37th Annual Conference
From Lab to Field: Biotech in Industrial Crops
The AAIC Executive Board is pleased to announce that the 37th Annual Conference of the Association for the Advancement of Industrial Crops (AAIC) will be held August 30 – September 2, 2026, in Berkeley, California, USA, at the DoubleTree by Hilton Berkeley Marina (200 Marina Blvd, Berkeley, CA 94710). This year’s meeting will be held in person only.
Abstract Submission Guidelines
- A concise one-page abstract is required.
- Please use the official abstract template for formatting.
- Submit abstracts in Word format via email to Dr. Marisol Berti (marisol.berti@ndsu.edu).
- Oral presentation deadline: April 30, 2026.
- Only one abstract per person will be considered for oral presentation.
Poster Guidelines
- Poster dimensions must be 36 inches (height) × 44 inches (width) (91.5 cm × 112 cm).
- Download the official poster template here: Download Poster Template.
- Submit poster abstracts via email to Dr. Marisol Berti (marisol.berti@ndsu.edu).
- Poster presentation deadline: May 15, 2026.
Registration & Fees
Includes Sunday evening reception, select conference lunches as outlined in the program, Tuesday afternoon excursion, Wednesday Awards Dinner, and all coffee breaks.
Early Registration
- AAIC Member: $700
- Non-Member: $800
- Student: $250
- Spouse/Guest*: $250
- One-Day Registration: $250
- Sunday Muir Woods Day Trip** (optional): $90
Regular Registration
- AAIC Member: $800
- Non-member: $900
- Student: $250
- Spouse/Guest*: $250
- One-Day Registration: $250
*Spouse/Guest fee includes Tuesday afternoon excursion and Wednesday Awards Dinner.
**Muir Woods Day Trip includes round-trip transportation, park entrance fee, and boxed lunch. Limited availability (70 participants). The deadline to signup for the tour is May 31st.
Cancellation policy
-
Until July 1st, 2026: 100% Refund for Registration (minus C-Vent processing fee)
July 2nd - August 1st, 2026: 50% Refund for Registration (minus C-Vent processing fee)
After August 1st, 2026 or No-Show: No Refunds Possible
All approved refunds will be processed after the event.
Note*: Any refunds for credit card payments may only be credited back to the original credit card. Refunds cannot be refunded to a different credit card or bank account. The C-Vent processing fees also cannot be refunded. These policies are determined by the payment processor and are beyond the control of AAIC.
Travel and Accommodations
All conference activities and accommodations will take place at the DoubleTree by Hilton Berkeley Marina, located at 200 Marina Blvd, Berkeley, California 94710, USA.
The hotel is conveniently located near two major airports:
- Oakland International Airport (OAK) – approximately 15 miles (about 25 minutes by car)
- San Francisco International Airport (SFO) – approximately 25 miles (35–45 minutes by car)
Transportation options include rental car, Uber/Lyft, taxi, airport shuttle, and public transit (BART + rideshare).
Situated along the San Francisco Bay, the DoubleTree Berkeley Marina offers waterfront views, walking paths, and convenient access to downtown Berkeley and San Francisco, providing a perfect balance of relaxation and accessibility.
If you choose to stay at another hotel, please note that all conference sessions, meals, and events will take place at the DoubleTree Berkeley Marina. Staying at the conference hotel is strongly encouraged for convenience and networking opportunities.
Supplemental Day Trip – Sunday (additional cost)
On Sunday, August 30, 2026, a daytime excursion will take participants from the DoubleTree Berkeley Marina to
Muir Woods National Monument via charter bus.
Participants will depart the hotel in the morning (exact departure time to be confirmed) and spend several hours exploring the majestic coastal redwood forest. Attendees will have time to walk the scenic trails, visit the park facilities, and enjoy the natural beauty of one of California’s most iconic landscapes.
The total cost of this tour is $90 per person, which includes:
- Round-trip transportation from and back to the hotel
- Park entrance fee
- Bus parking fee
- Box lunch (sandwich, salad, cookie)
Participation is limited to 70 attendees.
The deadline to register for the Muir Woods tour is May 31, 2026.
Conference Excursion – Tuesday (included in AAIC Conference Registration)
On Tuesday, September 1, 2026, all full conference registrants will be invited to participate in a group excursion in the San Francisco Bay Area.
This excursion is currently being finalized. Additional details, schedule information, and logistical arrangements will be shared soon.