Closing out 2016 with Inspiration and Collaboration at AGU’s 49th Annual Fall Meeting

By Denis-Didier Rousseau, Fall Meeting Program Chair

What a whirlwind week of professional development, exceptional scientific research presentations, and skill-building workshops we experienced at AGU’s 49^th Annual Fall Meeting. With more than 25,000 attendees representing 96 countries converging on San Francisco, and more than 5,300 views On Demand, this year’s Fall Meeting provided the perfect landing place for scientists to gather to collaborate and inspire others by presenting their research, share ideas with colleagues from across the globe, make new connections, and hone career skills.

Panelists from the 2016 Fall Meeting session, “The Path Forward from Paris, One Year Later”

Our keynote speakers and panels were spectacular and left attendees feeling inspired and stimulated. Keynotes from Secretary Sally Jewell, Governor Jerry Brown, H.S.H. Prince Albert II, and our panelists, addressed themes ranging from COP21 and addressing global climate change, to the current political climate in the U.S. and closed out seamlessly with Marcia McNutt’s talk about applying the convergence concept in the geosciences to create solutions to global challenges.

At the Honors Ceremony on Wednesday, 14 December, we recognized 91 individuals representing the many diverse fields across Earth and space science for their exceptional work and contributions.

I was also pleased to see valuable networking and research discussions taking place in every corner of Moscone, from the coffee and AGU Brew lines during breaks to our new discussion Pods in the registration area.  The scientific sessions and varied formats at this year’s Fall Meeting, were excellent and well-received, thanks in large part to the session conveners, our Section and Focus Group leaders, as well as the Fall Meeting Program Committee. Did you have a favorite session or learn something invaluable? Please let me know in the comments.

I encourage you to go back and relive your Fall Meeting experience by visiting our On Demand site. There, you can catch up on any sessions you may have missed or hear many lectures again.

I hope you enjoyed your time in San Francisco. Once more, I’d like to offer my thanks to the Fall Meeting Program Committee, AGU staff and leadership for their support. Please share your feedback (the good and the bad) in the comments so we can continue to improve your meeting experience. I look forward to meeting you again in New Orleans in 2017!