Social Events
Social Events
The National Organizing Committee is excited to host a variety of social events, in addition to tours, during the week of the Symposium! The social events are described below and you’re encouraged to select the events of interest to you during registration!
Please note, you are invited to register an Accompanying Person for the Welcome Reception and the Gala Dinner. The additional social events are for delegates only at this time.
Welcome Reception - CLOSED
Date: Sunday, May 4
Time: 6:00pm
Price: Included in registration (please register through the registration portal)
Location: Victoria Conference Centre, Salon A and Foyer
Start the symposium with a cultural welcome, networking, and socializing.
Hosted by the International Seaweed Association and the National Organizing Committee, with generous support from Acadian Seaplants.
Student and Early Career Researchers Networking Night
Date: Monday, May 5
Time: 6:30pm
Price: $25 CAD
Secure your ticket through the registration portal. Your ticket purchase secures you a spot for the Early Career Researchers Panel Discussion on Thursday night.
Location: Herald Street Brew Works, 506 Herald Street, Victoria, BC
Join fellow students and early career researchers for a relaxed evening of networking, pub-style trivia, and light refreshments. Connect, unwind, and test your seaweed knowledge in a casual and fun setting!
SUPPORTED BY C-WEED MWANI
25th Anniversary Gala Dinner - SOLD OUT
Date: Tuesday, May 6
Time: 6:30pm
Price: $150 CAD
Secure your ticket through the registration portal.
Location: Crystal Garden at the Victoria Conference Centre
Celebrate 25 years of the International Seaweed Symposium with an evening of dinner, dancing, and connection at the stunning Crystal Garden. Don’t miss this chance to honor the past and toast to the future!
Dakini Tidal Wilds Drop-In Event
Date: Wednesday, May 7
Time: 10:00am – 12:00pm
Price: Free
Location: Victoria Conference Centre, Saanich Room
Come and meet local author, educator, and wild edible seaweed harvester, Amanda Swinimer, at this informal drop-in event. Amanda will have a variety of fresh, local seaweeds to explore which showcase the array of sizes, shapes and colours of the seaweeds growing in the waters off Vancouver Island. Amanda will also have both of her books available for purchase: The Science and Spirit of Seaweed: Discovering Food, Medicine and Purpose in the Kelp Forests of the Pacific Northwest and The Science and Superpowers of Seaweed: A Guide for Kids.
Seaweed on the Silver Screen
Date: Wednesday, May 7th
Time: 1:00pm-4:30pm
Price: $20
Location: Victoria Conference Centre, Lecture Theatre
Join us on the afternoon of May 7 — a social day with no conference programming — for a relaxed screening of short seaweed-themed films, light refreshments, and great company.
Log in to the registration portal to grab your ticket today! Accompanying persons welcome. Register Now!
blueTIDES After Dark
Date: Wednesday, May 7th
Time: 5:30pm-8:00pm
Price: FREE, but must have a ticket. Limited space available. Register today!
Location: CRAFT Beer Market, 450 Swift St, Victoria, BC
Drinks, appetizers, and in-water demos of the BlueROV2 and BlueBoat, hosted by Blue Robotics and the International Seaweed Symposium!
Early Career Researchers Panel Discussion
Date: Thursday, May 8
Time: 6:30pm
Location: Victoria Conference Centre, Theatre
Curious about different career paths in seaweed research? Join us for an engaging panel discussion and gain insights from early career researchers as they share their experiences and advice! Generously hosted by North Island College.
Industry Night - SOLD OUT
Date: Thursday, May 8
Time: 6:30pm
Location: Parkside Hotel, 810 Humboldt Street, Victoria, BC
This event will feature a series of lightning talks by global industry representatives, as well as refreshments and networking! Generously hosted by Cascadia Seaweed and sponsored by COAST Ocean Innovation Hub and the Ocean Startup Project.
Closing Ceremony
Date: Friday, May 9
Time: 12:00pm
Price: Included in registration
Location: Victoria Conference Centre, Salon B
Wrap up the week with reflections, awards for top presentations, and the Dr. Maxwell Doty Prize for Applied Phycology. Plus, get a special invitation to the next International Seaweed Symposium!