PNNL

Abstract

The third annual conference of the Imaging Mass Spectrometry Society (IMSS3) was held October 3-6, 2021 in a hybrid in-person and virtual format. Here, we reflect upon the processes behind planning a hybrid conference and discuss the successes and challenges of the event in retrospect. This iteration of the IMSS annual conference was initially delayed to allow sufficient time for widespread access to vaccination against COVID-19 and with hopes for loosened travel restrictions, institutionally and internationally. During IMSS3 registration, attendees were given the option to participate in-person or virtually. All in-person participants were required to be vaccinated and policies related to COVID-19 (including masking while indoors and distancing) were thoroughly communicated prior to the meeting. The decision to hold the conference in-person was informed by member feedback and months of discussion throughout the ongoing pandemic. After a year and a half of participating in virtual-only meetings, results from a member survey we conducted indicated a strong desire within the community to hold IMSS3 in-person with strict adherence to COVID-19 precautions and governmental guidelines. Three sites were researched and proposed for IMSS3 and ultimately Colorado Springs, CO USA was selected for ease of access, good facilities, and the natural beauty of the location (Figure 1).