ANAYLSIS OF THE 2017 NATIONAL AQUACULTURE EXTENSION CONFERENCE

The 2017 National Aquaculture Extension Conference (NAEC) was held from June 5^th - 9^th at the Riverside Hotel and Convention Center in Boise Idaho. USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture's (NIFA) five Regional Aquaculture Centers and the NOAA National Sea Grant Program co-sponsored the conference. Held approximately every five years since 1992, this unique conference has provided a forum for professional development and growth for all levels of experience and years of service in aquaculture Extension education.

Following the conference, 52 evaluation surveys (79% response rate) were collected. The survey addressed conference logistics, quality and utility of the presentations and field trip, an open-ended reflective section on what attendees took away from the conference, areas for focus for the national aquaculture Extension network of over the coming five years and discussions on value, frequency and location for future NAEC conferences.  

Forty-seven out of forty-eight participants were in favor of having a NAEC conference every 3 to 4 years, while four gave no response. The one who voted no actually wanted to have more NAEC conferences more frequently. Every three to four years would be a good interval for National Aquaculture Extension conferences. At least two years are required to reserve a venue and plan a conference. An Atlantic coast venue may be an appropriate for the next NAEC.

This presentation will provide results of the Likert scale used to evaluate the conference logistics, quality and utility of the presentations and field trip. A summary of the 2 open-ended questions will be discussed.