Everybody who has ever organized a scientific conference goes through the agony of what to expect. Usually, this agony subsides once the abstract submission deadline has passed, and the extent of the scientific aspect of the conference becomes a bit clearer.
For us, this happened on January 31st, the deadline for abstract submissions. We received 1751 abstracts for the general program, and will be receiving another 160 abstracts for the keynote, invited and invited symposia speakers, for a total of approximately 1911 abstracts.
All abstracts have already been sent out to a total of 108 volunteer reviewers for double review of each submitted abstract. Thank you to all of you who agreed to help us in this important task. We expect all reviews to be done by mid-March, and so should be on schedule for informing everybody by April 15th about the status of their abstract; that is one month prior to the early registration deadline.
Some observations about the abstract submissions: The areas of “sport biomechanics” and “locomotion” [walking, running, clinical gait etc,] were the most selected topics. Also, we are happily surprised about the many abstract submission from Asia, with front running countries including China, Korea and Japan.
As you start thinking about registering for the conference, please keep in mind the early registration deadline (May 15th, 2019 – no extension).
We would also like to emphasize the great support we received from various faculties and departments of the University of Calgary, which allowed us to reduce the registration costs for 50 full registrants from economically developing countries (EDC) to $ 500 (instead of $800 ISB member or $975 non ISB member early registration). Thirty students from economically developing countries whose abstract will be accepted, will also be eligible for free registration and free accommodation for the conference duration (for an estimated savings of $800) at one of the premier conference hotels (shared accommodation – 2 students per room). We hope that this provides an incentive, and opens the possibility, for many students from EDC countries to attend this exciting event.
Needless to say that the unexpected large number of abstract submissions has its own challenges for hosting the conference and putting together a strong program that allows participants for full exposure to the exciting scientific posters and presentations. We will work hard to make this possible, and that despite the size, you will feel appreciated and well taken care of. After all, we are family, and aside from the science, this is the conference to meet up with old friends and colleagues, and maybe even establish that relationship with a long-time nemesis of yours. What a fun time. I cannot wait to welcome you all in Calgary.
Walter Herzog
(on behalf of the organizing committee)