The Communicator: Volume 5, Issue 11, November 2024
The 2024 NPDN National Meeting brought together 150 attendees from across the country. We were thrilled to host a diverse group of diagnosticians and partners to discuss a wide range of topics along the theme of Adapting to the Challenges of Change. Portland provided more than just beautiful weather and delicious food during the week we were gathered. Networking and building opportunities within NPDN were at the center of this year’s meeting.
Key Highlights
Throughout the conference, attendees had the opportunity to:
- Attend 16 presentations on topics such as inclusion and diversity, support and partnerships, diagnostic tools and technology, impact and success stories and how we can best prepare for future challenges in diagnostics.
- Attend 7 workshops on diagnostic topics of bacteriology, entomology, mycology and oomycetes.
- Mingle in a poster session with 45 posters on committee work, diagnostic science, and diagnostic lab processes and impacts.
- Participate in panel discussions that explored ways we can best use the ever-changing technology and to better support the next generation of diagnosticians.
- Engage in networking opportunities with friends and colleagues from across the country during poster sessions and special events.
- Visit and learn about local disease problems and crops during two fantastic tours to Acadia National Park and wild blueberry production sites.
We were also proud to present the Lifetime Achievement award to Jim Stack, Martin Draper, Pat Shiel, and Ray Hammerschmidt; The Outstanding Service Awards to Alicyn Smart, Allina Bennett, Karen Snover-Clift, Stephanie Shea, Jan Byrne, and Laura Miles; and three Rotten Tuber awards to Zach Schumm and Jill Pollock. You can see their nominations here. Congratulations to all our awardees!
Accessing Conference Materials
The shared folder of conference photos is a great way to see the joy and experiences of our members throughout the week’s activities. The folder will remain open to add photos and look back on our time together.
For those who were unable to attend all sessions or would like to revisit the presentations, recordings and materials will be made available on NPDN’s Learning Management System, LearnUpon, this winter. Stay tuned for an announcement in the communicator when these are available
Looking Ahead
As we look forward to future events, we would love to hear your feedback on this year’s conference. Please take a moment to complete this short survey and share your thoughts with us.
Thank you for taking part in the 2024 NPDN National Meeting. We look forward to seeing you at the next NPDN national meeting in 2026.
Signed,
Your 2024 NPDN National Meeting Planning Team
Alicyn Smart and Stephanie Shea (NEPDN, University of Maine)
Tania Brenes-Arguedas (WPDN, University of California, Davis)
Carrie Harmon and Allina Bennett (SPDN, University of Florida)
Jan Byrne (NCPDN, Michigan State University)
Martin Deubler and Andrew Daigle (CERIS, Purdue University)
