First-Time Attendees
Thank you for choosing to attend the Joint Statistical Meetings in Washington, DC. We are so pleased you will be joining us!
What Can I Expect During My First JSM Experience?
- You will have access to new and innovative sessions, social events, and career opportunities.
- You will receive information about the latest statistical software in the EXPO, where you can also win prizes.
- You will have the opportunity to meet colleagues in your field and learn about other fields.
- Most of all, you will have the chance to have fun while building relationships and networking with other statisticians from around the world.
Interested in an overview of the conference? Download the JSM 2022 schedule-at-a-glance. Complete program information for 2022 will be available in early April.
Frequently Asked Questions
Invited sessions, including plenary sessions and named lectures, are pre-organized sessions with speakers who have been invited or are expected to give talks based on their position in the organization (e.g., the President’s Invited Address). Plenary sessions are given at a time during which they do not compete with other sessions. Awards are given at some of these events, as well.
Topic-contributed sessions are planned about eight months in advance of JSM. These are typically based on a single topic and organized by one or two people.
If you submitted an abstract to the JSM planning committee, you will most likely be in a contributed session. These are papers that have been grouped together based on a theme.
TIP: The type of session will not necessarily reflect its quality. In the past, promising talks have fallen short due to an apparent lack of preparation, while some contributed session presentations were excellent, as it was obvious they were rehearsed. Go to sessions you think will be interesting; do not limit yourself to only “renowned” speakers.
The ASA Store is usually in the EXPO. ASA merchandise (e.g., shirts, jackets, coffee mugs) can be purchased there. Also, shirts from previous JSMs can be purchased there at a discount.
In the years before portable devices with email and internet access became ubiquitous, JSM began offering the Cyber Center. There usually is not a long wait to access the internet or send a quick email at these computer kiosks. If your cell phone battery is low and you need to make a reservation, head there!