

Each year, as November ends and December begins, I find myself in what I like to call the “backward -forward mode.” With the year drawing to a close, it is a natural time for reflection on the PAST, gaining valuable insights into our accomplishments and setbacks, helping us understand which strategies worked, which did not, and why. While reflection on the PAST is important, it is equally vital to looking forward and envisioning the FUTURE we aspire to create. This forward-looking perspective encourages us to dream big and plan strategically. By setting clear and achievable goals, we create a roadmap that motivates us to strive for continuous improvement and innovation. However, it is important to balance our aspirations with flexibility. The FUTURE is inherently uncertain, and our plans may need to adapt to changing circumstances. By maintaining a flexible mindset, we can navigate unexpected challenges and seize new opportunities in the PRESENT where we have the most power to act and make changes. By staying PRESENT, we can navigate our daily lives with greater intention and purpose applying the lessons learned from our PAST to build our FUTURE.
2024 has been with no doubt a testament to the Society’s ability to innovate, evolve, and grow. The 2024 World Congress on In Vitro Biology in St. Louis saw the highest attendance of any annual meeting in the Society’s past 20 years. Overall registration increased by 36% compared to the 2023 meeting, and postdoctoral registrations surged by 61%. These numbers highlight the crucial role of selecting topics and speakers that reflect the latest advancements in in vitro biology applications (2024 Program Committee), the importance of fostering new ideas for the format of the program (Lightning Talks – Sparking Curiosity), the value of a strong engagement with local research institutions (2024 Local Organizing Committee), the power of partnership (PlantGENE) and the significant impact of effective planning (Innovative Essentials). In light of this success, the 2025 Program Committee is diligently working on the 2025 In Vitro Biolog Meeting (#SIVB2025) in Norfolk, VA from June 7-10. Don’t forget to take advantage of the Special Discounted Registration available through November 30 and also remember that we do offer a Group Registration rate to any Company or University that wishes to register large groups to attend the meeting.
In 2024, the number of followers on the Society’s social media platforms (Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn) steadily increased, thanks to the efforts of the Social Engagement Ad Hoc Committee and your contributions (Social Media Posting). Additionally, this year we continued to expand our YouTube channel content to create an open-access resource library that will be available to interested groups for applied research and educational purposes, such as classroom teaching or laboratory sessions. If you haven’t already, please join The Ultimate Subscriber Challenge! and share our channel with your colleagues, students, and collaborators.
The “Today’s Voices, Envisioning Tomorrow” campaign, our first-ever large-scale member and non-member voice survey, concluded on September 30, 2024 and received an excellent response rate with a great distribution between member (73%) and non-member (27%) providing us with valuable information about your professional needs, and your insights on how we can enhance our Society. Your participation is going to be instrumental in helping us understand the diverse perspectives within our community, and we are committed to using this feedback to drive meaningful future initiatives.
The end of the year is not only a moment of reflection but also a time to express gratitude for the people that have supported our professional and personal journeys. As the incoming President of the Society, I want to extend my deepest thanks to all of you – the Board of Directors, Innovative Essentials, the In Vitro Animal Cell Sciences Section Officers, the Plant Biotechnology Section Officers, the SIVB Committees, as well as the broader SIVB community of members, post-docs, and students – for your ongoing support. Your dedication and contributions have been instrumental in our collective success, and I am profoundly grateful for your commitment. As we look forward to the future, I am excited about the possibilities that lie ahead. With your continued support, I am confident that together we will grow and accomplish even greater things in 2025. Thank you for being an integral part of our journey, and I look forward to working with all of you in the coming year.
On behalf of the Society for In Vitro Biology, the Board of Directors and myself, we wish you all a happy and healthy holiday season!
Sincerely,
Piero Barone
President, Society for In Vitro Biology
#togetherwegrow #SIVB2025