Call for Expressions of Interest to Host the International Conference on Diet and Activity Methods (ICDAM) 2027
Deadline: January 31, 2025
The International Society for Diet and Activity Methods (ISDAM) is pleased to welcome expressions of interest to host the International Conference on Diet and Activity Methods (ICDAM) 2027. ICDAM is the only conference dedicated to advancing diet and physical activity assessment.
The vision of ISDAM is the wide availability and use of robust methods for the assessment of diet and physical activity across contexts, settings, and populations. In conjunction with a local host, the Society organizes and delivers ICDAM approximately every two years. ICDAM adopts a holistic perspective, providing a venue that fosters learning across disciplines, career stages, and international contexts. ICDAM strives to adhere to guidelines for healthy and sustainable and inclusive and accessible meetings.
Parties interested in hosting ICDAM 2027 are invited to submit an expression of interest by January 31, 2025. Eligible parties include individuals working in diet and/or physical activity assessment research in academia, government, or non-governmental organizations. Expressions of interest that include hosts with affiliations to the private sector in the past five years will not be considered. We particularly welcome expressions of interest from regions where ICDAM has not previously been held (learn about past conferences).
Expressions of interest will be reviewed by the Board, and selected parties will be contacted to complete an assessment to determine the feasibility and appropriateness of the proposed destination and venue. A decision on the ICDAM 2027 host will be made in advance of ICDAM 2025 in April 2025.
About ICDAM
ICDAM is a three-day conference, generally taking place between April and September. Traditionally, pre-conference workshops are organized prior to or after the formal ICDAM program. Conference attendance varies between 200 and 500 participants from over 30 countries.
Roles & Responsibilities
Host Duties
Working in partnership with the Board and the Society’s professional conference organizer, Podium Conference Specialists Ltd, the host will identify possible venues for the conference and accommodations for conference delegates. Once the venue is secured, the host will primarily be responsible for the development and planning of the scientific program, including:
- Appointing an International Scientific Committee to work in collaboration with the host and Podium to carry out planning, including determining the conference theme and submission streams; identifying and securing keynote speakers; reviewing conference submissions for satellite meetings, workshops, symposia, and oral and poster presentations; and developing the overall conference program.
- The Committee should include individuals from a range of career stages, research areas, and geographic regions.
- Inclusion of some members of the prior International Scientific Committee, including the Chair, as well as a member of the ISDAM Early Career Network, is anticipated to foster continuity and capacity building
- Participating in regular planning meetings with the International Scientific Committee and Podium.
- Providing suggestions for conference dinner venues and local excursion opportunities.
Materials from ICDAM 2025, including calls for abstracts and evaluation criteria, will be provided to the selected host.
The local host is also anticipated to secure some financial and other support for the conference from potential local/regional sponsors. No sponsors with affiliations to the food, beverage, supplement, and/or pharmaceutical industries are permitted.
Podium Duties
Podium will provide full-service logistical support, allowing the local host to focus primarily on the scientific program and local fundraising. Duties carried out by Podium in collaboration with the host include but are not limited to:
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- Undertaking site and venue visits and contracting suitable venues and accommodation options.
- Managing logistical details, including contracting and organizing conference suppliers (e.g., catering, audio-visual), receiving and supporting the adjudication of participant submissions, managing registration, supporting travel bookings and reimbursement for keynote speakers, and organizing a conference dinner and other social events.
- Working with the host to identify key dates, action items, and responsible parties.
- Developing and maintaining a website to disseminate conference details and information related to accommodation, travel, and local tourism.
- Communicating with potential participants via e-mail blasts, using an existing email list.
- Maintaining records of all conference materials and key decisions.
- Creating and formatting an electronic version of the program, including abstracts, and developing a conference app to provide customized information for attendees, including the conference program and abstracts.
- Managing the on-site delivery of the conference.
Expression of Interest
To express interest in hosting ICDAM 2027, please submit an expression of interest (maximum 3 pages) to ISDAM@PodiumConferences.com by January 31, 2025. The document should provide sufficient information to demonstrate that the proposed host has the capacity and experience to plan a successful conference focused on diet and activity methods for at least 300 persons. The expression of interest should include the following information.
Host
- Description of the proposed host (individual(s) or organization(s)). Developing partnerships across multiple individuals and/or organizations is acceptable, but a lead host should be evident.
- Identification of the proposed conference chair(s), including a short outline of a) their history of participation in and contributions to ISDAM/ICDAM and b) current involvement with diet and activity assessment research.
- Description of critical mass in the region, such as multiple researchers working in the areas of diet and activity assessment and/or established relevant international networks.
- Prior experience organizing conferences and other events.
- Potential conflicts of interest, including affiliations with the food, beverage, supplement, and/or pharmaceutical industries in the past five years.
Venue and city
- Identification of proposed venue(s), accommodating at least 300 attendees. Proposed venues must accommodate one plenary room (300-400 capacity), three to four concurrent breakout rooms (80-100 capacity each), and one poster hall to display up to 100 posters per day. There must also be adequate space for all daily conference meals (coffee breaks and lunches). For expressions of interest prioritized by the ISDAM Board for further consideration, Podium will undertake research on these venues to determine suitability for the conference needs.
- List of potential nearby accommodations, including website URLs. Podium will undertake research on these hotels to determine suitability for the conference needs.
Conference details
- Proposed dates (or approximate time frame), with rationale.
- Preliminary ideas for a conference theme and potential keynote speakers (see past conference themes).
- Plans to ensure a healthy, sustainable, inclusive, and accessible conference.
Finances
- Anticipated and potential financial support from local partners, agencies, and sponsors.
Submit your expression of interest to ISDAM@PodiumConferences.com by January 31, 2025.
Please reach out to ISDAM@PodiumConferences.com with questions, which may include a request to meet with the chair of the International Scientific Committee for ICDAM 2025.