February 17-20, 2017
College Station, Texas, in conjunction with the Southern Plant Diagnostic Network and the Southern Integrated Pest Management Center
Additional Hotels Available!
Residence Inn by Marriott
720 University Dr. East
College Station, TX 77840
Phone: +1-979-268-2200
Website: http://www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/cllri-residence-inn-bryan-college-station/?scid=bb1a189a-fec3-4d19-a255-54ba596febe2
Distance to Hilton College Station & Conference Center: 0.2 mi
Rates: starting at $132
Homewood Suites by Hilton
950 University Dr. East
College Station, TX 77840
Phone: +1-979-846-0400
Website: http://homewoodsuites3.hilton.com/en/hotels/texas/homewood-suites-by-hilton-college-station-CLLHWHW/index.html
Distance to Hilton College Station & Conference Center: 0.3 mi
Rates: starting at $131
Holiday Inn Express & Suites
1203 University Dr. East
College Station, TX 77840
Phone: +1-979-846-8700
Website: https://www.ihg.com/holidayinnexpress/hotels/us/en/college-station/cllud/hoteldetail
Distance to Hilton College Station & Conference Center: 0.4 mi
Rates: starting at $123.45
Hawthorn Suites by Wyndham
1010 University Dr. East
College Station, TX 77840
Phone: +1-979-695-9500
Website: https://www.wyndhamhotels.com/hawthorn-extended-stay/college-station-texas/hawthorn-suites-by-wyndham-college-station/overview?CID=LC:BH:20160927:Rio:Local
Distance to Hilton College Station & Conference Center: 0.9 mi
Rates: starting at $113
Hilton College Station Hotel and Transportation Information
A block of rooms has been reserved at the Hilton College Station and Conference Center for February 17, 18, and 19, 2017. The single and double room rates for the block of rooms is $129 prior to taxes (15.75%). Rooms will be available, by reservation, on a first-come first serve basis. The deadline to make reservations is January 27, 2017. There is no guarantee of room availability or rate once the block of rooms is filled and beyond this deadline. Reservations may be made by calling the Hilton, (979) 693-7500, or by visiting the website, www.hilton.com, and providing the group code “SDAPS”.
Hilton College Station and Conference Center
801 University Drive East
College Station, TX 77840-2116
Phone: (979) 693-7500
Website: http://www3.hilton.com/en/hotels/texas/hilton-college-station-and-conference-center-CLLCHHF/index.html.
Check-in: 4:00 PM
Check-out: 12:00 PM
Parking: Complimentary
Closest Airports:
1. Easterwood Airport (CLL), College Station, TX
a. Website: http://www.easterwoodairport.com/
b. Ground Transportation to Hilton:
i. Taxi, Shuttles, and Rental Cars: http://www.easterwoodairport.com/ground.html
ii. Hilton Courtesy Bus: Call 979-693-7500 to arrange a pickup.
c. Distance to conference hotel: 5 miles (15 min)
2. George Bush Intercontinental Airport Houston (IAH), Houston, TX
a. Website: http://www.airport-houston.com/
b. Ground Transportation to Hilton:
i. General: http://www.airport-houston.com/transportation.php
ii. Ground Shuttle: https://www.groundshuttle.com/#
iii. Car Rental: http://www.airport-houston.com/car-rental.php
c. Distance to conference hotel: 89 miles (90 min)
3. William P. Hobby Airport (HOU), Houston, TX
a. Website: http://houstonhobby.com/
b. Ground Transportation to Hilton:
i. Ground Shuttle: https://www.groundshuttle.com/#
c. Distance to conference hotel: 112 miles (120 min)
4. Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS), Austin, TX
a. Website: http://www.austintexas.gov/airport/
b. Ground Transportation to Hilton:
i. General: http://www.austintexas.gov/department/ground-transportation
ii. Super Shuttle: http://www.supershuttle.com/ (approx.. $300 roundtrip)
iii. Streamride: http://www.streamride.com
c. Distance to conference hotel: approx. 110 miles
Transportation (to and from Texas A&M Campus and the Hilton):
We are currently working to finalize plans with the Aggieland Classy Chassis to have transportation between the Hilton and the Texas A&M AgriLife Center provided on Saturday, February 18, 2016, and Sunday, February 19, 2016. Buses will provide transportation from the Hilton to the Texas A&M AgriLife Center prior to the start of each day’s program and from the Texas A&M AgriLife Center to the Hilton following the conclusion of each day’s program. Details will be available in the meeting program.
Details regarding transportation for the optional workshops or tours will be provided with the description for each event and will be available in the meeting program.
Parking on Campus:
Meeting attendees who do not use the provided transportation to and from the Texas A&M AgriLife Center and the Hilton will be required to set up an account with Texas A&M Transportation Services in order to purchase a pre-paid visitor permit ($5/day) to park on campus. Details are available at: http://transport.tamu.edu/Parking/visitor.aspx#prepaid. The closest parking lots to the AgriLife Center are lots 97 and 100. A map of the campus is available at: http://transportmap.tamu.edu/parkingmap/tsmap.htm?map=main
Visit Texas Websites:
https://www.traveltexas.com/#/
https://www.tripadvisor.com/Tourism-g28964-Texas-Vacations.html
http://www.texashighways.com/txtop40
Award Applications and Nominations
Outstanding Plant Pathologist Award
Donald M. Ferrin Memorial Service Award
Graduate Student Research Award
Student/Post-Doc Travel Award
Nominations for SD-APS Vice-President
2017 Call for Abstracts
Abstracts for the 2017 SD-APS meeting are no longer being accepted. The call for abstracts for the 2018 will be sent out in October/November 2017.
The 2017 SD-APS program will consist of oral and poster presentations. The SD-APS meeting is an excellent opportunity for graduate students to obtain oral presentation experience at a professional meeting.
Abstracts must be submitted online (submission link below) by December 16, 2016. Please be sure to indicate (1) if you want to have your abstract published, (2) if you will be giving a poster or oral presentation, and (3) if you will be participating in the Graduate Student Research Competition (see additional notes below).
This year there will be a limit of 25 oral presentations in the Graduate Student Research Competition. Abstract reviews for the Graduate Student Research Competition will be conducted by committee, which is similar to that implemented for the 2016 National APS Meeting. The committee will review and score each abstract for the Graduate Student Research Competition. Criteria for selection will be based on the 
SD-APS abstract guidelines and clarity of the abstract. Abstracts should provide background information to clearly understand research needs, clear objectives, sufficient methods, results, and conclusions. To be considered for the Graduate Student Research Competition, please select the appropriate response to the question below. Only one abstract per presenter will be considered for the Graduate Student Research Competition. Students will be notified by January 13, 2017, if their abstract was selected for the Graduate Student Research Competition. Authors of non-selected abstracts will be given the opportunity to present their research as a poster.
This change will not affect the submission process for oral presentations during the technical sessions; however, there is a limited number of slots for oral presentations. These slots will be filled as abstracts are received, so consider submitting an abstract of your original research earlier rather than later. There is no limit to the number of abstracts that can be submitted for poster presentations.
There is no limitation on the number of abstracts that can be submitted for poster presentations. This year more time will be allowed to view posters with authors present; however, the poster presentations will not be judged. All posters will be considered part of the technical session.
All abstracts must be reviewed by all authors AND peer-reviewed by two additional people. You will have to certify on the abstract submission form that all authors and two additional people have reviewed your abstract.
Abstract Payments: This year, an abstract submission fee i($45) s required for ALL abstracts submitted for presentation (oral or poster) at the 2017 SD-APS Meeting. In the past, the fee associated with SD-APS Meeting abstracts has been an abstract publication fee and was only required if the authors wished their abstract to be published in the supplementary issue of Phytopathology. Authors will still have the option to publish or not publish. You must indicate if you want your abstract published or not published on the abstract submission form. Abstract submission fees must be paid at the time of registration (either online or paper) and will not be accepted through the abstract submission process. Abstract fees must be paid by the advance registration deadline (January 6, 2017) otherwise your abstract will be removed from program consideration.
Oral presentation guidelines: Fifteen minutes will be allowed for each oral presentation in the Graduate Student Research Competition and technical sessions with 13 minutes for the presentation and 2 minutes for questions. Equipment will be available for digital presentations (PowerPoint) via LCD. Bring your presentation in PowerPoint format (PC compatible) on a USB memory stick. Please note, presentations will be projected onto a TV Wall consisting of 28 46” LCD panels. This setup creates a grid with black bars. 
Guidelines and a template for creating a Power Point presentation customized to this set are available by clicking here.
Poster presentation guidelines: Posters will follow standard APS guidelines and must not exceed 46 inches wide by 45 inches high.
Abstract Submission Instructions:
(submission closed Friday, December 16, 2016)
Abstracts for the 2017 SD-APS meeting are no longer being accepted. The call for abstracts for the 2018 will be sent out in October/November 2017.
1) Go to the ABSTRACT SUBMISSION FORM
2) Enter Abstract Title, submitter e-mail, type, and answer three questions.
3) Enter Author information
4) Enter Abstract Text
5) You will receive an e-mail confirmation.
6) A $45 publication fee is required and payment must be remitted via your meeting registration form.
You can withdraw or reinstate your abstract submission before the December 16 deadline.
For questions or problems regarding the online abstract submission form, contact us here.
Symposium
Symposium: “All Aboard! Moving IPM Toward a Collaborative Future”
Broad collaboration is needed to make integrated pest management (IPM) effective in reducing crop losses and ensuring that the latest research is implemented to make sure growers have the most effective, environmentally compatible, and economically feasible tactics. State IPM Coordinators play a key role in facilitating successful programs not only in their state, but also in cooperation with other programs in the region. This session presents the activities and perspectives from five of the regions IPM Program Coordinators. Join us to learn more about IPM in the Southern Region and participate in a discussion on how we can work together to advance IPM.
Speakers: David Kerns, Texas A&M University; David Langston; Tom Royer, Oklahoma State University; Glenn Studebaker, University of Arkansas; Clayton Hollier, Louisiana State University.
Join us for a webinar on Feb 19, 2017 at 8:00 AM CST
Register now! https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/275320291205459715
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar.
View System Requirements
Workshops
Grant Writing Workshop; Sponsored by Southern IPM Center ($20)
(click here for full workshop agenda)
Friday, February 17, 2017, 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Description: Learn how to better prepare your grants! This workshop will explore components and organization of a successful grant proposal, understanding logic models, budgets, and evaluations. Lunch will be provided. Limited to 28 people.
Turfgrass Pathology Diagnostics Training Workshop (this has been cancelled)
Careers 101 Workshop: Acing the Interview (FREE)
Saturday, February 17, 2017, 12:00 PM – 1:30 PM
Description: Congratulations! You’ve got an interview! Learn what to do and what to expect from the time you accept the interview until the process is complete. Workshop is intended for early career professionals, postdocs, and students.
Tours
Ag Around TAMU Tour ($15)
Monday, February 20, 2017, 7:30 AM – 12:30 PM
Description: Tour local agricultural facilities near Texas A&M University including (tentatively) the antique rose production farm, the USDA-ARS Pecan Germplasm Facility, and the Texas A&M Rose and Stone Breeding Program plots. Transportation will be provided. Limited to 50 people.
Socials
Welcome Reception
Friday, February 17, 2017, 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Reception will take place at the Hilton College Station. Hors d’oeuvres will be provided.
Welcome to College Station, TX! Join your fellow meeting attendees for socializing, networking, and hors d’oeuvres.
Graduate Student/Postdoc Social/Meeting (FREE)
Saturday, February 18, 2017, 6:00 PM – 7:30 PM
Social/meeting will take place at the Texas A&M AgriLife Building. Please indicate if you plan to attend this meeting. A head count is needed.
Description: Get to know your fellow graduate students from the Southern Division! Discuss the role and future goals of the group within the Division. Vote for your incoming Graduate Student Representative. Participate in activities for which you can win prizes. Graduate students and post-docs are invited to attend. Please indicate your attendance on the meeting registration form. Visit the SD-APS Graduate Student Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/gradstudentssd/?fref=ts) or contact Rodrigo Onofre, rodrigobonofre@gmail.com, for further details.
Meeting Registration
(includes Banquet)
NOTE: Registrants will not be allowed to make changes (online) to their registration after the initial payment has been submitted. Payment for any additional optional events must be made by calling Cindy Scheller at APS Headquarters (651) 994-3808 before the meeting.
Online Registration (click this link to register online)
(please note you must be logged into APSnet to register online. If you are new to the APS webiste, please create a new account)
By Phone
Call Cindy Scheller at APS Headquarters at +1.651.994.3808
By Fax/Mail
Click here to print a.pdf of the 2017 Meeting Registration Form that can be faxed or mailed to APS Headquarters.
(Note: we do not recommend sending your credit card information via e-mail since it is not secure. Please fax, phone, or mail your credit card information.)
