RELAX and NETWORK at AFS SOCIALS
Welcome to the Twin Cities Social: Let the Networking Begin!
Sunday, August 19th
7:00 PM – 10:00 PM
Crowne Plaza Hotel; Great River Ballroom & Garden Court East
Start the meetings off right by attending the Opening Social. Ample food and beverages combined with plenty of mingling and sitting areas will help you catch up with old friends, make new ones, and begin a productive week of networking as you enjoy breathtaking views of the upper Mississippi. Let your mind escape from your “job” and allow yourself this short week where we can spend entire days focused on the fishes and conservation and restoration issues that brought us into the fisheries field.
Trade Show and Poster Social
Monday, August 20th,
6:00 PM – 8:30 PM
River Centre, Exhibition Hall
As always, you do not want to miss the Trade Show and Poster Social. Arrive early so that you have enough time to talk with the authors as you explore the 175 posters that represent outstanding scientific research on a plethora of topics. We have again lined up a most impressive list of national/professional exhibitors to help further your scientific objectives, and we are also quite proud to have a variety of local/regional artisans – bring your money since you’ll want some of their beautiful fish-related works of art! As with previous years, beverages and light food will be provided both to help you maintain your energy level as well as help you further your networking connections. The annual live auction will begin during the Trade Show and Poster Social and end Wednesday night during the Grand Social.
Nicollet Island Grand Social
At Taste of Minnesota: The Famous and Infamous
Wednesday, August 22nd
5:30 PM – 11:00 PM
Nicollet Island Pavilion, Minneapolis
(Buses start loading at 5pm at the River Centre Kellogg Blvd Entrance)
Nicollet Island, the largest island on the Mississippi River, is a bucolic wooded wonderland hidden in the heart of Minneapolis. On the south end of the island sits the historic Nicollet Island Pavilion where attendees will enjoy spectacular views of downtown Minneapolis and the Stone Arch Bridge while overlooking the upper St. Anthony Falls and listening to the sophisticated music of Ira Adelman’s “Optimum Trajectory Jazz Quintet.” And since you are in the Land of Ten Thousand Lakes you will be treated to a truly special Minnesota feast of walleye and lake herring (the “famous”), complimented with a “Beer Extravaganza” featuring a dozen of our outstanding Midwestern microbreweries (also famous!). With the increasing number of introduced species established in our waters, we have partnered with Twin Cities’ award-winning Chef Paul Lynch to give you an opportunity to see just how tasty the most recent scourge of the Mississippi River – the jumping (and infamous) silver carp – can be. So, come enjoy an island evening where you can learn about the unique geologic features and how this scenic stretch of river has been changed over time, discover why we northern folks love walleye fishing, and contemplate how best to confront yet another exotic species (while being pleasantly surprised at just how “good” these Asian carp really are). And bring your money because the annual live auction (with the proceeds funding future student travel) will be held after dinner! Segway Personal Transports will be available for short cruises around the island. Buses will begin loading guests at 5pm outside of the Crowne Plaza Hotel for the short ride over to St. Paul’s twin.
Good-Bye Twin Cities, Hello Little Rock Social
Thursday, August 23rd
6:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Padelford River Boats, Harriet Island
As our capstone to Twin Cities 2012, plan to stay the final evening and step back in time as we cruise along the Mississippi River in true riverboat fashion. A short and rather scenic 10 minute walk across the Wabasha Bridge (located directly outside of the hotel) will bring you to Harriet Island, where you will set out along a 2-hour cruise through the wooded banks of the Mississippi River Gorge (the only true gorge on the Mississippi River). Relax with old friends, converse with new friends, or finalize those new collaborative studies that you discussed at the previous night’s social. Complimentary heavy appetizers will be provided. This evening will be the ideal setting for us to build momentum towards next year’s AFS meeting, which will be located just a few days’ journey downstream in another river town, Little Rock, Arkansas, located along the foothills of the Ouachita Mountains. Click here for an Area Map