Entomology 2010 in San Diego, CA

If you missed Entomology 2010 in San Diego, you missed making ESA history!

Watch a video on the Best Things About the ESA Annual Meeting.

An all-time record number of attendees gathered at the Town & Country Resort and Convention Center in San Diego from December 12-15, 2010 for ESA’s 58th Annual Meeting. More than 3,230 participants shared the latest in entomological research, made new friends (and caught up with old ones), saw the latest products and services, and had fun while learning together in a relaxed atmosphere.

2010 President Dave Hogg’s, “Entodiversity: Biological, Geographical, Disciplinary” theme provided for a record number of symposia (82), ten-minute presentations (1,664), and posters (748). These were organized under six Program Symposia, 34 Section Symposia, and 42 Member Symposia—with two late-breaking symposia also included. And for a second year, Virtual Posters were provided from authors located outside North America, and were received from authors representing 20 countries. Search the 2010 scientific program.

Under the guidance of the 2010 Program Committee with Co-chairs Megha Parajulee and Bonnie Pendleton, the four-day meeting was a fun and well-planned event. Sunday’s Opening Plenary Session featured President Hogg’s State of the Society address, followed by the awards presentation for ESA Fellows and award winners, which was then followed by the annual Founder’s Memorial presentation by Dr. Kenneth Raffa on the life and work of Dr. Andrew Delmar Hopkins. The session concluded with presentations by ICE 2012 President Dr. Kim and Entomological Foundation President Bradleigh Vincent.

Sunday evening’s lively Welcome Reception was held in a sold-out Exhibit Hall where participants enjoyed plenty of food and fun, and The Stridulators band rounded out the evening with a variety of songs, including country, rock, and folk tunes.

On Monday, 96 students received awards for the Student Competition for the President’s Prize, which for the first time featured a separate category for undergraduate students. A special lunchtime session featuring insect artist Christopher Marley gave the audience a glimpse of his life, and photos of his travels around the globe collecting insects.

Tuesday’s special lunchtime speaker, historian Dr. James McWilliams, took advantage of the beautiful California weather and gathered a crowd outside to share his expertise on the history of early American pest control and more. The ever-popular Linnaean Games Finals featured the University of Nebraska and the Ohio State University, with Ohio State University taking home the gold!  This event was followed by the Student Awards celebration. And Tuesday evening, somewhere between five and six hundred students played games and danced the night away while enjoying southwestern taste sensations during the fun-filled Student Reception

Throughout the week, participants and guests took advantage of the sunny San Diego weather to take part in ESA-sponsored tours, as well as a variety of mixers and receptions. Click here for photos and videos from the Annual Meeting.

ESA thanks President Hogg, its 2010 Program Committee, volunteers, exhibitors, sponsors, members, and other attendees and participants for making this event so spectacular. Be sure to mark your calendar now for Entomology 2011 taking place November 13-16 in Reno, NV.