The American Society for Virology (ASV) is a vibrant community of virologists from all areas of the field. The annual meetings are rich in diverse scientific offerings and often draw sizable crowds, sometimes exceeding 1600 attendees! While these meetings may not quite rival some of the goliath meetings out there (think ASM, American Society for Cell Biology, etc.), they are still big enough that seeing and attending everything presents a challenge. With a little planning, and the help of the ASV meeting mobile app, you can make sure to get the most out of attending the ASV annual meeting.

BEFORE YOU GO

About a month before the meeting, you will receive an email containing a link and instructions to access the meeting program and workshop/poster abstracts. You can do this via the ASV mobile app or by downloading the PDF version. The PDF is static and may not reflect last-minute changes, while the app is updated regularly.

The app (iPhone, Android, desktop) is free and contains the program, room locations, meal/social info, and allows you to construct your own schedule. Tip: heavy use may drain your phone battery — bring a charger!

Plan your schedule about a week before the meeting; ASV workshops often run concurrently and it’s impossible to attend everything. Having a plan ensures you maximize your time. Be prepared for occasional schedule shifts and walking between sessions.

Remember: It’s okay to arrive late or leave early — just do so quietly.

Event Types

Symposia Sessions (Plenary lectures): No concurrent scheduling; keynote + topical lectures of broad interest.

State of the Art lectures: Begin select workshops, covering specialized advances.

Workshop sessions: The core of ASV. 12-min talks + 3-min questions. Often end with flash talks.

Flash talks: 3-min poster previews; find presenters at posters for more details.

Poster sessions: Five sessions, followed by networking socials — great for Q&A and connections.

Special events: Look for TWiV live shows, discussion tables, career workshops, and bootcamps.

Welcome events: Reception before keynote; refresh yourself early as food won’t be available until the evening social.

NETWORKING

Networking is a key part of ASV. Ask questions during talks/posters — scientists love to discuss their work! Coffee breaks, socials, lunch discussions, and workshops provide opportunities to meet others.

Exchange contact info (business cards, QR codes on posters, professional social media handles). Use the mobile app to connect with people and stay updated on job postings.

Tip: Don’t be shy — even the ASV dance floor is a networking opportunity!

PRESENTING AT ASV

Upload presentations ahead of time via Dropbox to avoid delays. On-site upload room available but limited. ASV uses Wordly + PowerPoint live captioning for accessibility. Practice with captions enabled if possible.

Poster presenters should locate their assigned board before setup. With 200–300 posters per session, knowing your spot helps reduce stress.

ASV’s website has specific tips for oral talks, flash talks, and posters. Check those resources for details.