Frequently asked questions

CANVAS 2026 will take place in Portland, OR | Nov. 1 - 4, 2026

The meeting runs from Sunday, November 1 through Wednesday, November 4. 

You do not need to be a member to attend, but registration rates are reduced for members and in addition to these savings, membership provides a wide variety of benefits for all. 

No meals are included, but there are breaks and receptions where snacks and coffee may be available.

The CANVAS 2026 program is usually finalized in August and will be available online.

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.

We offer a variety of CANVAS Travel Awards that are intended to support our members with financial assistance to attend CANVAS. 

You must submit an application for consideration of Travel Awards during open submission periods. 

• CANVAS Travel Awards open May 5, 2026
• CANVAS Travel Awards close July 9, 2026

Learn about CANVAS Travel Awards

Job seekers and employers will connect with jobs, internships, and fellowships in academia, industry, government, and non-profit sectors at the Career Center. There is not physical location to post ads onsite, so we recommend to post in the Member Hub.

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.

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.

Yes, please check the meeting app for the location.

The Societies do not offer childcare services at CANVAS. The hotel in which you’re staying may have some recommendations for companies that provide this service. We are not responsible for recommendations provided by any of the hotels. 

Yes, please check the meeting app for the location.

Receptions and breaks are buffet-style functions, which will allow you to select foods that meet your needs, but it's important to keep your information with us up to date so we can order accordingly. Please update your dietary restrictions/needs here. 

Stay tuned for this information!

The early abstract deadline was June 9, and the final submission deadline for in-person abstracts was June 23. Virtual submissions will remain open through September 23.

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.

No. Meeting registration is a separate process that is required for all presenters.

There is a limit of two contributed submissions per presenting author per Society.

Submitting authors will be notified of their abstract acceptance and presentation scheduling in early September.

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.

Please email your request (including your abstract ID number for expediency) to the Technical Program Manager.

No refunds will be available for abstract submissions.

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.

1. Go to 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.

Visit ACSESS Publications to learn more about the benefits of publishing with ACSESS.

In addition to the ASA, CSSA, SSSA Statement of Ethics, those attending or hosting an event at CANVAS agree to abide by the Meeting Code of Conduct.

Before Leaving Home 

• Follow relevant guidance provided by the World Health Organization (WHO), or your local health authority.
• Adhere to government-issued travel restrictions and guidance issued by the region you will be traveling to and the region you are traveling from.
• Evaluate your own health and that of people you are in close contact with.
• Stay home if you feel sick. 

On-site During the Event

• Follow guidance from your local health authority, for everyday preventive actions to help prevent the spread of respiratory viruses including:
  • Washing hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, or an alcohol-based sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol.
  • Avoid touching eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
  • Cover your nose and mouth when coughing or sneezing. Throw used tissues in the trash.
  • Cleaning and disinfecting frequently touched objects and surfaces using a regular household cleaning spray or wipe.
• Seek professional medical care (for example: visit the event First Aid office or equivalent) any time you feel unwell or are experiencing flu-like symptoms.

A person can be the presenting author on one contributed (volunteered) oral paper per Society. The person may be listed as a non-presenting author on additional papers. All authors connected to a presentation and/or abstract must agree on all information contained in the presentation. Final presentation format is determined by the community leader or division chair. Failure of an author to agree to the presentation format will lead to the presentation being withdrawn from the conference. Once the submission is accepted into the program, all abstract submitters must intend to register, attend, and present at the Annual Meeting. Repeated and consecutive last minute cancellations by presenters may result in future submissions being denied. 
Session and symposia presentations should be restricted to science and should not contain advertising or “infomercials”. 

Authors are encouraged to publish their work presented in oral and poster sessions in Society publications (journals and books). Symposia organizers will be asked to coordinate publication of symposia presentations in Society publications. Ideally, this process should begin prior to the date of the symposium. Regardless of whether the symposium itself is published, authors of invited papers at any symposia are encouraged to publish their paper(s) in Society journals. All manuscripts will go through the normal peer review process. 

Members of the pre-registered media and ACSESS staff are allowed to photograph, and audio tape all sessions. ACSESS or contractors may videotape all sessions. All media must request prior approval for video with objectives, distribution, and audience for their video at least 10 business days before the meeting. Approval for videotaping is not guaranteed. ACSESS reserves the right to ask for and use raw footage. Otherwise, there is to be no use of photography or personal recording devices in the session rooms. 

We welcome everyone to Portland for an exciting CANVAS 2026 meeting! 

We appreciate that you, our members and attendees, understand the importance of professional and respectful conduct at the meeting. Our sciences and Societies are stronger for the positive discourse and interactions among all of us. And we honor the uniqueness that we each bring to our sciences and Societies. To ensure an inclusive and positive environment, we are committed to providing an experience where diversity is celebrated and where everyone feels respected and has a sense of belonging. We will not abide by any form of harassment or discrimination and will regard any that might happen, even if done unintentionally, as a serious matter. The Code of Conduct applies to speakers, attendees, volunteers, and staff. At the discretion of the Society leadership, participants violating these rules may be asked to leave the meeting.

To ensure that the meeting is a positive experience for everyone, we all need to take responsibility. So, if you see something, SAY something. This year, we will again have a DEI and Safe Space Advocate. An advocate is one who supports and provides confidential assistance. There are no required guidelines for participants to access the DEI and Safe Space Advocate services. There are several reasons why participants may want to report an issue and/or seek guidance on an incident such as:

• Harassment (physical, sexual, and verbal)
• Uncomfortable experiences
• A lack of inclusion and respect
• Biased behavior/microaggressions
• Unwanted touches/over friendliness/inappropriate jokes

The Societies are collaborating with Dr. Kathleen Canul, as our Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) and Safe Space Advocate. Attendees who experience or witness any inappropriate conduct are encouraged to contact Kathleen. She has extensive experience in conflict resolution, interpersonal communications, and is multi-lingual (Spanish-language fluent).

Dr. Canul will be available on-site to talk with any attendee who would like to report an incident at the meeting or up to four weeks post-meeting or provide comments or feedback on our DEI efforts and activities. She will coordinate further discussion and investigation, if needed. Any conversations with Dr. Canul will only be reported in the aggregate to the DEI Committee.

View the Message from the presidents.

View our Professionalism in our societies video.

Dr. Canul may be reached in the following ways: 

Meeting App
Navigate from General Information to the Health and Safety section.

On-site: Room 128 (1^st Floor), Convention Center, during meeting hours

• Sunday: 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm
• Monday-Wednesday: 9:00 am – 6:00 pm

Phone and Text Hours
(949) 293-7515

• Sunday: 6:00 pm - 9:00 pm
• Monday: 9:00 am – 6:00 pm
• Tuesday: 9:00 am – 6:00 pm
• Wednesday 9:00 am – 6:00 pm

Email 
@email
Kathleen will respond to email during the same hours as the above phone hours plus Monday-Wednesday from 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm

Via Calendly
https://calendly.com/kathleencanul/new-meeting
Attendees may request an appointment with Kathleen during the meeting and for four weeks post meeting. 
Request a time and she will confirm or suggest an alternative time to meet/call.

Jim Cudahy, Societies CEO, will be available 24-hours per day at (434) 882-4736.

The Societies are working to create meaningful change in the areas of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI). We are committed to providing an experience where diversity is celebrated and where everyone feels respected and has a sense of belonging. We strongly prohibit any form of harassment or discrimination. If you’ve experienced any inappropriate conduct, please share it with us online or in-person.

DEI impact and contacts

• Everyone is welcome and encouraged to attend
• Anyone can submit a scientific abstract, including both in-person and/or virtual presentations, and most are accepted!
• The Societies aim to be inclusive and allow everyone to gain professional recognition and presentation experience, all while expanding your CV/vita, sharing information for all to succeed, and fostering collaborations with your peers.
• The Annual Meeting ACS732 Program Planning Committee DEI/LGBTQ+ Representative provides member representation regarding diversity, equity, and inclusion, including topics needing to be covered at the Annual Meeting.
• We work with our host city, venue, and contractor partners on collaborative DEI efforts.
• We design CANVAS with DEI in mind: all-gender restrooms, a lactation area, accessible rooms, pronoun ribbons, inclusive language, diversity in programming and in presenters, etc.
• We collect accommodation needs (such as audio, mobility, visual, and other) at the point of registration and work one-on-one to accommodate.

We appreciate our members and attendees, and understand the importance of professional and respectful conduct at the meeting. Our sciences and Societies are stronger for the positive discourse and interactions among all of us. And we honor the uniqueness that we each bring to our sciences and Societies. To ensure an inclusive and positive environment, we are committed to providing an experience where diversity is celebrated and where everyone feels respected and has a sense of belonging. We will not abide by any form of harassment or discrimination and will regard any that might happen, even if done unintentionally, as a serious matter. The Code of Conduct applies to speakers, attendees, volunteers, and staff. At the discretion of the Society leadership, participants violating these rules may be asked to leave the meeting.

Waste

• We offer and promote a conference app instead of paper programs.
• We order recycle bins in areas that recycle.
• We ask presenters to utilize electronic distribution.
• We use electronic methods for our marketing and on-site communications.
• We recycle and/or reuse event supplies whenever possible.
• We offer an online/virtual meeting.
• We encourage online registration.
• We minimize the use of and re-use or recycle floral decorations and plants and request they be local.
• We use or rent the venue's centerpieces rather than purchase new ones that go to landfill afterwards.
• We connect exhibitors with donation opportunities to redirect landfill items.
• We ask staff and exhibitors to reduce single-use giveaways and choose reusable giveaways, made from durable or recycled materials, or consumable.
• We are working towards reusable banners and signage.
• We do not carpet most of the exhibit hall.
• We use crates to package our freight when shipping, rather than individual packing/bubble wrap.

Purchasing

• We do not distribute attendee bags or swag at registration.
• We ask staff to purchase eco-friendly event supplies and order from B Corp Certified businesses.
• We distribute awards in electronic format instead of using plaques.
• We use recycled materials for our lanyards and our name badges are biodegradable.

Food & dining

• We order compost bins in areas that compost.
• We use reusable plates and utensils at special and ticketed event meals; we use zero Styrofoam.
• We select buffet-style menus when possible to reduce waste from plated food.
• Leftover food is asked to be donated if possible by law; typically our ordering is close to no waste.
• We select some of the same menu options across meals to keep over-ordering to a minimum.
• We ask for and order local and organic when possible.
• We have meatless options at every food event.
• When possible we use water pitchers and water fountains to help preserve water and eliminate bottle waste.
• If table quality allows, we ask for no tablecloths to reduce waste from laundry including soaps and bleach. We do not use plastic tablecloths.

Partners & community

• We select conference hotels that are near where the conference is and invest in the communities hosting us via donations of time and money to local food banks.
• We work with partners who share our commitment to sustainability.
  • View GES's impact report.
• Via electronic communication and social media, we ask attendees to contribute (see below.)

How you can help

• Taking advantage of public transportation options, especially to/from the airport where offered.
• Carpool to the meeting if possible.
• Bringing and using your own water bottle and refill from permanent water stations.
• Choosing plant-based foods (even just one day of the conference) supports the creation of ecologically sound food systems.
• Don't take foods or beverages you won't eat or drink.
• Utilize electronic distribution; if you must print, print double-sided on 100% post-consumer recycled, agricultural residue, and/or FSC-certified content paper.
• Placing any materials you wish to discard in the appropriate collection receptacle.
• Taking advantage of your hotel’s green housekeeping program. If they do not have one, request that they begin providing one.
• Turn off all lights and the air-conditioning warmer in your hotel room before leaving each day.