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IMCC4 Special Events

The organizers of the 4th International Marine Conservation Congress—held in St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada (YYT)—have planned a full schedule of special events for socializing, learning, networking, and fun. We want to provide time for you to get to know your fellow IMCC4 delegates in a less formal setting, as relationships built at IMCCs have a history of impacting research, careers, collaborations, and friendships. A variety of special events will take place throughout IMCC4 and OceansOnline, from Sunday, 31 July, to Thursday, 4 August 2016. Some events require pre-registration and/or a registration fee. Special event descriptions can be found below.

If you are a delegate with a disability and would like to attend a special event that indicates walking to the venue is required, please contact IMCC4 Chair Samantha Oester and IMCC4 Diversity Chair Luli Martinez. We would be more than happy to accommodate your transport to the event.

On This Page:

Opening Reception at The Rooms

  • Time: Saturday, 30 July @ 5:30-7:30pm
  • Location: The Rooms, 9 Bonaventure Avenue, St. John's
  • Ticket price: FREE for Delegates
  • Guest Ticket Price (USD): $35 until 7/1, $50 onsite
  • Pre-registration is required

Directly following the Opening Plenary Session on 30 July, the opening reception will take place at The Rooms, Newfoundland and Labrador archives, art gallery, and museum. Delegates will be greeted to the reception by Newfoundland dogs and can explore the open exhibits throughout The Rooms, Newfoundland and Labrador's premier cultural space. At the reception, several vegetarian and vegan hors d'oeuvres will be served, along with cheese, fresh fruit, and antipasto platters. Each delegate will receive a free drink ticket, and a cash bar will be avaiable for those wishing to purchase extra drinks. IMCC4 delegates can network, socialize, take in the open exhibits, and take selfies with Newfoundland dogs! 

Delegates will walk from The Delta Conference Centre to The Rooms. A shuttle with limited seating will be available for those who need assistance.

Event Sponsor: WWF-Canada

© 1986 Panda symbol WWF-World Wide Fund For Nature (also known as World Wildlife Fund).
® “WWF” is a WWF Registered Trademark.

Sea Stories: Tales from the Field

  • Organized by: Stephanie Green, Kirsten Grorud-Colvert, Heather Mannix
  • Time: Sunday, 31 July @ 1:15-2:45pm (lunch break)
  • Location: LSPU Hall, 3 Victoria Street, St. John's
  • Ticket price: FREE and Open to the Public
  • Pre-registration is not available

Every scientist has a story to tell. Whether it’s a day of adventure in the field or a shining moment of discovery, story can help make your science come alive. Come hear marine conservation scientists tell their stories and learn how elements of storytelling can help you effectively communicate your own research. This special event will feature a blend of oral storytelling and personal accounts from the scientists who participated in a pre-IMCC4 storytelling workshop. This event takes place on the main stage LSPU Hall, St. John's Resource Center for the Arts. This event is open to the public, so the St. John's community can enjoy the performances of the scientist storytellers. Seats will be available on a first-come, first-served basis. Join us to hear inspiring tales of marine conservation science in action!

Delegates who wish to attend Sea Stories will need to walk the short distance from The Delta Conference Centre to LSPU Hall. 

Event Sponsor: Canadian Science Publishing

Poster Reception

  • Time: Sunday, 31 July @ 5:30-7:30pm
  • Location: St. John's Convention Centre Bannerman Ballroom, 101 New Gower Street, St. John's
  • Ticket Price: FREE
  • Pre-registration to attend is not required

The IMCC4 Poster Reception will feature the poster presentations of IMCC4 delegates, as well as local artists and artisans of Newfoundland and Labrador, at the new St. John's Convention Centre. Vegan and vegetarian hors d'oeuvres will be served throughout the reception. Delegates who attend the poster reception can get free drink tickets from poster presenters after listening to their presentations, and a cash bar will be avaiable for those wishing to purchase extra drinks. Dessert trays will be available at the SCB Marine Chapters table, as well as information on forming a Marine Chapter in your local area. On the other side of the ballroom, meet and greet local artists and artisans, check out their work, and purchase art and crafts from those selling on-site. We encourage all delegates to take in posters, speak one-on-one with poster presenters, learn about setting up a Marine Chapter, and enjoy the work of Newfoundland and Labrador artists and artisans at the IMCC4 Poster Reception!

Delegates will need to walk across the street from The Delta Conference Centre to the St. John's Convention Centre for the Poster Reception. 

Brews and Sustainable Seafood

  • Time: Monday, 1 August @ 6:30-1030pm
  • Location: Quidi Vidi Brewery and a Local Upscale Restaurant (announced soon!)
  • Ticket Price Until July 1 (USD): $80 for delegates; $95 for guests
  • Ticket Price Onsite (USD): $90 for delegates; $105 for guests
  • Pre-registration is required

Delegates participating in this event will first be taken to Quidi Vidi Brewery, a Newfoundland-based independent brewing company, for a social hour. Participants can taste different brews at free beer sampling stations and purchase their favorites. You can learn about brewing in St. John's, check out the beer brewing area, socialize with other participants, and purchase gifts in the Quidi Vidi Brewery shop. Participants will then be taken to local upscale pub Merchant Tavern in St. John's with a nationally famous chef, Jeremy Charles, who has a passion for locally caught, sustainable seafood. Participants will enjoy a full tasting menu of sustainable seafood and vegetarian items. Each course will be introduced by the chef with a brief story of the seafood's source and history. Delegates can socialize, discuss seafood sustinability, and talk with the restaurant staff. At the restuarant, drinks will be available for purchase. Partake in a night of beer, fine dining, and fun!

Delegates who purchase tickets for this event will be picked up in front of the Delta Conference Centre and shuttled to each location. At the end of the event, the shuttles will make a stop at the Delta and the dorms to drop off participants.

George Street Festival Night

  • Time: Monday, 1 August @ 6pm-Late Night
  • Location: Throughout Downtown St. John's
  • Ticket Price: Free for IMCC4 delegates
  • Conference registration is required to receive your ticket (one-day conference registration does not qualify)

All delegates will receive a one-day ticket to the George Street Fesitval in their IMCC4 name badge! The annual George Street Festival has grown to become an iconic event in the St. John’s calendar – a must-attend attraction for tourists and residents alike. Over 40,000 people party on the “biggest little street in North America” for six straight days leading into the annual Regatta Day civic holiday. IMCC4 delegates will get the "night off" on Monday to enjoy the George Street Festival, which takes place throughout downtown St. John's. The George Street Festival features internationally famous live bands on multiple stages, as well as local favorites. The George Street Festival also features free cover to participating bars and pubs, drink specials, and more.

Delegates who wish to attend the George Street Festival will need to turn in their special IMCC4 George Street Festival ticket to gain admission. Tickets for guests will need to be purchased directly from the George Street Festival website. Delegates can walk the short distance from the Delta Conference Centre to the George Street Festival. IMCC4 shuttles will not be running to the dorms after this event.

Marine Movie: Great Bear Sea—First Nations & British Columbia Partner on Marine Plans 

  • Time: Tuesday, 2 August @ 6-8:30pm
  • Location: Rocket Bakery, 272 Water Street, St. John's
  • Ticket Price: FREE
  • Pre-registration is not available for this event

The Great Bear Sea is a wild expanse of ocean where bears, wolves, whales and humans thrive in rich coastal ecosystems. The Great Bear Sea is also a place where worlds collide—a place full of historic conflicts and looming battles over ocean resources. Now, 18 First Nations and the Province of British Columbia have crafted marine plans to ensure a healthy ocean, economy, and communities on BC's coast. Enjoy delicious appetizers including sustainable seafood, vegan, and gluten-free delights, desserts, drinks, coffee, and cash bar. Watch Green Fire’s new film, “The Great Bear Sea,” an inspiring and visionary story of the efforts to protect and sustainably manage some of the most biodiverse lands and waters on Earth.  Told by First Nations, marine stakeholders, and the BC government, you’ll meet the people and communities who are working to put the marine plans into action. 

Q+A to follow the film with First Nations leaders Russ Jones, Hereditary Chief, Haida Nation & Project Manager of the Haida Oceans Technical Team and Dallas Smith, President, Nanwakolas Council, plus Karen Topelko, Senior Marine Planner, BC Government, and filmmaker, Karen Anspacher-Meyer.

Refreshments, including appetizers and beverages, will be served. Sandwiches, drinks, snacks, and other items from the bakery will also be available for purchase in the dining area. If you hope to purchase dinner, we suggest getting to the bakery early, before the event; sales may close before the IMCC4 Marine Movie event is over. Seating will be available on a first-come, first-served basis.

  • 6pm Appetizers & drinks
  • 6:30 Film
  • 7:30 Q+A
  • 8:00 dessert/cash bar social

Delegates will need to walk the short distance between the Delta Conference Centre and Rocket Bakery.

Event Sponsor: Green Fire Productions

IMCC4 Final Party featuring Solve for X

  • Time: Wednesday, 3 August @ 8pm-Late Night
  • Location: Delta Conference Centre Ballroom
  • Ticket Prices Until 7/1 (USD): $25 for Delegates; $45 for Guests
  • Ticket Prices Onsite (USD): $45 for Delegates; $55 for Guests
  • Pre-registration is required

For the IMCC4 Final Party, the Delta Conference Centre ballroom will be split in two—the entertainment and party room and a room for quiet socializing. The entertainment and party room will feature the Solve for X science variety show—comedy and performance inspired by science. Solve for X shows feature musical acts, dance, storytelling, puppetry, and comedy that use science as their prompt. These performances aim to break down the barrier between science and the arts. There is an opportunity for select delegates to perform in the show (details below). After Solve for X, music will start around 10:30pm. Throughout the evening, room two will be a quiet space provided for chatting and catching up. (Though this room may get louder when the music starts in room one.)

Many vegetarian and vegan hors d'oeuvres and platters will be available throughout the event, though we reccommend getting food early. There will be time to get a plate before the entertainment begins. 

Select delegates interested in participating in Solve for X will have the opportunity to workshop a performance with the Solve for X team prior to the closing party. If you're interested in participating on stage, please fill out the IMCC4 delegate Solve for X performance form.

OceansOnline Social at Yellow Belly Brewery

  • Time: Thursday, 4 August @ 8-10pm
  • Location: Yellow Belly Brewery, 288 Water St, St. John's
  • Ticket Price: FREE with OceansOnline registration
  • Pre-registration is not required for OceansOnline delegates

After a full day of OceansOnline facilitated discussions, presentations, and workshops, a social event for OceansOnline registrants will take place at Yellow Belly Brewery and Public House, the province's only gastropub. Originally constructed in 1725 and one of the oldest structures in North America, the Yellow Belly Brewery building is the place where the 'Great Fire of 1892' was finally extinguished. The gastropub boasts multiple fireplaces, original brickwork, wide plank flooring, and an open concept kitchen and brewhouse. Many vegetarian and vegan hors d'oeuvres and platters will be served during the event, and delegates can sample beers brewed at Yellow Belly. The social will also feature music and Team Ocean Family Feud—a team Family Feud-style relay game. 

OceansOnline delegates will need to walk the short distance from the Delta Conference Centre to Yellow Belly Brewery.