The George Wright Society offers its expertise and assistance to others organizing conferences, workshops, or symposia that are directly related to parks, protected areas, and cultural sites. GWS offers a range of conference services including, but not limited to:

• Seek suitable venues for consideration by the conference planning committee
• Negotiate and contract with facilities (hotel, conference center, etc.) and service providers
• Serve as the contact person for contracted facilities and service providers
• Serve as fiscal agent for conference income and expenditures
• Develop conference budget, in conjunction with planning committee, and track income and expenditures
• Develop conference web site
• Produce and distribute electronic announcements and reminders
• Manage call for papers and abstract submission
• Provide on-line registration and secure payment
• Maintain registrant database
• Advise planning committee on space needs, scheduling, logistics, and potential conflicts
• Prepare orders for food and beverage, room set-up, audiovisual and telecommunications support, decorating, bus transportation, etc.
• Organize poster session and/or vendor exhibits
• Coordinate travel and lodging arrangements for invited speakers
• Produce program and abstract book(s)
• Prepare name badges, registrant list, and other materials for registration packets
• Manage and troubleshoot on-site activities, including registration, exhibit set-up, signage, session logistics, etc.
• Train and supervise volunteer workers.
  

A cost proposal will be developed based on desired services from the above list, duration and location of the meeting, and estimated attendance. Conference services can be provided under a cooperative agreement that the GWS has with the National Park Service or contracted for a single event.

Experience
GWS Conference Planner Emily Dekker-Fiala formerly worked 17 years for the National Park Service and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service as a planner, resource manager, and program analyst. She has helped plan and served as registrar for The George Wright Society's biennial conferences and has been solely responsible for contracted conference services provided by GWS. Her conference planning experience includes the following:

2008 7th California Islands Symposium -- Oxnard, CA
2007 George Wright Society Conference -- St. Paul, MN
2006 Alaska Park Science Symposium -- Denali Park, AK
2005 Great Rift Science Symposium -- Pocatello, ID
2005 George Wright Society Conference -- Philadelphia, PA
2004 Glacier Bay National Park Science Symposium -- Juneau, AK
2003 NPS Geographic Information Systems Conference -- Orlando, FL
2003 George Wright Society / NPS Cultural Resources Conference -- San Diego, CA
2002 NPS West by Northwest Conference -- Seattle, WA
2001 NPS Geographic Information Systems Conference -- Primm, NV
2000 NPS Cultural Resources Conference -- Santa Fe, NM
2000 NPS/USGS Volcanism in National Parks Workshop -- Redding, CA
2000 NPS West by Northwest Conference -- San Diego, CA
2000 NPS Northeast Region Resource Stewardship Conference -- Valley Forge, PA
1999 George Wright Society Conference -- Asheville, NC
1998 River Management Society Conference -- Anchorage, AK

For More Information
Contact Emily by phone at 1-906-487-9722, or by email at conferences@georgewright.org.