FAQs

General Information
Abstracts
Presentations
Registration
Travel & Hotel
Students

General Information

Where is CANVAS this year?: CANVAS 2025 is in Salt Lake City, Utah.
When does the in-person CANVAS begin and end?: The meeting runs from Sunday, November 9 through Wednesday, November 12. The scientific program begins Sunday with the Opening Keynote at 5:45 pm and concludes Wednesday with the Closing Reception beginning at 4:30 pm. There are several workshops and tours available as early at Friday, November 7 that require an additional registration fee. Please check the program or app to confirm schedule.
Do I need to be a member to attend?: No, but registration rates are reduced for members.
Are any meals included with registration?: No meals are included, but there are breaks and receptions where snacks and coffee may be available.
Where can I access the program?: When finalized around August, the online program will be posted here and, closer to the meeting, on the free app.
I’m an invited speaker. Do I need to register to attend?: The Societies’ policy is to waive registration rates for non-member invited symposia speakers only. If you are a member of ASA, CSSA, or SSSA, you must register normally. If you are a non-member speaking in a volunteer session, you must register normally.
Where can I search for or post job ads at the meeting?: Job seekers and employers will connect with jobs, internships, and fellowships in academia, industry, government, and non-profit sectors at the Career Center.
What should I wear?: Most attendees wear business casual clothing, although some dress more formally for giving their presentations. The meeting rooms are often kept at cool temperatures so layered clothing is recommended.
Can I earn Continuing Education Units (CEUs) at CANVAS?: Yes, You can earn CEUs toward your Certified Crop Adviser (CCA), Certified Professional Agronomist (CPAg), or Certified Professional Soil Scientist (CPSS)certifications. See pre-approved sessions for CEUs here.
Is there a room available where I can nurse in private?: Yes, please check the meeting app for the location.
Is childcare available?: The Societies do not offer childcare services at CANVAS. The hotel in which you’re staying should have some recommendations for companies that provide this service.
Are all gender restrooms available?: Yes, please check the meeting app for the location.
Where do I input my dietary restrictions/needs?: Receptions and breaks are buffet-style functions, which will allow you to select foods that meet your needs, but all registrants will receive a confirmation with a link to enter their dietary restrictions.
How can I rent a wheelchair or scooter for the meeting?: Stay tuned for this information!
Does Salt Lake City have a safe walk companion service?: Stay tuned for this information!

Abstracts

When is the deadline for abstracts?: In-person and virtual abstract submissions will open March 18. In-person abstract submission closes on July 8, 2025. Virtual abstract submissions closes on October 1, 2025. Please note that your abstract can be edited through the dates of the Annual Meeting. If you missed the deadline, please watch this website and submit to the 2026 Annual Meeting.
What if I don't have enough detail for an abstract before the submission deadline?: Not a problem! Please note that abstracts at this point are “holding slots” that reserve your spot in the desired session. The Program Planning Committee will require a title, full payment, and just enough abstract content to ensure your submissions are placed in proper sessions. Research details and more solid content can be added through the last day of the meeting. Edits to your abstract will be reflected in the online/app versions of the program - even while onsite.
Does submitting an abstract register me for CANVAS?: No. Meeting registration is a separate process that is required for all presenters.
When will I receive notification of my abstract acceptance and presentation time?: Submitting authors will be notified of their abstract acceptance and presentation scheduling in early September.
Why haven’t I received any correspondence about the abstract I submitted?: Please make sure you’re listed as the presenting author and have the correct email address entered in your abstract submission. If that is correct, please check your organization’s spam filter.
How do I cancel my abstract?: Please email your request (including your abstract ID number for expediency) to the Technical Program Manager.
Can I get a refund for my submission upon cancelling?: No refunds will be given for abstract submissions.
How can I update my abstract/presentation after submitting?: You will need your email submission confirmation, which contains login instructions, and then you will be able to edit the author, title, content, etc. Editing of submissions can be done all the way up to the start of CANVAS. If you can't find this email, log in with your Society login information here.
How do I get a receipt for my abstract?: 1. Go to https://web.sciencesocieties.org/My-Account/My-Invoices and Sign In,
2. Click on the invoice number. This will take you to a screen where you can view and print/download your receipt.
How do I take the next step from meeting presentation to publishing with the Societies?: Visit https://www.sciencesocieties.org/publications to learn more about the benefits of publishing with ACSESS.

Presentations

Oral Presentations

How long is an oral presentation?

Contributed oral talks are either 5 or 15 minutes long:

For 15-minute presentations, we suggest 12 minutes for the talk and 3 minutes for Q&A/transition to the next speaker.
The 5-minute Rapid presentations feature three slides per talk. This style tells the story in a short, impactful way.

Invited symposia talks vary in length but are usually 20-30 minutes. If you’re a symposia speaker, please check your presentation length and leave time at the end of your presentation for Q&A and transition to the next speaker.

Can I use animations in my presentation?

Yes, you can. With 5-minute Rapid presentations, it is not recommended to have any animations in order to save room for information on slides.

What slide format is supported?

Use the widescreen 16:9 format when creating your PowerPoint slides--4:3 format will not work.

Poster Presentations

What size does my poster need to be?

Each presenter is provided with a half-size 4-foot high by 4-foot wide poster board (1.2 m by 1.2 m). Poster boards have a 1-inch frame so we recommend that your poster be no larger than 45 inches high by 45 inches wide. Posters can be any size within these maximum dimensions.

How do I hang up my poster?

Only Velcro is allowed to use to hang your poster--absolutely no push pins. Velcro will be available onsite at the entrance of the Exhibit Hall while supplies last.

Where and when do I set up and present my poster?

All poster sessions will be in the Exhibit Hall. Every poster presenter will receive specific instructions, including their assigned board number, in an email before the meeting. Otherwise, you can locate your poster listing in the online program to find your assigned board number which will be on the upper left corner of the board onsite.

All poster presenters will display their poster for one day and should set-up and remove their posters as follows:

Monday
Set-up Time*: 7:00–9:00 am
Display Time: 9:00 am–6:00 pm
Removal Time**: 6:00–6:15 pm

Tuesday
Set-up Time*: 7:00–9:00 am
Display Time: 9:00 am–6:00 pm
Removal Time**: 6:00–6:15 pm

Wednesday
Set-up Time*: 7:00–9:00 am
Display Time: 9:00 am–4:30 pm
Removal Time**: 4:30–4:45 pm

Presenting authors are asked to be at their poster during their assigned poster session time.

*Be sure to set up your poster between 7:00-9:00am on the day of your presentation, as many attendees and judges enjoy viewing posters ahead of the actual presentations.

**Posters remaining after removal time will be removed each night and discarded.

Is there a specific format I need to have my poster in?

Due to increased survey feedback requesting alternate scientific poster layouts, the Societies is drawing our poster presenters’ attention to Mike Morrison’s poster templates. Please note that this alternate format is merely an option for our poster authors and not required by the Societies.
Please feel free to further explore this concept through this related article.

Can I upload a PDF version of my poster?

If you would like your poster to appear in the online program, you may upload it as a simple PDF file. You can upload your poster file by logging in via the Speakers Corner. It can be multiple pages but must be only one file (60 MB file size limit).

Virtual Presentations

Can I transfer my in-person presentation to a virtual presentation?

Once the onsite scheduling, space, and rooms are finalized in mid-August, we will unfortunately be unable to transfer in-person presentations to virtual sessions. However, there is an “optional prerecording” module along the left side of your Speakers Corner if you would like your oral presentation to simply be played at the proper time in the physical room (uploading due by Oct. 31 in order to be included in the meeting platform). The limitation to that module is that it is not accessible to virtual attendees (including you) until a few weeks after the meeting when the rest of the in-person recordings are released to the platform. There is no livestream or interactive component to the pre-recordings – they are simply played at the proper time. Although your virtual registration will give you access to content only within the limited virtual programs, it will also allow both virtual and in-person attendees to request contact with you at any time during the meeting via the annual meeting program platform. Of course, if that option is not desirable, please confirm your cancellation.

Can I have my presentation livestreamed during the meeting?

No, all virtual presentations must be prerecorded for on-demand access.

Do I really need a registration in addition to my virtual abstract submission?

Yes, all virtual submission presenting authors must have a corresponding paid registration (virtual or in-person) in order to submit your virtual abstract.

How do I set up and upload my prerecorded oral presentation?

Helpful setup and uploading instructions/tips can be found by logging into the Speakers Corner.

What is an Eposter?

You have the option of uploading a prerecorded Eposter presentation and/or a simple PDF poster file if you wish. With much the same feel as an oral presentation, Eposter presenters walk attendees through the poster section by section. Eposter presentations are prerecorded for on-demand access and should last between 2-10 minutes. Additional setup details can be accessed by logging into the Speakers Corner.

Please view the below Eposter examples for reference:

Eposter Example #1

Eposter Example #2

Registration

How can I make sure I am registered?: 1. Go to our society website: https://web.sciencesocieties.org and Sign In,
2. Click on My Account,
3. Click on My Registrations – if you are registered, it will show CANVAS 2025,
4. If nothing is there, Click on Events and choose the CANVAS 2025 and it will take you to register.
What does the registration fee include?: With a paid registration, you will have access to the opening keynote, opening and closing receptions, sessions, exhibit hall, and the chance to add on professional tours, hands-on workshops, and Society-specific breakfasts.
What does the virtual registration fee include?: The limited virtual option is a focused version of our in-person meeting and includes access to live audio/content broadcasts of the Opening Keynote and ASF Lectureship Series, along with internationally contributed virtual oral and poster presentations.
How do I print my registration receipt?: 1. Go to https://web.sciencesocieties.org/My-Account/My-Invoices and Sign In.
2. Click on the invoice number. This will take you to a screen where you can view and print/download your receipt.
How do I add an event to my already paid for registration?: 1. Go to https://web.sciencesocieties.org/My-Account/My-Registrations and Sign In,
2. Click on View/Edit Details,
3. Click on Edit next to your name. This will take you back to the registration page and you can update your address/badge as well as add sessions,
4. Click on Check Out when you are done. This will take you to a screen where you can pay with your credit card.
What is the cancellation/refund policy?: Cancellation and refund information is available here.
How do I request a letter of intended participation for my visa application?: You may request a letter of intended participation here.

Travel & Hotel

Which airport is closest to the meeting?: The closest airport is Salt Lake City International Airport (SLC).
Where are hotels that are close to the convention center?: All hotels in the Societies reserved block are close to the convention center and will be released in March.
When and how can I reserve my hotel room, learn more about payments, and find a cancellation policy?: ASA, CSSA and SSSA have negotiated discounted rates for you at hotels within walking distance of the Convention Center. More information will be available in March.
>What are some fun things to do in and around Salt Lake City?: The Visit Salt Lake City website can provide you with suggestions on where to eat and what to do.

Students

Are there student competitions this year?: Yes! The full list for 2025 will be available in March.
What are some of the student events at the meeting?: A full list of student-specific activities is available here. All students are strongly encouraged to attend all parts of the professional program that interest them.
Is there any travel support for students attending the meeting?: Students seeking travel funding should review https://www.acsmeetings.org/students/ and contact Grace Moran for additional questions.

There is no endorsement intended by ASA, CSSA, or SSSA for attractions, products, services, or vendors mentioned on these pages, nor is any criticism implied of similar attractions, services, or vendors not mentioned.

The above information is subject to change.