We hope you are as excited as we are about returning to Norfolk, Virginia for the 2025 In Vitro Biology Meeting from June 7 – 10, 2025! Before you jump on that plane, train, or automobile, take a moment to review these updates, so you have all the information you need as you arrive. We look forward to you joining us in the Mermaid City!

THE FINAL SCIENTIFIC PROGRAM IS AVAILABLE ONLINE!

The full program and abstracts will be available to meeting registrants through the EventScribe meeting website and the official Mobile App. These online resources will be provided to those who have registered in advance for the In-Person meeting and will also be made available after the meeting to those who have registered for the On-Demand Limited Access Program. Abstracts will be published as an online proceeding made freely available on Springer’s website toward the end of the year. This will be in lieu of an on-site abstract issue, so the Mobile App will be essential for your participation in Norfolk. In advance of the in-person meeting, all In-Person pre-registrants will be emailed a private link to the EventScribe website along with their personal access key and login. This will let you take the meeting on the go through your tablet or phone! You will be able to take notes on presentations, network with other attendees, set your schedule, review abstracts, and more, all in the palm of your hand! If you are registering on site, you will be provided with directions to log in and access the content at the time of your registration. In the meantime, you can make your plans by viewing the full online program on the SIVB’s website.

Remember, if you didn’t register in advance, On-Site Registration will be available at SIVB’s Registration Desk, found on the 4th floor of the Hilton Norfolk The Main beginning on Saturday, June 7 at 8:00 am. If you plan to register once you arrive in Norfolk, here are the onsite registration rates.

The Hilton’s address is:

Hilton Norfolk The Main
100 East Main Street
Norfolk, VA 23510
Phone: (757) 763-6200

VIEWING THE ON-DEMAND LIMITED ACCESS PROGRAM

Two (2) weeks after the In-Person meeting concludes, all registrants of the On-Demand Limited Access Program will be sent their individual link and access key to view the on-demand program content. At that time, you will be able to create an account to watch the recorded presentations, view the virtual posters, and interact with all meeting participants (both in-person and on-demand) through the My Experience networking resource. Are you unable to travel to Norfolk, but still want to enjoy the scientific experience you can only find at an SIVB meeting? You can still register for the Exclusive On-Demand Limited Program through June 6!

REMINDERS FOR ATTENDING THE MEETING IN NORFOLK

All Students, Post Docs, and Research Technicians planning to register on site will be required to provide proof of your Student, Post Doc, or Research Technician status when registering. This also applies to those who registered in advance but did not email their proof to our office by May 20. Proof of student status can be one (1) of the following: student ID, letter from your supervisor stating your current status, or current class schedule. Proof of Post Doctoral or Research Technician status should be a letter from your supervisor confirming your current status. If you do not bring this proof, you may be required to pay the regular registration rate to attend the meeting.

ALL STUDENTS ARE ELIGIBLE FOR SIVB’S POSTER COMPETITION

Every student who presents an in-person poster or Lightning Talk is eligible to be considered for the Student Poster Competition. During each of the scheduled in-person poster presentations, expert judges will circulate the exhibit hall to review the posters and ask questions of the presenters. The Student Poster Competition serves to recognize and reward the research and presentation skills of students. The Plant Biotechnology Section and IVACS Section will each select first- and second-place winners. These winners will be announced and presented with a cash award during the SIVB Business Meeting in Granby ABC on Tuesday, June 10, at 5:00 pm.

SPECIAL EVENTS ON SATURDAY

We also encourage you to take advantage of the all-day Saturday Pre-conference workshops. Come early to attend the Fundamentals of Modular Cloning workshop providing troubleshooting tips to improve cloning workflow; The Role of Regulations on the Development of and Stewardship of Transgenic and Edited Plants and Animals – Panel Discussion bringing together experts from academia, industry, and government regulatory agencies to consider the future direction of plant and animal biotechnology; Optimizing Plant Tissue Culture Media Formulation: Modern Problems Require Modern Solutions delving deeper into modern approaches for media optimization; and The Culture Club: Unraveling the Complexities of Media Formulation – Panel discussion examining the intricate aspects of media formulation for both plant and animal/invertebrate tissue cultures.

SHARE IN THE EXCITEMENT AT OUR SILENT AUCTION

SIVB is thrilled to be holding our 26^th annual silent auction fundraiser at this year’s meeting. The Hampton Roads Silent Auction will begin on Saturday night and run until Tuesday at 10:30am. The auction will have fun and interesting items for everyone to bid on with values ranging from a few dollars to priceless. Bid often and bid high for the treasures you want! This dynamic event was established by Marietta Wheaton Saunders at the 2000 World Congress as a way to support the SIVB and its Student Initiative. It is a one of the most fun parts of the meeting, but it requires your support to be successful. If you have an item, experience, or service you would like to donate to support the SIVB, please email [email protected] to let us know what you are bringing and its approximate value. Please drop it off at the SIVB Registration Desk at the 4^th Floor Registration Desk when you arrive on Saturday and we will gratefully include it in the auction.

AND DON’T FORGET THE FUN!

This year, we are offering a number of special opportunities for you to enjoy some of the unique attractions found in our host city, Norfolk. You can purchase tickets for these 2 events when you check in at the Registration Desk at the Hilton Norfolk The Main, but do so quickly as space is limited and available tickets won’t last long!

Relax with your colleagues with dining, dancing, games, and amazing views! Join us on Tuesday evening, June 10 for a special dinner event where you will Cruise the Elizabeth River on the Spirit of Norfolk. Tickets are $115 and include the boat cruise, entertainment, views, and dinner. A cash bar will be available. A limited number of discounted tickets will be made available to student registrants at the rate of $60.00.
Enjoy a unique opportunity to explore science in the Hampton Roads area visiting LifeNet Health; William and Mary’s Greenhouses, Herbarium, and Arboretum; and Old Dominion University’s Michael and Kimthanh Lê Digital Theater and Planetarium. Tickets to this all-day scientific event are $102 and include transportation, boxed lunch, morning refreshment break, and experiences at all three locations.

Norfolk is a charming and walkable city with plenty to do at every turn. We do hope you will take time to enjoy the city when you are not in sessions. Read about all the things you can do from the Norfolk Conventions and Visitor’s Bureau Website and get ready for some fun!

Weather in Norfolk is pleasant and warm, with an expected average temperature ranging between 69.6°F (20.9°C) and 81.9°F (27.7°C) throughout the meeting dates. For more details about the dates of our meeting, please view the local weather.