4 th WORLD CONFERENCE ON MARINE BIODIVERSITY May 13-16, 2018 montréal, canada The ocean constitutes over 90% of the habitable space on the planet, and hosts a major part of global biodiversity: 30% of phyla are exclusively marine, compared to a single phylum found exclusively on land. According to UNESCO, 60% of the world s major marine ecosystems have been degraded or are not used sustainably, and more than half of the world s marine species may be at high risk of extinction by 2100. (www.unesco.org) www.wcmb2018.org
T he World Conference on Marine Biodiversity (WCMB) has become the major focal assembly for sharing research outcomes, management and policy issues, and for discussions of the role of biodiversity and biodiversity conservation in sustaining ocean ecosystems. Arranged on a 3-4 year-cycle, previous WCMB meetings (Valencia, Spain; Aberdeen, Scotland; Qingdao, China) attracted leading specialists and participants from around the world, and catalyzed numerous sidebar sessions on marine biodiversity issues. The 4 th World Conference on Marine Biodiversity will bring together scientists, practitioners, and policy makers to discuss and advance our understanding of the importance and current state of biodiversity in the marine environment. Through a mix of keynote sessions, contributed talks and posters, and opportunities for focused side meetings, the conference program will address marine biodiversity across a deliberately wide range of relevant sectors. Participation will be encouraged from the greatest possible breadth of stakeholder groups from academia to government to industry. The 4 th WCMB has the support of the major Canadian marine science research networks (Canadian Healthy Ocean Network, Ocean Networks Canada, Ocean Tracking Network, Québec-Océan, ArcticNet), relevant Canadian government agencies (Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Canadian Nature Museum, Parks Canada) and international organizations (Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity and Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals). Following on from the Life in a Changing Ocean theme of the 3 rd WCMB, the 4 th WCMB theme will be Connecting with the living ocean underlining the need to replace our current exploitation relationship with the ocean s living resources, with a sustainable connection based on scientific knowledge. This theme will be particularly topical as the 4 th WCMB will be held two years before the end of the United Nations Decade on Biodiversity 2011 2020 (Resolution 65/161), providing an opportunity to discuss progress towards the Strategic Plan for Biodiversity 2011-2020 and its 20 Aichi Biodiversity Targets.
CONFERENCE OBJECTIVES The 4 th WCMB will connect scientists with decision and policy-makers, NGOs, industries, and other various stakeholders in order to: Review current knowledge of marine biodiversity and its role in marine ecosystem function and services. Assess past, present, and future critical threats to marine ecosystems and discuss management and conservation strategies and measures. Encourage inter-disciplinary discussions among researchers, policy makers, NGOs, industry and other various stakeholders. Discuss the contribution of marine biodiversity to sustainable development. Identify future priorities for research, monitoring and management to inform relevant policy processes. Within the proposed conference themes listed below, we will cover broad areas of current challenges relating to marine biodiversity research, monitoring and conservation and sustainable use. Biodiversity in a Changing Ocean Application of Biodiversity Knowledge Biodiversity Tools & Data Marine Biodiversity in the Anthropocene Strategies for Conservation of Marine Biodiversity Biodiversity Discovery & Prediction Blue Biotechnology & Marine Genetic Resources Linking Biodiversity to Ecosystem Function & Services Human Element Innovative elements Carlo Heip Excellence Award A special virtual laboratory session in collaboration with Ocean Networks Canada will connect students attending the 4 th WCMB with live imagery and data feeds from a network of cabled seafloor observatories located off the West coast of Canada. A mentoring program will connect senior scientists with students. The Carlo Heip Award in Marine Biodiversity was inaugurated in recognition of Carlo Heip s leadership in marine biodiversity research and founding of the World Conference on Marine Biodiversity. The 2018 Carlo Heip Award will congratulate an individual who have demonstrated exemplary leadership in marine biodiversity science.
MONTREAL & THE CONVENTION CENTER AN ATTRACTIVE DESTINATION FOR CONVENTIONEERS Vibrant, safe and affordable, Montréal is one of the most exciting destinations in Canada Located in the province of Québec along the St. Lawrence Seaway, and founded by French settlers over 375 years ago, Montréal is one of the oldest cities on the North American continent. Cosmopolitan and accessible, Montréal enjoys a solid reputation for innovative gastronomy, outstanding galleries and museums, as well as an exciting calendar of sports and cultural events throughout the year. A city of contrasts, where history meets the future, Montréal showcases its European ancestry in a new world setting; towering glass and steel skyscrapers stand beside neo-gothic cathedrals, and the two official languages, French and English, are used interchangeably by its diverse population. Home to many international festivals, Montréal is also proud of its gorgeous parks both in and around the metropolitan center. Eleven million tourists visit every year, and almost 150,000 students are enrolled in its four universities. Whether strolling along the cobblestone streets of Old Montréal, wandering through the network of boutiques, businesses and services, of the underground city, cruising on the mighty St. Lawrence River or cycling in picturesque Mont-Royal Park, visitors are sure to enjoy the joie de vivre for which this city is famous. THE VENUE : THE PALAIS DES CONGRÈS DE MONTRÉAL The World Conference on Marine Biodiversity will be held in Montréal s state-of-the-art convention center, the Palais des congrès de Montréal. Strategically located in downtown Montréal, the Palais des congrès connects the business center of the city with the Quartier international, the Quartier des spectacles, Chinatown, and Old Montréal. With facilities that are attractive, flexible, multi-functional, and above all, user friendly, the Palais is fully equipped to meet the needs of international conventions and exhibits. The commercial exhibition segment of the Congress will be integrated with scientific poster sessions and catering areas. Exhibits will be open for four days. The venue is located at the vicinity of the Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity. To find out more about the Congress location, please visit www.congresmtl.com. PROMOTIONAL EFFORTS Over 1000 delegates from more than 75 countries! List of promotional material published by the WCMB 2018 and distributed to the marine biodiversity community & its partner organizations with an outreach over their members & supporters. First announcement, outreach digital mailer Support & Exhibition Prospectus digital mailer Provisional Program and call for abstracts digital copies Second announcement digital mailer Mobile App: over 1000 downloads Final program: available for download on WCMB2018 web site 10 WMBC E-newsletter
Supporting the 4 th WCMB would provide your organization with an opportunity to reinforcing existing partnerships and establishing new ones, and to demonstrate & showcase your important role in ocean biodiversity. Companies wishing to participate as supporters of the 4 th World Conference on Marine Biodiversity should contact Cindy Grant to discuss individual needs and requirements. Tailor-made support opportunities can be offered. recognition Opportunity to 3 minutes of mic time or video during one of the plenary sessions Advertising space in the final program (one page prime space) opportunities Opening Ceremony 3 minutes of mic time or video during Opening Ceremony Mobile App Partner s logo + hyperlink on mobile app splash page Ocean 20 000$ in all electronic newsletters rotating slides in plenary sessions Lanyard Supporter s name/logo, along with the conference logo, will be displayed on the lanyards, to be distributed to over 1 200 participants. USB key Supporter s logo on the USB key to be distributed to over 1 200 participants. 3 full registration 10% discount on exhibit space Advertising space in the final program (one page) Keynote Possibility to introduce a keynote speaker (3 available) Ecosystem 10 000$ in all electronic newsletters on the plenary room screen 2 full registration 10% discount on exhibit space Wireless internet network (WIFI) Logo within the program where this service is mentioned; password to access the wireless internet network created with the partner; logo + hyperlink on homepage of the wireless internet network Networking Lounge in Exhibit Hall Networking lounge named with the partner + logo on the signage in the poster area & in the charging station area
SUPPORT OPPORTUNITIES Community 5 000$ Species 2 500$ Gene 1 000$ recognition Advertising space in the final program (1/2 page) in all electronic newsletters on the plenary room screen 10% discount on exhibit space on the plenary room screen on the plenary room screen opportunities Banquet Verbal acknowledgement Closing Ceremony Verbal acknowledgement Student Awards Announcement in special section in Final Program announcing the awards and the recipients. Also recognized in a newsletter announcement prior to the Conference and on a PowerPoint slide at the beginning of the winner s talk. Poster sessions Supporter s logo on the signage in the poster area Water bottles Supporter will provide a reusable water bottle. Supporter s logo must be accompanied by the Congress logo on each bottle. Giveaways to be pre-approved by organizing committee. Coffee sessions per day Supporter s logo on the signage in the coffee break area (3 available) Conference track Conference session named with the partner (10 available) Student supporter transport, accommodation, registration fees (10 available) Speaker ready room Signage at the door, logo on splash screen Banner add on mobile app Push messaging on mobile app (1 message) reserved for sponsors and exhibitors (4 available)
EXHIBITION Early bird (until September 1st 2017): 1800$ + taxes Regular (from September 2nd 2017): 2500$ + taxes The standard space measures 10 ft x 10 ft (9 sq m). Spaces are sold at this minimum. Price includes: (1) 6 feet s table, two chairs, pipe and drape and a waste basket (2) exhibitor badges with access to coffee breaks, Welcome Reception, and activities on the Exhibition Floor (1) full conference registration 50-word company description in the Final Program Exhibitor listing on the WCMB website + hyperlink Exhibitor listing in the WCMB Mobile App Additional exhibitor badges Exhibitor only badges are available for CAD $150 per badge. Access to coffee breaks, Welcome Reception, and activities on the Exhibition Floor. Official Service contractor An exhibitor service contractor will be available to exhibitors who require services such as furniture, decorative signs, booth rental & design as well as labor for their exhibit space. PRELIMINARY EXHIBIT SCHEDULE (Further details to come in the Exhibitor Manual) Exhibitor Set-up Exhibition Hours Saturday, May 12 2018 16:00 21:00 Sunday, May 13 2018 12:00 19:00 Monday, May 14 2018 10:00 19:00 Exhibit Tear down Tuesday, May 15 2018 10:00 19:00 Wednesday, May 16 2018 16:00 20:00 Wednesday, May 16 2018 10:00 15:30
TERMS AND CONDITIONS FOR SUPPORTERS & EXHIBITORS TERMS OF PAYMENT Full payment must be received within 45 days of receipt of the invoice. The payments must be made by cheque, in Canadian dollars payable to the Consortium de Biodiversité Marine, and sent to: Consortium de Biodiversité Marine WCMB2018 1045 avenue de la Médecine, local 3041 Québec (QC), G1V 0A6, Canada CANCELLATION POLICY All cancellations must be made in writing to the address above. If the cancellation is accepted, the WCMB shall retain the following percentages, based on the timeline below. Between May, 2017 November 13, 2017: November 14, 2017 up to WCMB 2018: 25% of contract value retained by WCMB 100% of contract value retained by WCMB CONTACT INFORMATION Support inquiries, please contact: Philippe Archambault Philippe.Archambault@bio.ulaval.ca Cindy Grant Cindy.Grant@bio.ulaval.ca Exhibition sales, please contact: WCMB Secretariat JPdL International 1555 Peel Street, suite 500 Montréal (Qc) H3A 3L8, Canada Tel.: +1-514-287-9898 ext. 334 Fax: +1-514-287-1248 Email: wcmb2018secretariat@jpdl.com www.wcmb2018.org