Proposal Submission Closes: October 31, 2025

The US-HABS 2026 Program Committee invites those interested in organizing a pre-conference workshop to submit a proposal that provides hands-on training and practical learning experiences in using cutting-edge tools, technologies, and methodologies related to HABs management. The goal is to schedule workshops that equip participants with practical skills and insights they can directly apply to their research and professional work.

Pre-Conference Workshop Details:

US-HABs 2026 will feature pre-conference workshops Sunday afternoon, October 25, with the following parameters:

• Duration: Choose between offering one or two 90-minute instructional sessions
• Attendance is limited to 50 people to ensure meaningful interaction and personalized guidance
• Workshop participants must be registered as conference attendees

Past workshop offerings include:

• Development of a regional poison control center and medical toxicology guideline for HAB sample collection and testing pathways: A Pilot Study
• Demonstrating a novel molecular toolbox for rapid, sensitive detection of ioxic Pseudo-nitzschia Species
• Data to information: A look at the HABs data housed in the water quality portal and Served through How's My Waterway
• Track, Identify, Predict: an introduction to 3 complementary HAB monitoring systems
• Mechanisms for improved detection of HABs using satellites
• Thinking outside the box: Career options and strategies for new graduates and early career scientists
• Communicating HAB Science
• CyanoDtec and DinoDtec Assays
• Imaging Flowcytobot
• Marine and freshwater phytoplankton identification
• Identification of HABs
• HABs toxin detection
• Molecular identification of HABs
• PAM fluorometry

Proposal Evaluation Criteria:

When developing your workshop proposal, keep these factors in mind:

• Relevance to the US-HABs 2026 themes.
• Practical applicability of the skills or tools being taught.
• Clarity of objectives and workshop structure.
• Feasibility and alignment with participant capacity and resources.

All workshops will be live and in-person. This will not be a hybrid conference.

As the Workshop Organizer:

• Plan to attend the conference in person on the dates of October 25-29, 2026.
• Serve as the primary contact and moderator for all workshop details. We communicate with one official representative per workshop.
• Commit to register and pay to attend the conference by August 7, 2026. (Registration fees will be announced at a later date.)

Steps to Develop a Workshop Proposal:

1. Use the Workshop Proposal Template (.docx) to create a workshop proposal to include:
• Proposed Workshop Title (Concise and descriptive)
• Workshop Description/Abstract (Including goals, content and target audience)
• Learning Objectives (Key skills or knowledge participants will gain by attending)
• Basic Workshop Agenda/Format (Structure, e.g. lecture, discussion, hands-on)
• List Participant Requirements (Logistical needs, e.g. hardware, software, etc.)
• Participant Prerequisites (Knowledge level - beginner, intermediate, or advanced)
• Workshop Organizer Information (Name, affiliation, contact details for instructors)
2. Submit your proposal via our online form by October 31, 2025. This deadline will not be extended.

Please Note: We reserve the right not to accept proposed workshops if the space is limited, and to cancel a workshop if an organizer is not able to adhere to the prescribed deadlines.