Abstracts are not currently being accepted for ATCEM, but see below for information about the event’s audience, purpose, and session format in the case that you’re considering presenting at ATCEM 2025.
ATCEM Audience & Purpose
ATCEM brings together hundreds of professionals from Tribes, state and federal agencies, industry, nonprofits, and academia to discuss solutions for the environmental challenges impacting our tribal communities. The conference provides a setting for information-sharing, partner-building, and plan development, all with the ultimate goal of equipping Alaskans with the resources they need to better address environmental concerns. The audience ranges in expertise levels and some participants are students or brand new to environmental/public health work. Not everyone will be an expert, know all the acronyms, or speak English as their first language. We ask that presenters and trainers be mindful of this when preparing their materials for ATCEM.
Breakout Sessions
Breakout sessions take place days 1-3 of the conference. They are an hour long and typically allow time for a moderator to welcome the audience and introduce speakers, as well as time for Q&A at the end. This means there will be about 40 minutes to fill with presentations, which could be one long presentation or two shorter presentations of 15-20 minutes. Another option could be a panel discussion, which will still begin with a moderator welcoming the audience and introducing speakers, but from there, the format is more free-flowing as far as discussion between presenters and the audience is concerned. If you have an idea for a different format that will still fit within a 1-hour time frame, we’d love to hear it!
Trainings & Longer Sessions
The last day of ATCEM is reserved for half- (3-4 hours) and full-day (5-8 hours) trainings. The format for trainings is more open compared to breakout sessions, but should still start with an introduction of the trainer(s) and allow time for audience questions. A moderator isn’t necessary, but one can be provided if trainers would like the additional support/assistance. What is also permitted on the last day is longer sessions that don’t fit within the standard one-hour breakout session time. Longer sessions are even more open-formatted and can allow for creative and different session ideas. Examples include showcases, traditional food tastings with presentations to educate on the ingredients, roundtable discussions, field trips, etc.