2025 Summit Program

Photo courtesy of Cidney Hue, 2024 Science Events Summit

2025 Science Events Summit Program:  Transformative Play

The 2025 Summit is coming up! We are cooking up delightful ways to bring us together in Philadelphia without straying too far from the vibrant life of the streets. We have some rousing receptions, moving field trips, and intense conversations in mind. And we are going to eat well.

The basic outlines of the Summit are sketched out below, and we'll keep updating this page as plans come together. Since the Summit is designed around the attendees, the final Summit program is usually available about two weeks before the meeting. If you haven't registered yet, then we're missing one of the most important parts of the program: You!

If you need a more specific idea of what a finished Summit program looks like, check out what we did in Los Angeles last June. If you feel something's missing or have a question about the 2025 program, please reach out to the Summit team.

The Summit Theme: Transformative Play.

Every Summit is focused on the craft of event organizing, and then what happens when science get blended in. That means it's important for us all to get the science bit right. Of course our events don't spread disinformation, but getting it right also means recognizing that science isn't just disembodied information. It also means science doesn't have to be the star of your show for you to belong at the Summit. We're looking for the strange, wonderful, and lively pieces science can add to make an event great. That's where the good times are, but this attitude is not just about fun: It's necessary and strategic. And it's contagious...come to the Summit ready to share your take on Transformative Play!

Topics Being Planned:

As people register we're hearing that they're looking forward to networking and collaborating with each other. We're on it! We're planning for spaces and session formats that emphasize what current registrants say they are looking for the most: "Connecting."

So far, many have asked for time spent on: fund raising, earned income, event management, and event production tools. There is a strong interest in using events to build relationships and collaborations with local communities. And as always there's a general enthusiasm for the new programming ideas everyone will be sharing. This year several registrants have specifically asked to make time for change management, navigating shifting cultural landscapes, and creating unconventional connections. All of these are topics you can expect to see in the 2025 program.

Schedule at a glance

Sunday, June 8

4:00 - 9:00PM Plans are in the works for a way to meet and mingle with other Summit attendees while enjoying an arts and culture showcase. Location to be announced.

Monday, June 9

8:30 - 11:00AM Breakfast, coffee, plenary panel, and plenary workshop. Philadelphia Free Library.

11:00 - 12:00 Science Events Expo

12:00 - 1:00 Catered lunch

1:00 - 1:50 Concurrent conversations

2:00 - 2:50 Concurrent conversations

3:00 - 3:50 Concurrent conversations

4:00 - 5:30 Afternoon plenary and workshop

6:30 - 9:30 Conference Dinner. Location to be announced.

Tuesday, June 10

8:30 - 9:30 Breakfast and coffee reception. Philadelphia Free Library.

9:30 - 10:30 Concurrent Conversations

10:45 - 11:45 Concurrent Conversations

12:00 - 1:30 Catered lunch, plenary session

1:30 - 4:00 Talk Shop: Go in-depth on your topic of choice with a small group of peers in the context of nearby cultural and community sites. Locations to be announced.

4:00 - 6:30 Summit closing and reception. Location to be announced.