Each year, NAISMA hosts an annual conference connecting terrestrial and aquatic invasive species management, research, policy, and outreach initiatives and opportunities across North America.
2020 NAISMA ANNUAL CONFERENCE
for invasive species managers
October 6-8, 2020
Sponsors:
Exhibitors:
The NAISMA Board of Directors, Staff, and Planning Committee are excited for this year’s opportunity to bring our high quality agenda, professional development, and networking opportunities to invasive species managers in North America and beyond.
This year’s virtual conference pricing is a great deal for anyone who does invasive species management, research, policy, or outreach and education who are looking for an affordable professional development opportunity. The conference agenda will include at least 18 sessions at 90 minutes each, 3 Keynote presentations, and several virtual networking opportunities.
2020 Virtual Conference pricing is more than 30% off our regular in-person conference. The registration fee this year includes access to all recorded conference presentations for up to 1 year after the event.
CEC/CEU credits will be applied for ISA, SAF, and some states’ Pesticide Applicator Credits. Read agenda details for more information.
Read more on our agenda details page and see our FAQ on how our virtual invasive species conference will work in 2020.
The only invasive species management conference to…
Bridge geographic divides
between West and East, North and South, land and water
Connect science to action
through research, policy, and outreach initiatives and opportunities across North America
Transboundary Cooperation
Our 2020 Conference will feature topics with national, and international reach and impact; case studies of regional partnerships; and technical updates.
What to Expect
Unparalleled breadth. Expert insight. Inspiring content that bridges all corners of North America, all disciplines, and all taxa within invasive species management.
What’s Different
Virtual sessions will include interactive Q&A and panel discussions; connect with attendees and speakers directly on the Conference Mobile App social networking area before, during, and after the conference.
Registration
Virtual conference registration information can be found below.If you registered previously for the in-person conference, you will be refunded the difference.
Members: check your email or visit the Members’ Area for a special link to your discounted registration
Agenda Details
Keynote Speakers
Scott Cameron
Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for Policy, Management, and Budget at the U.S. Department of the Interior
Shannon L. LaDeau
Associate Scientist, Disease Ecology, Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies
Anthony Ricciardi
Professor of Biology, Redpath Museum and McGill School of Environment, McGill University, Montreal, Canada
Rebecca Epanchin-Niell
Senior Fellow at Resources for the Future and visiting Associate Professor in Agricultural and Resource Economics, University of Maryland
Detailed agenda now available, click below to see plenary and concurrent session details.
Diversity and Equity Scholarships
NAISMA supports a culture of inclusion through all of our programs, communications, and work to support invasive species managers who work to improve biodiversity every day.
We aim to connect NAISMA’s work and support for invasive species managers alongside civil rights moving forward. Past environment and conservation leaders have not always created equitable opportunities for people who are Black, Indigenous, or Persons of Color (BIPOC). Addressing the challenges of invasive species now and in the future will require multidisciplinary and multicultural collaboration to the fullest extent possible.
To that end, NAISMA created the Annual Conference Diversity and Equity Scholarship to foster a more inclusive exchange of ideas among invasive species managers, outreach professionals, researchers and other professionals who work with invasive species.
The Scholarship Provides:
- the registration fee for the NAISMA Annual Conference
- a complimentary 1-year membership to NAISMA
Nomination Criteria:
- nominate self-identifying BIPOC individuals who work with invasive species
- self-nomination is accepted
- in 2020, we are not asking recipients to give a presentation
- applicants do not have to be current NAISMA members
- applicants may be invited to discuss how NAISMA can support more diversity and inclusion in invasive species management
Nomination Submissions:
Call for Abstracts
Abstracts submitted previously for oral presentations at the in-person conference will still be considered for the virtual event.
Abstracts for the virtual conference were due May 15 by 11:00 p.m. CST. Submissions are now closed except for special submissions that have been requested by the Conference Committee.
Exhibitor & Sponsor Opportunities
The 2020 NAISMA Annual Conference is the organization’s 27th Annual Conference.
This year’s virtual conference will bring a truly national and international audience from across North America. Attendance at the live virtual event is expected to draw 400+ attendees from a range of backgrounds in invasive species management and all taxa.
Sponsors and Exhibitors will have opportunities to network virtually with attendees during all live sessions and virtual networking sessions. Access to attendee contact information for those who have opted in will facilitate the conversation afterwards.
Exhibit and sponsor opportunities are limited. For more information, please email Belle Bergner at .
Frequently Asked Questions
NAISMA hosts the only conference to bridge geographic divides in invasive species management
Attending a NAISMA conference is your opportunity to network with leaders in the invasive species field
- No, anyone can register and attend the annual conference. NAISMA members receive 10% off the annual conference registration fee (25% for the virtual conference in 2020).
Yes, the conference travels.
View our past and future invasive species conference locations here.
- All invasive species management concerns are considered during the development of each conference agenda. The focus or theme each year shifts depending on the strengths, uniqueness, and new invasive species concerns are present in the region that the conference is held.
- Click here to see a sample of the 2019 conference agenda.
We encourage organizations and agencies to click this link to join NAISMA as a partner organization, which provides discounts for multiple staff plus additional benefits to your organization. Once enrolled, you will assign individual staff as NAISMA members within your partner organization so that they receive a discount link through our Members’ Area.
Special Virtual Conference FAQ
- A plenary presentation followed by live Q&A with the keynote speaker.
- Four (4) concurrent, live sessions in the morning and four (4) in the afternoon.
- Q & A during all sessions.
- Video networking breaks at least twice a day.
- Text-based messaging directly with attendees and speakers throughout the conference.
- Exhibits to learn more about invasive species management products and services.
The Schedule is interactive. Click on the session you want to enter and the presenter’s screen will appear on the conference platform on the same webpage. You won’t have to click between different browser windows or Zoom or any other platform. Everything will exist in the conference main window.
- An Activity Stream on the virtual conference “town hall” where attendees can post their reactions to presentations, new ideas generated, and questions for other attendees.
This is the main virtual conference center called “Town Hall”. This is what you see when you enter the conference and is where you’ll find all of the features of the event. 
The Activity stream is where attendees are welcome to post comments, reactions to presentations or sessions, highlight lessons learned, new ideas, an more. - A moderator will facilitate a Q&A in every session.
- Live networking breaks between sessions
- Poster presentations will be live sessions with poster presenters
- Attendees will also be able to communicate through private messages to other attendees and speakers.
Click on the Community or Speaker icons to message attendees or speakers directly, right in the conference platform. They’ll see your message right away and you can start chatting 1 on 1 just as if you were in a session room together!
Location Details
Whitefish, Montana
Located in the Northern Rocky Mountains of Montana, Whitefish is nestled at the edge of Glacier National Park. Each season offers breathtaking opportunity to experience the millions of acres of mountains, forests, lakes, and rivers.
All sessions and functions will be held at the Lodge at Whitefish Lake except field trips and the Thursday “Going to the Sun” reception.
Getting Here
Transportation from the Airport
Meals Provided
Restaurant Options
Hotel Accommodations
The Lodge at Whitefish Lake is a 4 Diamond resort hotel and conference center.
Book your room now at the Lodge or the sister property in town, the Firebrand Hotel. All conference sessions will be held at the Lodge at Whitefish Lake with a possible in-town reception near the Firebrand Hotel. More details to come.
The Lodge at Whitefish Lake is a 4 Diamond resort hotel and conference center. Unparalleled, spacious rooms feature fireplaces in every room, and there are a variety of room types to choose from.
Call 877-887-4026 for individual room reservations before Friday, September 04, 2020. Identify yourself as being with the NAISMA – MISC Joint Conference 2020 in order to receive the group rate.
Early reservations are recommended. Call the number below or click on the link for online reservations. One night’s room and tax will be collected at the time of booking to guarantee the reservation.
The Lodge offers a free shuttle from the Kalispell (FCA) airport. Call in advance to the hotel to arrange your airport pick up when you have made your flight arrangements.
The Firebrand Hotel (1.5 miles from main conference hotel) is right in the heart of Whitefish. Featuring a more modern setting, rooftop deck with fire pit and hot tub, fantastic lounge and restaurant on site, walking distance to restaurants, bars, and shops, the Firebrand is a fun place to stay. A free shuttle to the main conference hotel 1.5 miles away and Kalispell (FCA) airport will be available throughout the conference. Call in advance to the hotel to arrange your airport pick up when you have made your flight arrangements.
Early reservations are recommended. Call the number below or click on the link for online reservations.
Call 406.863.4055 or toll free 877.887.4026 before Friday, September 04, 2020. Mention you are with the NAISMA – MISC Joint Conference 2020 in order to receive the contracted group rates.
The first night’s room and tax will be collected at the time of booking to guarantee the reservation.
The Lodge offers a free shuttle from the Kalispell (FCA) airport. Call in advance to the hotel to arrange your airport pick up when you have made your flight arrangements.