF .
  2. If you opt to present LIVE via Zoom during a poster session, you are encouraged to also upload a PDF of your poster for publication on the GEER web site.
Steps to Submit an Abstract

The next step to be considered for presentation is to submit an abstract. Complete these actions and upload your abstract by January 6.

  1. Use the official abstract template (.doc) to create a perfectly formatted abstract.
    • Do not include graphs or figures.
    • Include a brief bio and your full contact information at the end of the abstract.
    • If your email address is incorrect in the online submission, you will not receive a confirmation.
  2. Proof your abstract carefully and obtain required approvals prior to submission.
  3. Sessions will be recorded and published on the GEER web site. By virtue of presenting, all speakers agree to be recorded and have their presentation shared publicly. If you do not wish to be recorded, do not submit an abstract. This is mandatory to participate.
  4. Upload your abstract by the January 6 deadline, by clicking on the submission button below.
    (Do not email your file. Files sent as email attachments will not be reviewed or scheduled.)
  5. A fee of $25.00 per abstract is charged at the time of submission. This fee must be paid by credit card so have it handy before you begin the abstract submission process. This fee is non-refundable.
  6. After completing the submission, a confirmation is instantly emailed verifying receipt. If you do not receive this email, either there was a typo in your email address, or we did not receive your abstract. Check your spam folder.
Presenter Registration Requirement

Conference speakers, poster presenters, session organizers and moderators must register by March 5, 2021 to confirm participation in the program and pay the applicable registration fee.

Registration Fee Information

Fees will be confirmed when online registration opens December 1. For planning purposes, we anticipate early bird registration will be $295 for government and non-profit attendees, $345 for industry representatives and $125 for students and retirees. There are no one-day registration fees.

Deadline Passed
Abstract Submission Contacts

Beth Miller-Tipton, GEER Conference Coordinator, bmt@ufl.edu

Nick Aumen, GEER Conference Chair, naumen@usgs.gov