More to Do

First-Time Attendees
Mentoring
Docents

First-Time Attendees

Thank you for choosing to attend the Joint Statistical Meetings in Portland, Oregon. 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 2024 Schedule-at-a-Glance.

Complete program information for 2024 will be available in early April.

Frequently Asked Questions

I’m here! What do I do first?
Once you are settled into your hotel, stop by the JSM registration area in the convention center. You can pick up your welcome packet, which includes the JSM Quick Guide and a badge holder (and badge if you left yours at home). The JSM badge enables you to enter the conference center, mixers, and EXPO, so make sure you always keep it with you. You also get a nice bag to carry things around in. First-time attendees and docents can request a ribbon to attach to their badge that specifies these distinctions. If you are a chapter or section officer, pick up a ribbon for that, too!
What is the difference between the JSM session types?
Introductory overview lectures and late-breaking sessions are presented concurrently with other sessions. More than likely, renowned statisticians will give these.

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 (e.g., Tuesday night, invited addresses).

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 sessions with abstracts grouped together based on a theme for paper, poster, or speed presentations.

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.
What are roundtable discussions?
These are small group talks that occur in conjunction with breakfast and lunch, giving you the opportunity to network while discussing a topic of interest. Roundtables are ticketed events in which space is limited, so it is best to register for them prior to JSM. They also require paying a fee beyond the registration fee.
What is the Professional Development (PD) program?
PD is the process of improving and broadening the knowledge, skill, and personal qualities needed to be successful in the practice of statistics. To meet your professional development needs, the ASA offers Continuing Education and Personal Skills Development courses and workshops at JSM. These are ticketed events in which space is limited, so it is best to register for them prior to JSM. They also require paying a fee beyond the registration fee.
What are the EXPO and ASA Store?
Whatever you do, do not miss walking through the EXPO, where many of the JSM sponsors have booths. While you can pick up novelties, there are also many academic, employer (i.e., recruiter), and publisher booths.

The ASA Store is in the EXPO. ASA merchandise (e.g., shirts, jackets, coffee mugs) can be purchased there. Also, shirts from previous JSMs can be found there at a discount.
What is the Career Service?
This is a full-service recruiting facility, usually near the EXPO, in which employers look for and meet with job seekers. There is an additional fee to register for the Career Service.
There are many business meetings and mixers. Am I welcome to attend those?
If the program does not say “closed” or “ticketed event,” consider yourself welcome! Even if you are not a current member of a section, chapter, committee, or interest group, you may go to their mixer to find out what they are about.
I did not buy tickets in advance, but several Professional Development courses and roundtables look interesting. Can I attend those?
Maybe. The best way to guarantee you can go to these is to register beforehand. However, there may be available tickets to some events onsite. It never hurts to ask! Stop by the Registration Desk for help.
How can I begin networking?
Be adventurous! Go to sessions on topics you have heard only a little about. Don’t be afraid to reach out to speakers or attendees if you have questions. Many lunches are planned after the 10:30 a.m. session (i.e., not much planning a priori), so if you are talking to someone, ask if they have plans—you never know what connections you will make and how they will serve you in the long run!
Who are these docents, and what can they do for me?
Docents are JSM attendees identified with a special button or ribbon on their badge who will be at the First-Time Attendee Orientation and Reception and answer your questions related to JSM throughout the conference.
I’m a presenter and I just arrived. Is there anything I should do?
Speakers are required to check in at the Speaker Ready Room or via one of the Speaker Ready Kiosks four hours prior to their presentations to upload their materials or confirm their materials were uploaded correctly. Session chairs also should check in to confirm all speakers have uploaded their materials.

Mentoring

The JSM Mentoring Program matches senior statisticians and data scientists (mentors) with students and early-career statisticians and data scientists (mentees).

Mentors - Please consider serving in this important role. Your participation will entail arranging a time and place to meet with your mentee at least once during JSM. Many of us were fortunate to have a colleague show interest in us and help us open doors in our career. Please help strengthen our community by doing the same for a student or early-career professional this year.

Mentee - Participation will entail connecting with your mentor to decide on a time and place to meet during JSM. This mentoring program is one way the ASA is promoting the practice and profession of statistics and data science. Receiving mentoring advice from a more senior statistician can help open doors in your career and help you, in turn, promote the practice and profession of statistics and data science.

To be a mentor or mentee, fill out the application form by July 22 at 5 p.m. ET.

Docents

JSM docents (derived from the Latin verb docēre, which means to instruct, teach, or point out) are members who understand how JSM ‘works’ and are willing to share their knowledge with first-timers. JSM docents—identified by an orange button—answer questions about how to choose JSM events to attend, how to network, what to look for in the EXPO, and how to have fun. Docents are also invited to serve as table hosts during the First-Time Attendee Orientation and Reception on Sunday, August 4, from 12:30 p.m. – 1:30 p.m.

Sign up to be a docent.

Key Dates

  • November 15, 2023 - December 7, 2023
    Online submission of topic-contributed session proposals
  • December 1, 2023 - February 1, 2024
    Online submission of abstracts (all except invited papers and panels)
  • January 15, 2024
    Computer Technology Workshop (CTW) proposal deadline
  • January 25, 2024 - April 4, 2024
    Online submission of JSM Meeting & Event Requests
  • January 25, 2024
    Deadline to request registration extension for government agencies
  • May 1, 2024
    Registration and housing open
  • May 31, 2024
    Draft manuscript deadline
  • June 3, 2024
    Early registration deadline
  • June 3, 2024
    Speaker registration deadline
  • June 4, 2024 - July 1, 2024
    Regular registration (increased fees apply)
  • July 2, 2024
    Late registration (increased fees apply)
  • July 5, 2024
    Housing deadline
  • August 3, 2024 - August 8, 2024
    2024 Joint Statistical Meetings