Highly successful International Peatland Congress – what can still be improved?
Overall, the IPC 2024 in Taizhou was deemed highly successful, with attendees praising the organization, content, and networking opportunities. The congress provided a valuable platform for knowledge exchange and collaboration in the field of peatland research and industry.
However, there are clear areas for enhancement in future events, particularly in pre-event communication, poster session organization, and efforts to increase global participation.
The feedback also indicates a strong desire for IPS to evolve and expand its activities to meet the changing needs of the peatland community and address pressing global challenges related to peatland conservation and sustainable use.
Positive Aspects
Organization and Venue
• Participants consistently praised the thorough organization and attention to detail.
• The Wyndham hotel, serving as the venue, received high marks for its luxurious accommodations and excellent service.
• Many attendees appreciated that all activities, including meals, were contained within the hotel, making logistics smooth and convenient.
• The overall management of the congress was commended for its efficiency and professionalism.
Content and Learning Opportunities
• The congress offered a wide range of interesting sessions and high-quality presentations.
• Attendees valued the opportunity to network with experts in peatland research and industry.
• The variety of topics covered was appreciated, with special mention of Chinese peat-related research advancements.
• Many participants highlighted the insightful discussions and the chance to learn about recent developments in peatland science.
Cultural and Social Events
• The evening visit to a museum was highlighted as a good cultural introduction to the region.
• Social events and banquets were well-received, fostering a friendly atmosphere and providing networking opportunities.
• The gala dinner was particularly praised for its quality and ambiance.
Catering and Logistics
• Food was consistently praised, with options available for different dietary needs (halal and vegetarian).
• Transportation arrangements, including shuttle services, were noted as excellent.
• The availability of food throughout the day was appreciated by many attendees.
Exhibition and Facilities
• The industry exhibition was well-organized and strategically located.
• The cultural exhibition was noted as a nice addition to the scientific program.
• Conference facilities, including projection equipment and staging, were commended for their quality.
Areas for Improvement
Communication
• Pre-congress communication was identified as a major area needing improvement.
• Many respondents noted delays in program updates and unclear information about social events.
• Some participants suggested more frequent newsletters (every 2-4 weeks) leading up to the event.
Poster Sessions
• The poster session was criticized for low attendance and poor location.
• Suggestions included relocating it to a more central area or combining it with a happy hour or extended coffee break to encourage interaction.
• Some recommended better promotion of the poster session within the congress program.
Diversity of Participants
• Some attendees noted a lack of representation from Western countries, particularly the Americas.
• There were calls for more diverse topics, including peat usage in various industries such as food and agriculture.
Program and Scheduling
• A few participants mentioned that the five-day duration of the congress was somewhat long.
• Some suggested more breaks for networking and shorter session lengths to allow for more questions and discussions.
• The overlap of the IPS General Assembly with technical sessions was noted as an issue to avoid in future events.
Location and Accessibility
• While the hotel was praised, some attendees felt the location was too isolated from the city center.
• Suggestions were made to choose more central locations for future congresses to allow easier exploration of the host city.
IPS Activities and Future Directions
Positive Feedback
• IPS was recognized for its valuable role in promoting responsible use of peat and peatlands.
• The organization’s global collaboration efforts were appreciated.
• Many respondents acknowledged IPS’s unique position in bringing together researchers and industry professionals.
Suggestions for Improvement
• Many respondents urged IPS to modernize and become more active in engaging new members.
• There were calls for more focus on climate activities, paludiculture, and best practices for phasing out peat.
• Some suggested creating specific committees or conferences for early career researchers.
• Increased promotion of IPS activities within academic sectors, especially carbon and climate communities, was recommended.
• More active engagement with policymakers was suggested to increase the impact of IPS’s work.
Survey Statistics
• Overall 83 persons replied to the survey
• IPS Membership: 58.3% of respondents were IPS members, 40.6% were not, and 1.1% were unsure. Note that all National Committee members are automatically IPS members.
• Attendance at IPC 2024: 41.25% of respondents attended, while 58.75% did not (we also wanted to know WHY people did NOT attend, and general hints for future events as general comments on the IPS).
• Common reasons for not attending included budget constraints, travel costs, and timing conflicts with holidays or other commitments.
Summarized by perplexity.ai and IPS Secretariat
The winner of the Peatlands and Climate Change book is Miaorun Wang from Rostock, Germany.