Frequently Asked Questions

Do you have to be an ISEB or ISSM member to attend the Joint Symposium? 

No, you don't have to be a member or either organization to attend. A full Delegate or Student Delegate registration will receive a complementary 2-year ISEB membership! This is a value of $20 for a student and $40 for other delegates.

Why is booking a room at the Banff Park Lodge important for the ISEB-ISSM Symposium?

The 2023 ISEB-ISSM Joint Symposium will take place at the Banff Park Lodge. For ISEB-ISSM to use rooms for the oral and poster sessions, as well as receptions and meals, the costs for symposium room use and food expenses during the week are significantly offset by having a negotiated number of sleeping rooms booked and filled by Delegates in our block for every night of the Symposium at the Lodge. The Lodge will hold these rooms (which are at a discounted rate for the season) for our Delegates, but if we don’t fill the rooms, then ISEB-ISSM would need to cover the cost of any unused rooms. Moreover, if ISEB-ISSM is unable to meet hotel lodging obligations, then it will be difficult to cover the other expected expenses for the symposium and may jeopardize future meetings.

Are there specific Banff Park Lodge booking details?

Yes.  Until Sept 1, 2023, delegates could take advantage of the fact that ISEB-ISSM negotiated specific reduced rates for rooms at the Banff Park Lodge:

Room Block Negotiated Rates (Canadian Dollars)
Superior Room $155.00
Deluxe Jacuzzi Room $215.00
Executive, Lodge or Parlour Suite $275.00

Rates include Wi-Fi internet, cable TV, in-room climate control, a coffee maker and mini-fridge, a private bath, and a private balcony or patio to enjoy the views. Room category is on a request/availability basis. All rates are based on per room per night Single or Double Occupancy.

Room rates are extended to delegates two days prior and two days after the contracted symposium dates on a space available basis. Once the reservation is confirmed for the dates within the symposium, delegates can email [email protected] to add on pre/post stays. 

The room Block ID was #555050 or you can use the group name - International Society of Environment Biogeochemistry.

Rates are subject to the 2% Tourism Improvement Fee (TIF), the 4% Tourism Levy, and 5 % Federal Goods and Services Tax (GST). Certain blackout dates may apply. For triple and quad needs: Additional guests (16 years and older) will be charged at a rate of $25 per person per night plus applicable taxes. A maximum of 4 adults are permitted per room.

No online bookings can be made after Friday, September 1, 2023.

Indoor parking is also available for hotel guests. A daily parking charge is not included in the guestroom rates. The current 2023 Banff Park Lodge parking charges are $14.00 per day for self-parking, plus GST. Parking fees are subject to change.

Deposited reservations are guaranteed for arrival until 07:00 AM on the day following the first night reserved. Individual deposits are refundable if the notice of cancellation is received by the Banff Park Lodge 45 days prior to the date of arrival. 

All delegates must be advised our check-in time is 4:00 p.m. We will do our utmost to assign rooms as they become available to any delegates arriving prior to that time. Check-out time is 11:00 a.m.

Luggage may be stored at no cost with the Concierge should guests arrive prior to rooms being ready, or if meetings will continue after check-out time. Requests to retain rooms after the check-out time should be directed to the Front Office Manager on the day of departure and are subject to a late departure charge.

What happens when the Banff Park Lodge room block fills?

The Reservation team at the Banff Park Lodge is able to quote rates at their sister property, The Peaks Hotel. They have a "‘preferred rate" for delegates still in need of rooms, at the Peaks Hotel & Suites, under the  Block ID #630692, for Sunday through Thursday:

Standard Rooms (limited view) - $189+ tx/night
Junior Suites (limited view) - $209+tx/night
Standard Rooms - $229 + tx/night

 Will ISEB-ISSM use 3rd-party booking services?

No. Please beware of scams. The 2023 ISEB-ISSM Joint Symposium registration and hotel reservations should only be made following the instructions listed on this official symposium website. Do not provide your personal or credit card information to any parties that solicit hotel reservations via phone, e-mail, or fax. All ISEB-ISSM  registration is done only through this official website and using secure Paypal through the website store. No other services will be used to take registrations. All hotel reservations with the Banff Park Lodge should be done using the link on the Venue page or by calling the hotel's Reservation line. Beware of telephone/e-mail/fax scams offering “special” hotel rates on behalf of ISEB-ISSM for any other hotel in Banff. No other hotel services were pre-arranged by ISEB-ISSM. If you have questions about an unauthorized solicitation, please get in touch with us.

What is included in Registration?

The Organizing Committee from ISEB-ISSM has worked very hard to keep costs as low as possible while also planning for an enriching, exciting, and special experience. The goal has been to maximize every registration dollar to cover expenses incurred to host the symposium, such as from the use of facilities in Banff, including the Banff Park Lodge, the Mountain View banquet site, and the Fenlands, as well as poster display rental, buses for transportation to/from the Banquet and field trips, website hosting, plenary speakers, and Delegate amenities, specifically breakfasts every day, lunches and snack breaks most days, a banquet, and receptions. Providing group meals to each Delegate during the week is an ISEB tradition, and gives everyone more time for networking and social exchange. We hope that everyone recognizes the value of these amenities.

Symposium registration for Full and Student Delegates includes:
● Breakfasts (Monday through Friday)
● Lunches (Monday, Tuesday, Thursday)
● Nutritional Breaks (Monday, Tuesday, Thursday)
● Awards Banquet and transportation (Thursday)
● Oral and poster sessions throughout the week
● Welcome (Sunday) and Closing (Friday) receptions
● Networking activities
● 2-year membership with ISEB

Why are daily registration costs different?

Daily registrations vary because of the expenses needed to cover each person for that specific day, such as food options (breakfast, breaks, lunch) or other activities (e.g., receptions, banquet).

Can I have a guest attend the symposium?

Yes. Registration for guests for the entire week can be done on the Registration page. Fully paid Delegates can have accompanying Guests attend specific activities during the week, but guests should not attend oral and poster sessions. If there is interest in attending sessions, then we encourage registration as a full Delegate instead, or perhaps consider daily registrations. 

Symposium Guest registration includes:
● Breakfasts (Monday through Friday)
● Awards Banquet and transportation (Thursday) 
● Welcome (Sunday) and Closing (Friday) receptions
● Other networking and social activities

Are there Registration terms and conditions?

Please see the Registration Terms and Conditions information. These terms include the cancellation policy and important dates. 

Will there be a Code of Conduct for the symposium?

Yes, ISEB and ISSM have a Code of Conduct for the Symposium. Please see the Code of Conduct for more information. 

2023 ISEB & ISSM


About us

The International Society for Environmental Biogeochemistry and the International Society for Subsurface Microbiology teamed up in 2005 for their first joint symposium in Jackson Hole, Wyoming. This 2023 gathering of both societies will be the  2nd joint symposium, but separately will be the 25th symposium for ISEB and the 11th symposium for ISSM.