This year’s American Association of State Climatologists (AASC) Annual Meeting will bring together state, regional, and national climate leaders to advance science-based climate services that inform decision-making at every level. The meeting will foster collaboration, strengthen state climate offices and monitoring networks, promote research and effective communication, and expand equitable access to high-quality climate information for all communities.

The meeting will be held June 23-27, 2026, at the University of Alaska Fairbanks. The main meeting space will be in the Wood Center Ballroom, 1731 S Chandalar, Fairbanks, AK 99709.

Registration

Registration is now open! Please register for early bird rates by Friday, May 22. After May 22, the cost for each registration category increases by $50. Your registration fee covers catered UAF meals, shuttle service between the hotel and UAF, room rental and administrative costs.

• In-person registration: $275
• In-person registration, student rate: $150
• Virtual registration: $110
• Virtual registration, student rate: $50

If you are an institutional member and would like a discount code, please reach out to Melissa Griffin, GriffinM@dnr.sc.gov.

Questions about the meeting? Please contact Martin Stuefer, mstuefer@alaska.edu.

Abstract submission

Please read the information below before submitting your abstract. NOTE: There is no cost associated with abstract submission. Abstracts are required for all presentations.

This year's meeting will include two presentation formats:

• Oral presentations
• Poster presentations with a lightning talk

Oral Presentations: These presentations will generally be no more than 15 minutes long, including a short period for Q&A. Presentations should be topic-focused and aligned with the categories listed in this year’s “Primary Category of Presentation” section below. However, based on the content in your abstract and the number of submission in each category, your presentation may be placed in a different category.

Poster Presentations with Lightning Talks: This format is ideal for updates on climate office/center activities, preliminary research findings, analysis of interesting weather events and product demonstrations. Posters will be presented during dedicated poster sessions following the lightning talk sessions. The lightning talks will consist of a strictly-timed 3-minute presentation, which may include one optional PowerPoint slide.

When submitting your abstract, you will be asked to indicate your preferred format for your presentation. While the meeting planning committee will make every effort to accommodate each presenter’s preferred presentation format, this may not always be possible due to scheduling constraints. The committee will review all abstracts and notify presenters of their assigned presentation format.

Poster format guidelines and instructions for submitting a slide for the lightning talk session will be provided to all poster presenters when they receive their notification of abstract acceptance from the organizing committee.

Submit your abstract here. All abstract submissions are now due by COB Friday, May 8, 2026.

Travel Award Opportunities

The American Association of State Climatologists (AASC) will provide up to $10,000 in travel support to assist students and other participants presenting at the AASC Annual Meeting, to be held Tuesday, June 23 through Saturday, June 27, 2026, in Fairbanks, Alaska.

Applicants must submit an oral or poster presentation. As a reminder: Abstracts are due by Friday May 8, 2026, and can be submitted via this form.

Travel awards will be distributed based on need, with priority given to students and early-career participants. Applicants will be asked to indicate requested support for:

• Airfare
• Lodging
• Registration
• Other travel-related expenses 

Individual awards will typically not exceed $2,000 per person, though actual amounts may vary depending on need and available funds.

To apply for a travel award, please complete the application form by Friday, May 8.

For any questions about the travel award opportunity, please contact Jeff Andresen, President of the AASC, at andresen@msu.edu.

Our goal is to support as many qualified participants as possible while reducing financial barriers to attendance.

Draft agenda

• Tuesday, June 23: Welcome and Evening Ice Breaker at the UAF Pub
• Wednesday, June 24: Day 1 of AASC Annual Meeting
• Thursday, June 25: Day 2 of AASC Annual Meeting
• Friday, June 26: Day 3 of AASC Annual Meeting
• Saturday, June 27: AASC Field Excursion to Denali National Park

Zoom registration

Check back soon!

Lodging

The AASC 2026 hotel block is at La Quinta Fairbanks.

Booking instructions:

Guests can contact the hotel directly at 907-328-6300 and let them know they are with the AASC2026 to get the group rate. They will need their credit card to hold their room. The block is from June 21-28 and is $254/night, and the deadline to book within the block is May 21.

The online booking link below can also be used:
La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham Fairbanks Airport | Fairbanks, AK Hotels

Icebreaker event

The Icebreaker event will take place at the UAF Pub at 5 p.m. on Tuesday, June 23.

Parking on the UAF campus

Parking passes for UAF campus lots are obtained at kiosks. Parking is $1.25 per hour and $6 per day. Visit this page for more information on campus parking.

If you paid for parking on the payment page, you will receive your pass(es) via email the week before the meeting.

View the UAF campus map here. The meeting is taking place at the Wood Center. Please park in Lots 4D, 4F and 4F to take the provided shuttle bus to the Wood Center.

Transportation

La Quinta offers a free airport shuttle.

View Fairbanks ground transportation options. Services like Uber and Lyft are unreliable in Fairbanks.

Food options

Catered breakfast, lunch, snacks and beverages are covered as part of your registration fee.

For other meals, there are nearby off-campus dining options, including many on College Road near the University of Alaska Fairbanks.

Breakfast

Little Owl Café, Lulu's Bread and Bagels, Bun on the Run

Dinner

Pad Thai Restaurant, Lemongrass, East Ramp Pizza, Pump House

Other resources

• Google Map of downtown Fairbanks
• Explore Fairbanks — Includes things to know for planning your trip (FAQ, weather, hours of daylight, attractions, etc.)