Evening Socials -Included in Annual Meeting Registration Fee

Evening Social Events at the Annual Meeting

*An Annual Meeting registration and name badge is required to access the exhibit hall and all evening conference events.

Tuesday Events

  • Speed Networking Mixer For ALL, 3:30pm – 4:30pm

Come make connections with fellow Western Section conference participants.  We’ve been running a version of this mixer at past conferences just for students, and now we’ve added a speed networking event for EVERYONE! Come ready to chat it up casually and make new connections with western wildlifers.  Be Part of Something Wilder! Led by Wendy Loeffler and Thea Wang

  • Welcome Reception, 6:00 – 8:00pm 

Join us to kick-off the Annual Meeting and make connections with friends, colleagues and fellow participants.  We’ll gather in our exhibit hall – the social hub for the week.  The fabulous and annual wildlife photo slideshow will be displayed on a large screen in the center of the hall (consider submitting some of your photos).

    • A small bites fajita station will be served, along with a no-host bar – Annual Meeting registration required.
    • Wear a Wildlife T-Shirt! Amaze your colleagues – wear your favorite wildlife tee
    • Submit your photos for our annual wildlife slideshow, and enter to win one of two $100 REI Gift Cards!  Link to instructions
  • After Hours Wildlife Trivia, 9:00pm to 11:00pm

Join us for some fun (and fierce!) competition led by Rhys Evans and friends. It will all be wildlife biology and management…or at least “wildlife adjacent.”  Teams of 4, ok to self-organize that night!  With prizes! AND beverages available nearly.  Please be on time if you want to compete and join a team.

You will have the option of forming a “traditional” team (up to four members, any assortment — but all must be registered meeting participants.  Hint: it’s generally not a great idea for all four of your team members to be herpetologists…or all specialists regarding any other faunal group).

To encourage mixing and mentorship opportunities and to make new friends, if a team is comprised of two wildlife professionals and two students or Early Career Professionals (or one of each), you will earn five bonus points! For this purpose, we will not differentiate between undergraduate and graduate students.

Wednesday Events

  • Poster Session and Reception, 6:00-8:00pm

An in-person poster session and reception will be held on Wednesday evening.  Authors will be available at their poster from either 6-7pm or 7-8pm to answer your questions about their research. Lite bites charcuterie and passed hors d’ouevres will be provided to all meeting registrants along with a no-host bar.  Posters will be available for viewing starting Wednesday morning through Thursday after lunch.  For more information on poster presenter guidelines, click here.

  • Chapter Meetings, 8:00pm to 10:00pm

Join your local TWS Chapter and get to know local wildlifers in your area.  Find ways to get involved locally!  Students, please attend your local geographical Chapter Group.

  • After Hours Karaoke, 9:30pm to 11:45pm – 1 of 2

We’ll be singing and having fun into the night!  Come participate, or just come to watch.  It will be a hoot!  Led by Brendan Cohen, Katie Smith and Angel Ramirez.

Thursday Events

    • Member Awards Celebration Banquet with Raffle and Band, 6:30pm to 9:30pm 
    • Extra ticket required, limited seating available – $40, or $30 for students
    • Note that doors will open after dinner has been served around 7:30pm so those without a ticket can participate in the evening’s program.

A ticketed, seated banquet is back again this year, by popular demand.  Limited seating is available so purchase your tickets soon to save your seat.  Come relax and slow down with friends old and new to celebrate a great conference week together.  After we eat, we will recognize outstanding individuals and organizations that have gone above and beyond to make contributions toward the Western Section’s goals. If you know of a deserving nominee, please use the link to submit a nomination. Nominations are due by December 1st. The annual raffle grand prize will follow, and after that – dancing with a live band!

Menu – Select choice of:

        1. Chicken (Gluten Free) – Seared Free Range Achiote Chicken Breast with Mango Glaze,
          Sweet Corn Polenta, Aged Manchego Cheese & Grilled Lemon
        2. Salmon (Gluten Free & Dairy Free) – Sweet Chipotle Glazed Salmon with Peach and Mango Relish, Baby Carrots and Jasmine Rice
        3. Tofu (Vegetarian, Vegan & Dairy Free)  – Teriyaki Fried Tofu with Teriyaki Sauce, Onions, Grilled Pineapples and Jasmine Rice
        4. Chef’s Special Allergy Friendly Meal

Served with Baby Kale & Romaine Caesar Salad; Chef’s Selection of Seasonal Vegetables, Bread Basket, Flourless Chocolate Torte with Raspberry Sauce Dessert and Iced Tea, Starbucks® Coffee & Tazo® Hot Tea Service.

  • After Hours Karaoke, 9:30pm to 11:45pm – 2 of 2

 We’re doing it again, two nights in a row. We’ll be singing and having fun into the night!  Come participate, or just come to watch.  It will be a hoot!  Led by Brendan Cohen, Katie Smith and Angel Ramirez.