Edmonton, Alberta
15th - 20th September 2024
FAST FACTS
Population: 1,418,118
Venue: Edmonton Convention Center
Local Bear Species: Black bear (Ursus americanus) and brown bear (Ursus arctos)
Airport: Edmonton International (YEG)
Visitor Information: Visit ExploreEdmonton.com
Visa Information: Visit the IRC Canada Website
Credit: Jeff Wallace
- A message from our Conference Chair
Welcome
From its establishment in 1968, the International Association for Bear Research and Management (IBA) has been the leading organization for those involved in bear research, conservation and management. It is with great pleasure that on behalf of our conference organizing committee, I welcome you to the 28th IBA conference this September in Edmonton, Alberta, under the theme “Co-existing with Bears on Dynamic Landscapes.”
Our program will be packed with engaging presentations, important talks from indigenous speakers, scientific posters, and ample opportunities to connect with peers and experts in the bear world. This includes the return of our ice breaker evening and Friday banquet dinner, where stories and experiences can be shared face-to-face once again.
A special thank you to our many sponsors including the “Forest Resource Industry Association of Alberta”, “fRI Research” and ‘Explore Edmonton’, for their unwavering support. We’re thrilled to announce a unique accommodation deal, where a portion of your stay in Edmonton is generously channeled back to the IBA. Please ensure you use the booking links on this website to book your accommodation to make your stay eligible. Further information can be found in the accommodation section.
I hope you will join us in Edmonton for a memorable event, and let’s delve deep into the evolving landscapes we share with bears.
Gord Stenhouse – 2024 IBA Conference Chair
Conference Registration & Raffle
Registration for the 2024 conference is now open! IBA members automatically receive discounted registration fees and all registrations before June 10th 2024 will receive an additional early-bird discount.
Capacity for the 2024 conference is limited, so click below to see ticket pricing, learn more about what’s included and secure your spot now.
The IBA Conference Registration Raffle concluded on 31 January 2024. Tyler Ross, in Whitehorse, Canada was the lucky raffle ticket holder. Tyler is a PhD candidate studying the movements and habitat selection of polar bears in Southern Hudson Bay. Using location data collected from GPS-collared bears, he is examining the terrestrial and on-ice habitat selection of polar bears in relation to environmental conditions, including snow and sea-ice characteristics. He is also looking at the distribution of polar bear denning habitat along the coast of northern Ontario.
Tyler generously offered to share his good fortune by passing on his winning ticket to a student who needs help with covering registration fees. Thank you, Tyler, for your thoughtfulness and generosity.
Credit: Bob Bush
Accommodation
The conference organizers have secured very favorable discounted hotel rates for IBA Conference attendees for the 28th IBA Conference. There are two hotels that are all within easy walking distance (5 or 10 minutes) of our conference venue (the Edmonton Convention Center).
Edmonton has a unique and very important program with our downtown hotels that are hosting guests to major conferences in the city. This program offers a cash rebate to IBA if our attendees use the hotels we have selected as our preferred accommodation providers. To receive full benefits of this program, our attendees need to stay in these hotels and use the booking links below. The number of hotel nights we use will be tracked and if our targets are met, IBA will be eligible to receive up to $40,000 CAD as a cash rebate. This rebate can then be used to support IBA programs and operations, which benefits all members. This is truly a win/win situation, but is only possible if all conference attendees participate!
Please consider using one of the selected conference hotels we have identified to help IBA!
Note: It is very important that conference attendees use the links below to book their accommodation to be eligible for this scheme. Bookings via third-party sites (Expedia, Booking.com etc.) cannot be counted towards IBA’s total hotel nights.
Chateau Lacombe Edmonton
Address: 10111 Bellamy Hill Rd NW, Edmonton, AB T5J 1N7
Price: $119 CAD/night
Walking time to conference venue: 10 min (700 m)
Marriott Westin Edmonton
Address: 10135 100 St NW, Edmonton, AB T5J 0N7
Price: $184 - $204 CAD/night
Walking time to conference venue: 5 min (300 m)
stay at our partner hotels and help iba raise up to $40,000!
Credit: Brandon Mattice
Credit: Sepp Friedhuber
Abstract Submissions
The abstract submission period closed on 1 March 2024. The Scientific Program Committee will begin reviewing submissions and outcomes will be advised by April 15th 2024.
Session themes will be determined from the abstracts accepted. Abstract submission and a full conference program will be published to the conference website shortly afterwards.
About Edmonton
Situated on the North Saskatchewan River, Edmonton is the vibrant capital city of Alberta, Canada. Renowned for its rich cultural scene, the city effortlessly blends urban sophistication with rustic charm. Edmonton International Airport (YEG) serves as the primary hub for visitors, with over 20 airlines operating, ensuring seamless connectivity to various destinations across the globe. Visa information for international travellers can be found using the link below.
While in Edmonton, attendees can explore the famed West Edmonton Mall – North America’s largest shopping centre – or dive deep into history at Fort Edmonton Park. The city is also home to the modern Art Gallery of Alberta, the sprawling Edmonton Valley Zoo, and the Muttart Conservatory’s architectural pyramids filled with diverse plant life. For culinary enthusiasts, a plethora of restaurants offer everything from traditional Canadian delicacies to global flavors.
For a more serene experience, the Edmonton River Valley stretches over 22 times the size of New York’s Central Park, offering picturesque trails and recreational areas. The Royal Alberta Museum also provides a deep dive into the province’s cultural history, and a vibrant selection of theatre and live music is also on offer. We look forward to welcoming you to the 2024 IBA conference.
Credit: Brandon Mattice
Field Trips
IBA Conference – A lot of work and some good play!
We have 3 different field trips to choose how to spend your Wednesday during the conference. Space is limited, so make sure to reserve your space now.
FORT EDMONTON PARK TOUR
Nested on 158 acres of wooded parkland in Edmonton's river valley, Fort Edmonton Park takes you on an iconic journey through the city's incredibly rich history. From pre-European contact to the Fur Trade through to the Roaring Twenties, Fort Edmonton Park offers Edmonton's original immersive experience. This is a full day tour where you will experience Fort Edmonton’s Indigenous Peoples Experience, tour the Fort and buildings from 1846 and the Mikiwap Tipi Experience.
METIS CROSSING
Sitting on 512-acres of land, comprised of river lot titles from the original Métis settlers to the region in the late 1800s, the crossing is designed to engage and excite visitors through an exploration of Métis cultural experiences. Métis Crossing strives to represent and share elements of Métis culture; pride of culture and respect (with self-identification), family reconnection and reconciliation, sacredness of place and empathy and acknowledgement. This is a full day tour where you will choose activities to fill your day. Transportation and lunch are provided to all participants.
ELK ISLAND NATIONAL PARK AND LUNCH AT CULINA MCCAULEY
Experience the rolling hills, glassy lakes, and star-filled skies of Elk Island National Park, a UNESCO designated Biosphere Reserve just 35 minutes east of Edmonton. Look for herds of bison, elk or one of more than 250 bird species that call this special place home. This is a full day tour where you will experience a Bison Backstage Tour and have time for a guided hike through Elk Island National Park.
Credit: Tobias
Travel Grants
The Travel grants application period is now closed. This year travel grants will contribute to accommodation, conference registration and/or meal expenses up to a total value of $1500 USD per person. Submissions closed on 1st March 2024, with outcomes to be advised by 10th May 2024.
Sponsors & Vendors
The IBA Conference in Edmonton provides an important and unique opportunity to meet with and interact with the researchers, scientists and managers who are at the forefront of bear conservation and management around the world. As a conference sponsor your support will be aiding the IBA membership and support the IBA goals approximately 500 members in over 40 countries made up of bear biologists, managers, technicians, educators, and conservation practitioners with a mission to advance the scientific understanding and global conservation of the world’s 8 bear species. Sponsor support will be displayed prominently throughout the conference in a variety of formats.
The conference also provides opportunities for vendors to meet with current and new users of the various products and materials that are vital to bear conservation and research efforts, thus allowing face to face discussions while allowing attendees to see the latest developments in the field.
If you are interested in these opportunities, please contact the conference chairman.