SCIENCE TALK '20 Canceled - Virtual Replacement Being Developed
After a week of thoughtful debate, the Science Talk Executive Board has decided to cancel SCIENCE TALK ‘20 as an in-person event. We did not come to this decision lightly, and we hope that you will understand.
After reviewing our registrant survey results (thank you to those of you who responded - your thoughts were invaluable), reading news of travel restrictions being enforced by a growing number of institutions, seeing both California and Washington declare a state of emergency, and looking at the data available on local and global spread of COVID-19, we reluctantly came to this conclusion: The most responsible action for our community and for public health is to cancel our in-person event.
However, we are developing a virtual alternative. We are reaching out to our presenters, panelists, and workshop facilitators to develop an internet-based format in order to start formulating a new virtual-conference program. The schedule for this alternative will likely be 2-3 hours per day rather than day-long, and we hope to provide virtual-breakout rooms for topical discussions.
Knowing that people have already blocked out the 26th and 27th on their calendars for Science Talk, we hope that you will join us for this chance to learn and grow together.
We understand that many of you were really looking forward to an in-person event. The chance to connect with colleagues and meet new communicators from across the country is one we all have been anticipating for months. So, we understand if the virtual event is not something you want to take part in.
If you have made personal travel or housing arrangements, please be sure to cancel them, unless you really are looking forward to a trip to Portland at the end of March.
We are developing a plan to accommodate credits and refunds. At this time, we need to take a hard look at our budget to figure out what we can afford - several of our conference expenses are non-refundable.
We will finalize the options for attendees no later than Wednesday, March 11th. We ask for your patience as we determine our next steps, and will continue to keep you updated on our decisions.
If you have any questions or ideas, let us know.
Finally, mark your calendars for March 25-26, 2021!
--Science Talk
After reviewing our registrant survey results (thank you to those of you who responded - your thoughts were invaluable), reading news of travel restrictions being enforced by a growing number of institutions, seeing both California and Washington declare a state of emergency, and looking at the data available on local and global spread of COVID-19, we reluctantly came to this conclusion: The most responsible action for our community and for public health is to cancel our in-person event.
However, we are developing a virtual alternative. We are reaching out to our presenters, panelists, and workshop facilitators to develop an internet-based format in order to start formulating a new virtual-conference program. The schedule for this alternative will likely be 2-3 hours per day rather than day-long, and we hope to provide virtual-breakout rooms for topical discussions.
Knowing that people have already blocked out the 26th and 27th on their calendars for Science Talk, we hope that you will join us for this chance to learn and grow together.
We understand that many of you were really looking forward to an in-person event. The chance to connect with colleagues and meet new communicators from across the country is one we all have been anticipating for months. So, we understand if the virtual event is not something you want to take part in.
If you have made personal travel or housing arrangements, please be sure to cancel them, unless you really are looking forward to a trip to Portland at the end of March.
We are developing a plan to accommodate credits and refunds. At this time, we need to take a hard look at our budget to figure out what we can afford - several of our conference expenses are non-refundable.
We will finalize the options for attendees no later than Wednesday, March 11th. We ask for your patience as we determine our next steps, and will continue to keep you updated on our decisions.
If you have any questions or ideas, let us know.
Finally, mark your calendars for March 25-26, 2021!
--Science Talk
