Conferences

The 2021 National Coastal Conference Fact Sheet (PDF ~ 112 kb) is now available.

Please submit nominations for 2021 ASBPA Professional and Project Awards by August 9, 2021 using the online form.

The Morrough P. O’Brien Award is presented annually to an individual or organizational member of ASBPA on the basis of 1) an outstanding record in achieving the objectives and ideals of ASBPA; or 2) for major direct contributions to ASBPA. Any ASBPA member can submit a nomination that outlines the accomplishments of the nominee and the basis upon which the nomination is being put forth. The winner will be invited to attend the National Coastal Conference from September 28–October 1.

The Robert L. Wiegel Coastal Project Award is presented in recognition to a coastal project that has stood the test of time and has shown a positive environmental, social, or recreational benefit. Nominations must include a statement of objectives of the project and the major design features; evidence that the project achieved the desired objectives with a minimum of five years since completion; the environmental, social, recreational and other effects of the project should be described; a statement identifying the agencies and individuals responsible for planning, designing and constructing the work and the individuals that will receive the award; and the cost of the project. The award will be presented at the 2021 ASBPA National Coastal Conference September 28–October 1.

The Robert G. Dean Coastal Academic Award is presented in recognition of an academic who has made significant contributions furthering the community’s understanding of coastal science or engineering and in fostering young coastal scientists or engineers. The award will be presented at the ASBPA 2021 annual meeting.

The ASBPA Member of the Year Award is an award to be presented annually to an individual on the basis of their giving of time, talent, and treasury to furthering the goals and objectives of the ASBPA during the previous year. The winner will be presented the award at the 2021 annual meeting.

The ASBPA Rising Star Award is an award to be presented annual to a student or new professional who has taken on leadership role to further the goals and objectives of the ASBPA during the previous year.  The winner will be presented with the award at the ASBPA 2021 annual meeting.

The Gooderham Media Award will be given to an individual journalist or media outlet for exceptional coverage of coastal news.

Please submit applications for 2021 ASBPA Student Awards by August 9, 2021 using the online form.

The American Shore & Beach Preservation Association (ASBPA) is accepting nominations for the 2021 National Coastal Conference Student Awards including the ASBPA Student Educational Award, the James Houston Coastal Economics Scholar Award, the Nicholas Kraus Coastal Scholar Award and the Student Coastal Advocate Award.  The National Coastal Conference will be held in person in New Orleans, Louisiana from September 28 – October 1.

The ASBPA Student Educational Award is presented annually to an undergraduate or graduate student who, through their research, is furthering the science of coastal or riverine systems as it relates to the goals and mission of the ASBPA.

The award includes a $500 cash stipend and it is expected that the Educational Award winner will give a presentation on their paper topic for the 2021 ASBPA National Coastal Conference (for which the registration fee will be waived) to present his or her findings to the coastal community. Additionally, the winner is strongly encouraged to submit their award nomination paper for peer review by the editorial staff of Shore & Beach, the ASBPA’s technical journal, and possible inclusion in a future issue.

Entries must consist of a curriculum vita and paper suitable for presentation and publication (for non-electronic submissions, please provide five hard copies of the entire nomination package). Any subject pertaining to coastal or riverine science is eligible for consideration. Representative subject areas include natural processes (waves, currents sediment transport), ecology (habitat, ecosystem function), water quality (pollution sources, remedies), economics (cost/benefits of beach projects) and human impact on the coast (coastal structures, dams, restoration projects). The paper may include figures, tables, and photographs and should not exceed 10 pages in length, single-spaced, including references.

The James Houston Coastal Economics Scholar Award is given annually to an undergraduate or graduate student who, through their research, is furthering the state of beach coastal or riverine economics as it relates to the goals and mission of the ASBPA.   The subject matter is encouraged to be as wide reaching as possible, including economic benefits of beach restoration, benefit cost analysis of beach restoration projects and any other research that includes benefits derived from beach, dune, riverine, and coastal restoration projects.  This award includes a $500.00 cash stipend and will be awarded to the student at either the ASBPA annual meeting or the ASBPA Coastal Summit.

The Nicholas Kraus Coastal Scholar Award is presented annually to a graduate student who aspires to advance their  knowledge and experience of coastal or riverine science through an internship with ASBPA. The winner will become the dedicated staff member for the ASBPA’s Science and Technology Committee. The Coastal Scholar will work hand-in-hand with practicing coastal experts to develop technical position papers with the Committee; and serve as the liaison for ASBPA with other graduate students in coastal and riverine sciences. The Coastal Scholar will work from their home institution and will participate with the ASBPA via conference calls and email. In addition to the experience of working with coastal experts, the award includes a $600 cash stipend paid in quarterly payments of $150.

Award winner will be announced during the 2021 ASBPA National Conference. Entries must include a curriculum vita and paper addressing why the candidate is interested in becoming the ASBPA’s Coastal Scholar. The paper should include previous experience, education, future goals, as well as expectations of the Coastal Scholar Award position. The paper should not exceed five pages in length, single-spaced.

The Student Coastal Advocate Award is presented to a graduate or undergraduate student who aspires to advance their knowledge of and experience in federal coastal policy and advocacy through an internship with ASBPA. The winner will become the dedicated staff member for the ASBPA’s Government Affairs Committee. The Student Advocate will work hand-in-hand with practicing coastal experts to develop policy position papers with the Committee and participate in advocacy efforts seeking to influence federal policy via agencies or Congress. The Coastal Advocate will work from their home institution and will participate with the ASBPA via conference calls and email. In addition to the experience of working with coastal experts, the award includes a $600 cash stipend paid in quarterly payments of $150.

Award winner must attend the 2022 ASBPA Coastal Summit, in Washington, DC (for which the registration fee will be waived) to receive the award.  Entries must include a resume or curriculum vita, a paper addressing why the candidate is interested in becoming the ASBPA’s Student Coastal Advocate, and contact information for two professional references (either academic or work related). The paper should include previous experience, education, future goals, as well as expectations of the Student Coastal Advocate position. The paper should not exceed two pages in length, single-spaced.

The deadline for ASBPA Student Educational Award, the James Houston Coastal Economics Scholar Award, the Nicholas Kraus Coastal Scholar Award and the Student Coastal Advocate is August 9, 2021.

Program

The tentative schedule for the conference is as follows:

*Short Courses:  Tuesday, September 28th from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. for Project Management

ASBPA board meeting: Wednesday, September 29th, 8 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.

Daily Sessions: Wednesday, September 29th at 1pm through Friday, October 1 at noon

Annual Members meeting:  Thursday, September 30th at 5 p.m.

Posters: Available for viewing throughout the conference, but specifically from 5:30 – 7:30 p.m., Wednesday, September 29th

Awards: Thursday, September 30th during the Annual Meeting luncheon

*Field Trip: Friday, October 1st from 1-5pm, TBD

*Additional fee
Program, including times, will be in draft form and may be modified.

ASBPA and Coastal Zone Foundation (CZF) have teamed up together to present a series of short courses as modules for the Certified Coastal Practitioner credential. On Tuesday, September 28th, CZF will present one short course from 8 am to 12 pm.  Professional development certificates will be awarded to those who successfully complete the modules.

Short Course 1 on Tuesday, September 28th from 8 a.m. until 12 p.m. (Project Management).

These basic courses are intended for coastal practitioners, professionals, consultants and representatives from government agencies and nongovernmental organizations.  Students and new professionals are also encouraged to attend. 

Each short course topic is one module that will be offered in partial completion of the Certified Coastal Practitioner (CCP) program.  The complete program will consist of 10 or more modules offering a broad, multidisciplinary platform of knowledge for current and prospective coastal professionals and providing an introductory look at the various areas of coastal expertise that are crucial to successful and sound coastal management.  The basic objective of this program is to deliver the fundamentals of each topic applied in coastal management, so that individuals obtain exposure to a breadth of knowledge and expertise. 

Registration Fees

Registration fees are the same for in-person and virtual attendees.

Partial-event registrations are not available.

Online Conference Registration is now available

Sponsorships are available, please see the Sponsorship Registration

Deadline for registration cancellation is September 21 to receive a full refund (minus a $50 processing fee).

Send checks or government purchase orders to ASBPA, 11940 Palba Way, Unit 5102, Fort Myers, FL 33912.

Hilton New Orleans Riverside Hotel

Two Poydras Street, New Orleans, LA 70130, USA
TEL: +1-504-561-0500 FAX: +1-504-584-3989

Hotel website

Link to Reservations for ASBPA National Coastal Conference: : https://book.passkey.com/go/ASBPA2021

The custom group code, that guests can reference if calling to book their reservation, is SBP

The conference rate is $179 until August 27th with a limited amount of rooms available at the prevailing Government Rate.  I.D. will be required upon check-in for the Government Rate.

Airport and airport transportation

New Orleans is served by Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport and a wide range of airlines. For additional information, go to www.flymsy.com. Ground transportation options include taxi service, shuttle service, limousine service and public transportation is available.

Trains

Amtrak serves New Orleans via New Orleans Union Passenger Terminal, 1001 Loyola Avenue, New Orleans, LA. Go to www.amtrak.com for further information.

Please see the 2021 National Coastal Conference Sponsorship Matrix (PDF~84 kb) for details on the sponsor benefits.

National Coastal Conference Sponsor Registration is now available.

To inquire about sponsorships, please contact managing@asbpa.org.