Have a question about the NABC/USHBC Spring Conference & Meetings?

Please see frequently asked questions below. For additional information, please contact events@blueberry.org.

 

Who are the NABC and USHBC?

The North American Blueberry Council (NABC) is the voice of the blueberry industry in the U.S. and Canada, and its members represent approximately 70% of the North American highbush blueberry crop. NABC was instrumental in the establishment of the U.S. Highbush Blueberry Council (USHABC), a federal agriculture research and promotion program with independent oversight from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). The USHBC represents blueberry growers and packers in North and South America who market their blueberries in the United States and overseas, and works to promote the growth and well-being of the entire blueberry industry.

 

What, when, and where is the event?

The NABC/USHBC Spring Conference & Meetings is an entirely virtual event taking place Tuesday, March 16- Friday, March 19, starting at 7 a.m. PT on Tuesday. The event “location” is blueberryevents.org. You can see what’s happening each day on the schedule.

 

What and when is the NABC Board Meeting?

The NABC Board Meeting is Tuesday, March 16 at 2 p.m. PT. The meeting is happening in Zoom, and registrants will receive an email with the direct link to access the meeting. There’s still time to sign up if you’re not registered; it’s free for NABC members, and available to purchase for non-members. You can sign up by adding the “NABC Board Meeting & 2020 Crop Report & 2021 Crop Forecast” when you build your schedule using the instructions above.

 

I’m not an NABC or USHBC committee member. Should I still attend the committee meetings?

Yes! Throughout the event we have important committee and council meetings where the most important blueberry matters are discussed. These meetings are the foundation of this event, and these important discussions are open to the public.

 

I registered for the Fly-In event; how do I access it?

Fly-in registrants will receive a separate email with all the details on the event, taking place Wednesday, March 17. Registrants purchased fly-in access that allows them to meet with members of Congress using a separate portal designed by Advocacy Associates. The Kick-Off Rally at 6 a.m. PT and the Fly-In Recap & Reception at 2 p.m. PT are open to all conference registrants, but the meetings are exclusive to fly-in registrants.

 

Can people register for the conference after the event starts?

Absolutely! Anyone can register at any point throughout the event. You will be able to access recordings of what you miss after the event, but you are welcome to join the event at any point.

 

When should I log in?

The countdown begins 30 minutes before the event starts, and the opening keynote with Arjun Chakravarti and David Magaña starts at 7 a.m. PT on Tuesday. Log in early to ensure you have time to look around before the program begins.

 

I’m registered for the event. How do I attend during the event days?

Be sure you’re able to log in at blueberryevents.org. Click “Login” at the top of your screen, then “Login” if you’re signing in or just click “Dashboard” if you’re already signed in. Once you can see your Dashboard, you’re logged in. If you can’t remember your password, click “Login” and then hit “Don't know your password? Click here to reset it.” Remember that the “Event Stage” and directories won’t launch until the event starts, but you will have access to everything all week.

 

How do I access sessions during the event?

Once you log in as an attendee, you will have access to sessions during the event days, as well as recordings after. Start by going to “Event Stage” on the top of your screen. Here we will be running the keynote sessions, activities, lunches and celebrations, and this page will be specific to the day. You can access all the concurrent sessions by clicking on their buttons on this page as well. This is really the content hub for the event; be sure to refresh the page often to access updates!

 

How do I connect with the other attendees and sponsors?

Use the chat feature on the “Event Stage” each day to talk to one another and ask speakers questions, and use the Attendee and Sponsor directories to schedule meetings and talk face to face with each other. These features will be live when the event launches Tuesday morning.

 

Will there be any breaks during the event?

We know that spending all day at the computer is a bit much, and we took that into consideration when we created this program. We built in plenty of breaks throughout the day so you can refuel and refresh, and we encourage you to take advantage of them and step away from the screen for a bit.

 

How do I know which sessions to go to?

Build out your daily schedule by heading to your “Dashboard” and clicking “Choose your sessions”. You’ll be directed back to modify your registration, where you click through to “Agenda” and confirm your selections. Check the boxes next to sessions you want to add. Every session is free except for Tuesday’s NABC Board Meeting and Wednesday’s fly-in.

 

What if I can’t attend the entire event? Will it be recorded?

This event is packed with content, and we completely understand not being able to attend the entire event. Every session with speakers will be recorded and posted on the website for registrants one week after the event.

How do I become an NABC member or a future sponsor for these events?

For information about membership or sponsorship, please contact Mandy Boarman at mboarman@nabcblues.org.

 

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