INTEREST CATEGORY: MARKETING RESEARCH
POSTING TYPE: Calls: Conferences

Author: ELMAR Moderator

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Decision Sciences Institute

Last November DSI celebrated its 50th Anniversary and we looked forward to what the next 50 years would bring. Little did we know then just how rapidly our world would change. As a result of the ongoing COVID-19 situation our next 50 years will start with our conference taking place not in San Francisco, but in the virtual world. Ironic given San Francisco’s position at the center of a global technology hub and the conference theme of Decision Sciences in the Age of Connectivity.

Several factors led to the decision to move to a virtual 2020 conference. These include DSI’s commitment to keep our members safe and healthy, being sensitive to the public health situation in San Francisco and statements from California officials regarding large gatherings, the significant budget cuts and restrictions on non-essential travel that many institutions are already facing, and individual concerns about health and safety that are likely to continue in the coming months. However, the current realities present us with an opportunity to innovate and use technology in creative ways to benefit our members both now and into the future.

While there remain many details to finalize, as of today:

The conference will still be held Saturday November 21 – Monday November 23. While there may be additional programming outside these days, the core of any programming will take place on the originally scheduled dates.

The program will continue to include keynotes, special sessions and invited panels, regular paper sessions, and professional development workshops.

The submission deadline is June 15 for full papers, June 30 for abstracts.

The conference registration rate will be $75 for all attendees.

Program Chair Carmela Di Mauro and her team are currently working on developing the conference format. I am excited at the ideas they are exploring and have great confidence in what they will deliver. They will draw on responses provided by almost six hundred DSI members to the recent survey on their interest in a virtual conference and what components would be of particular value. DSI is deeply indebted to Carmela and her team. Little did they know when they took on their roles that they would be the first team to put together a virtual DSI Annual Conference.

In the coming weeks and months, we will continue to update you on plans for the conference. Our commitment is to deliver an innovative, high quality experience that continues the long tradition of vibrant, engaging, and educational DSI annual conferences. Let us use this as an opportunity to look to the future rather than be constrained by our past.

Vijay Kannan, DSI President

https://decisionsciences.org/annual-conferences/national-dsi/