Deep diving into reef protection and restoration

Scale

A symposium of this scale was a logistical challenge made possible by working closely with trusted suppliers - in particular the team at New Zealand International Convention Centre (NZICC). CI managed every aspect of the event, including processing 2,800 abstracts and more than 300 Visa support letters. Onsite, attendees viewed 550 posters and attended 1,480 oral presentations within 14 concurrent streams making it one of the most substantive scientific programs in the Society's history.

The programme featured world-leading plenary speakers, hundreds of technical sessions, poster presentations, workshops and networking events, creating opportunities for meaningful collaboration across disciplines and regions.

Showcasing sustainability

Sustainability was threaded through every part of the Symposium to ensure the values and aspirations of the reef community were respected. Waste minimisation, water bottle refill stations, reusable coffee cups and digital materials were utilised. Food and beverage experiences formed an important part of the attendee journey with NZICC showcasing locally sourced produce, helping tell the story of Aotearoa through cuisine. By featuring regional ingredients and products, the venue transformed conference catering into an authentic destination experience while generating conversation around New Zealand's food and sustainability credentials.

Collaboration and conversation

With coral reefs facing increasing pressures from climate change, pollution and habitat degradation, the Symposium provided an important platform for sharing research and advancing conservation initiatives worldwide. By bringing together experts from a wide range of disciplines, the Symposium championed innovative approaches that will help protect and restore coral reef ecosystems for future generations.

We are immensely proud of the collaborative spirit and hard work of so many people who worked on the International Coral Reef Symposium. More than four years in the planning, this event's impact both economically and environmentally is impressive and the connections made invaluable.

Feedback

“Conference Innovators went above and beyond in terms of responding to delegate queries, supporting poster printing, coordinating with conference sponsors, organizing travel for our plenary speakers, engaging with volunteers, liaising with NZICC on catering and AV, and ensuring the stage and digital signage looked beautiful for the occasion. And more than that, you are all just incredibly nice and caring people.”

Dr Stacy Deborah Jupiter
Executive Director, Global Marine Program
ICRS 2026 Committee