he last three EOS/ESD Symposiums were offered in a hybrid format for presenters and attendees – facilitating virtual connection for those strongly impacted by pandemic-related travel restrictions. In 2022, more than 200 attendees and 36 exhibiting companies traveled to the Peppermill in Reno, NV, USA, and only 50 attendees participated virtually. The shift of attendees attending virtually in 2020 and 2021 to in-person in 2022 demonstrates the value and importance of face-to-face events and activities.

After considering many variables influencing a decision to host face-to-face-only events, the EOS/ESD Symposium will be on-site with no livestream connection in 2023. This decision means the Symposium strategy team can explore new ways to increase the interactivity that attendees truly value – the face-to-face and networking opportunities provided by an in-person event.

These opportunities include enhancing already established interactive sessions, such as workshops and hands-on demonstrations, and adding new initiatives. One focus is revamping the format of workshops with a task team already evaluating innovative solutions, such as interactive polling, a panel of invited speakers, and a new standalone session on the upcoming revision to the EOS/ESD Association, Inc. Technology Roadmap. We are introducing a new interactive session with members of the Association’s standards working group activities and a new exciting electronic format for the Author’s Corner posters. Other exciting ideas include expanding the exhibit hall offerings with introductory tours to meet the exhibitors and demonstrations by exhibitors in their booths.

We appreciate your understanding and trust that EOS/ESD Association, Inc. has carefully considered the many impacts of hosting an in-person-only Symposium in 2023. With your support, EOS/ESD Symposium will continue to be the premier industry event. The 2023 Symposium Strategy and Steering Teams are excited about what’s to come, and we hope you are as well!

We look forward to seeing you in person at the 2023 EOS/ESD Symposium at the Riverside Convention Center in Riverside, CA, USA

ith the focus on Quality over Quantity, the Symposium strategy team heard your schedule concerns and suggestions. In an effort to not dilute the quality of the event and address the lower attendance in Thursday sessions, we have restructured and streamlined the previous 3.5‑day, three-parallel track event schedule. The 2023 EOS/ESD Symposium will be condensed to 3 full days – Monday morning, October 2, through Wednesday evening, October 4. Additionally, the parallel sessions will be reduced to two tracks for the entire duration of the event. We will continue to offer a selection of tutorials and the program manager certification exam before and/or after the Symposium. This redesigned schedule reduces the number of sessions required to fill the program, thus, allowing the team to focus on the quality of the event rather than the quantity.