SCHEDULE, WORKSHOP & TOUR INFORMATION

schedule/WORKSHOP/Tour Information

• Schedule at a Glance

NAICC First Lady Valerie Poppert has chosen the SAM Ministries as the NAICC Community Service Project for 2024. This year we are collecting items for families in need. This can be anything from a one-pot meal kit, small items that fit in your suitcase, or choose from their wishlist on Amazon. Click HERE for more details on items needed. Please bring your items to the registration desk in San Antonio. Our spouses/guest will take these items to SAM Ministries as well as help them inventory items.

NEW THIS YEAR:

The Researcher Capability Poster Session will be held on Tuesday, January 16, from 5:00 pm – 8:00 p.m. in the Pearl Ballroom on the 3rd Floor of the Marriott. Click here for more information. Sign up to showcase your company on the registration form. The cost for a poster is $35.

New and existing Technical Service Providers can take part in TSP Training on Tuesday, January 16, from 8:00 am – 12:00 noon and continuing on Wednesday, January 17,  from 8:00 am – 12:00 noon on  at the Marriott. See details below and sign up on the registration form. 

CEUs AND WORKSHOPS

Continuing Education Units: Attendees will have the opportunity to gain 25 Consultant Education Units (CEUs) through the CPCC program for the educational portion of the Annual Meeting. CEUs awarded for the Efficacy Workshop are 8; GLP Training are awarded 4; and 4 for the NAICC/GAIAC Workshop.

NAICC will submit the preliminary program to various state and national certification programs and associations for CEU credit review. The Quality Assurance portion of the program will be reviewed for CEUs by the Society of Quality Assurance. CEUs awarded for these programs will be announced in the NAICC News, on the NAICC Web site and at registration.

NAICC Sponsored Workshops: NAICC is proud to offer two workshops this year in addition to our popular GLP training. If attending only a workshop and not the annual meeting, then select ‘Workshop Only’ on the meeting registration form.

• Efficacy Workshop

On Monday, January 15 from 8:00 am – 5:00 pm (registration and continental breakfast begin at 7:30 am), NAICC is hosting our  6th Efficacy Research Workshop focusing on how to conduct good efficacy trials. The workshop will be held between 8:00 am and 4:30 pm, with registration and continental breakfast beginning at 7:30 am. 

The morning session will include lectures from our invited speakers whereas the afternoon session will be an interactive workshop. Invited speakers will share their knowledge about pesticide and agronomic efficacy trial conduct. The afternoon session will tentatively include information on online resources, phone apps, field research equipment ideas, and more.

Attendance certification and CEUs for CPCC-I, CPCC-R, CCA and PCAs will be provided at the end of the workshop.  The cost is $165. The final program is coming soon.

• TSP Training for Seasoned and New Technical Service Providers

TSP Orientation will begin Tuesday, January 16 at 8:00 am and will cover everything you need to know about becoming a TSP. Charlotte Brewster, National TSP Program Manager at USDA-NRCS will lead this workshop and cover the basics of the TSP program including conservation plans under NRCS, the products, and expertise needed. Wednesday will continue with how to complete the TSP application with hands on registration, so bring your laptop.

Current TSPs, whether you have been registered for 1-10 years, will join the group on Wednesday morning (time to be determined) and learn about program changes implemented since 2021, as well as deliverables, and new requirements for implementing Conservation Planning Activity (CPAs), Design and Implementation Activity (DIA), and Conservation Evaluation and Monitoring Activities (CEMAs). The cost for the 8-hour workshop over 2 days is $165. Continental breakfast will begin each morning at 7:30 am. The cost for the 2-hour updated session is $50.

• GLP Training for Researchers and Quality Assurance Professionals

These popular workshops will be held on Tuesday, January 16, 2024, from 8:00 am – 12:00 pm. Registration and continental breakfast begin at 7:00 am. Attendance certification and CEUs for CPCC-I, CPCC-R, CCA, and SQA will be provided at the end of the workshop.  The cost is $125. Three workshops will be offered.

• • BASIC GLP Training: Limited to 100 participants.
    This Basic session is aimed at those with 0-2 years GLP experience. It gives a basic overview of the GLP regulations with emphasis on the responsibilities of QA, Study Directors and Principal Investigators as it relates to your role in a GLP environment. The session is designed to be interactive and will provide you the opportunity to hear how others interpret the regulations and how to best apply them to your job function.
  • Refresher GLP Training: Limited to 64 participants.
    This course will refresh and challenge your GLP knowledge and has something for everyone. You will be encouraged to think outside the box when interpreting the GLPs. Material will cover topics relevant to field, lab, and sponsor GLP personnel, utilizing real-life scenarios and group discussion. We will also focus on a particular GLP area/topic for deeper understanding.  GLP experts/consultants will be present to moderate and answer questions.
  • Practical Field Workshop: Application Techniques:  Limited to 30 participants.
    This hands-on workshop will focus on application techniques, equipment, data documentation, and GLP compliance for the field researcher and field QA.  This session is designed to provide practical information on basic application principles, GLP compliance issues, industry best practices, and efficiency in capturing raw data for field research personnel and QA professionals conducting/auditing GLP studies at application.
• Consultant’s Workshop Sponsored by NAICC and GAIAC

Understanding and Realizing the Benefits of Biostimulants

The Global Alliance of Independent Ag Consultants (GAIAC) and NAICC will host their sixth joint consultant’s workshop on Tuesday, January 16, 2024, from 1:00 pm – 5:00 pm.

 In a follow-up to the 2023 Workshop on biological based biostimulants,  agricultural consultants/advisors, industry representatives, academic, independent researchers, and regulatory officials review the benefits attributed to biostimulants and the factors influencing realization of those value-added factors in crop production systems.  Presentations to help better understand use of the various categories of biostimulants to enhance production or mitigate the effect of stress factors in specific soils, crops, or climatic conditions.  Updates on the status or biostimulant certification programs and regulatory oversight will be presented.

 Attendance certification and CEUs for CPCC-I, CPCC-R, CCA and PCAs will be provided at the end of the workshop.  The cost is $125.

TOURS (register for these when you register for the meeting)

• Spouse and Guest Tour, $140

Giving Back
Thursday, January 18, 9:30 am – 4:00 pm

Each year, the NAICC spouses and guests give back to the convention city community by donating needed items to charity. This year we have the wonderful opportunity to not only collect items but work hands-on with the charity. We will spend two hours cataloging and sorting inventory for SAM Ministries. Then it’s off to lunch at the top of the Tower of Americas to enjoy good food and terrific views of San Antonio. After lunch, we will travel to La Villita which was San Antonio’s first neighborhood. Originally a settlement of primitive huts for the Spanish soldiers, now this 27-building complex, listed on the National Register of Historic Places, is home to historical boutiques, galleries, and restaurants featuring local artisans. Buses will return to the Marriott Rivercenter by 4:00 pm.

 Group Tour, $152

San Antonio Sampling Tour
Saturday, January 20, 9:00 am – 3:30 pm

Discover the heart and soul of San Antonio and immerse yourself in the history, culture, and culinary delights of San Antonio’s rich heritage. Begin this tour at The Alamo. The seasoned tour guide will give us an overview of the story of the Alamo and bring it to life. Then it’s off to Mission San Jose an exquisite Spanish colonial marvel, and explore the elegant King William District’s Victorian-era charm. Our first tasting will be at Lalas Gorditas where you can sample puffy tacos and gorditas from this San Antonio staple that has been creating tex-mex specials since 1983. Next, glide through the city on a Go Rio River barge cruise, uncovering its history with a guided tour of Main Plaza. From there it is on to our next food tasting. Of course, we need a tasting and tour of the Blue Star Brewery to wash down the incredible food we’ve sampled along the way. We will conclude our tour with a short trip to the Buckhorn Saloon where you can enjoy more libations and tour the Texas Ranger Museum. Buses will bring you back to the Marriott Rivercenter by 3:30 pm.

EXHIBIT HALL EXTRAVAGANZA AND SILENT AUCTION

The exciting and educational Outgoing President’s Reception and Exhibit Hall Extravaganza will kick off at 5:30 pm, on Thursday evening, January 18. We’ll join together to pay tribute to NAICC President Clark Poppert as he wraps up his Presidential year. Catch up with peers, meet key industry representatives and learn about new technologies – simply by spending time in the Exhibit Hall. Exhibitors have the opportunity to give away prizes during the evening so be sure to drop off your business card in designated boxes throughout the day and at the beginning of the Extravaganza.

Going on at the same time in the Exhibit Hall is The Foundation’s (FEAE) Silent Auction. Proceeds go toward instrumental educational programs that benefit our industry at large. Be a part this fun event by donating a unique item or by being the winning bid of a one-of-a-kind items from donated from throughout North America and Europe. You are sure to have a great time checking out the intriguing array of items and then protecting your bid to make sure your item of choice goes home with you!