Register & Attend

In-Person

San Francisco is thrilled to welcome AGU back to where it all began!

San Francisco bridge

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Quick Links

Housing FAQs

Registration

Press Registration

AGU Policies

Dates & Deadlines

Know Before You Go

We welcome you to AGU23, taking place in San Francisco 11-15 December. To help you prepare, we’ve put together this quick reference guide. For more details, visit the AGU website and mobile app, where you’ll find the event schedule, speakers, health and safety procedures, transportation and accessibility policies.

Before The Meeting

Build your schedule

View the latest program agenda of keynotes, innovations, Union sessions, named lectures and oral and poster sessions to build your personal schedule. If you have started a schedule in Confex, it will sync with the AGU Events mobile app. Make sure you use the same email address as you did for registration.

New to the AGU Annual Meeting? Explore our First Timers Journey Map, highlighting must-attend events for your inaugural experience! As a first-time participant, leverage this guide to pinpoint key events, and stay informed about their dates, times, and locations. Don’t miss out on the exciting moments that AGU23 has to offer!

What to Pack

Headphones so you can check out online content while attending in person.
Water bottle for use at one of the filling stations in Moscone Convention Center. Water refill stations are located near most restroom facilities.
Professional clothes for a professional photo in our Headshot Lounge.
Comfortable shoes.
Umbrella

Venue Locations

Moscone Center
747 Howard Street
San Francisco, CA 94103

San Francisco Marriott Marquis
780 Mission Street
San Francisco, CA 94103

Intercontinental San Francisco
888 Howard Street
San Francisco, CA 94103

Time Zone

San Francisco Time Zone is Pacific Standard Time, PST.

Weather

December is one of the coldest months of the year in San Francisco. The average high temperature throughout December is about 66 F (19 C), which means that during the day, a sweatshirt or light jacket is all you need to stay warm. The average low temperature, which typically happens late at night and early in the morning is 46 F (8 C).

Ground Transportation

San Francisco is one of the most accessible cities in the world to get around. From San Francisco International Airport, options includes public transportation, rental cars, and taxis. To plan your trip and explore the city, consider SFMUNI, Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART), Caltrain, and even their world-famous cable cars. With app-based transportation services, including Lyft and Uber, you can arrange to ride with drivers using your smartphone.

Using a mobile device? Download the app.

AGU23 has a little something for everyone. To make the meeting truly your own, look no further than the AGU Events app or online platform to customize your schedule. The app and online platform both give you an insider's overview of the entire experience - every scientific program session, workshop, and event.

For information on Bag and Coat Check, reserving Discussion Pods, Mother’s Room locations, Poster Printing Services and many more useful tips, use the Helpful Information tab in the app.

Download and test Zoom in advance

All online, hybrid sessions and events will take place in Zoom. We recommend you download and install the latest version of Zoom in advance and familiarize yourself with it. You can also go to https://zoom.us/test at any time to test your audio and video.

When you arrive

Getting Around

While you are in San Francisco, you will find plenty of friendly faces ready to greet you. Meet the official San Francisco Welcome Ambassadors! San Francisco's Welcome Ambassadors are ready to help improve your visitors experience. Just look for their bright orange jackets! The city of San Francisco has provided a walking map to help you navigate your path between hotels and Moscone Center. Find additional services below:

San Francisco Community Ambassadors - retired San Francisco Police Officers earing blue and gray jackets.
Yerba Buena Community Escorts - for assistance, please call 415-543-9223 / text: 415-559-1362 - they will walk you to/from a location in this area.
Union Square Alliance Escorts - for assistance, please call: 415-781-4456 - they will walk you to/from a location in this area.

Registration and Badge Pick-Up Locations

If you are a registered attendee, you can pick up your badge at one of our scan and go hotel locations at either the San Francisco Marriott Marquis, Parc 55 San Francisco, and Hilton Union Square San Francisco.

Hours:
Sunday, 10 December | 12:00 PM - 6:00 PM
Monday, 11 December | 6:30 AM - 6:30 PM
Tuesday, 12 December | 7:00 AM - 6:00 PM

Moscone Center South Lobby Scan and Go
Sunday, 10 December | 12:00 PM - 6:00 PM
Monday, 11 December | 6:30 AM - 5:00 PM

For onsite registration, meeting services, mobile app assistance and Scan and Go, please visit main registration:

For press and exhibitor registration, please visit:

Exhibit Hall and AGU Central, Moscone North

Visit Hall F to experience the Exhibit Hall and AGU Central. In the Exhibit Hall you can view interactive exhibits, broaden your knowledge base, learn about new products and services or network with vendors and colleagues. You will also find the Headshot Lounge, Puppy Play Zone, and information about our AGU24 location, Washington, DC.

In AGU Central, you can learn new things at the AGU Central Theater, discover mentoring and career services in the Career Center, relax and recharge in the Wellness Zone, network in the Braindate Lounge and play games.

Monday, 11 December | 3:00 PM - 6:00 PM
Tuesday, 12 December | 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Wednesday, 13 December | 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Thursday, 14 December | 10:00 AM - 1:00 PM

Poster Hall, Moscone South

Set up your poster between 8:00 AM and 8:30 AM on the day of your presentation (no earlier) and remove it by 6:30 PM on the day of your presentation. If you do not remove your poster by this time, it will be recycled.

In-Person Poster Sessions
Monday, 11 December - Friday, 15 December
8:30 AM - 12:50 PM with dedicated poster viewing hour from 11:50 AM - 12:50 PM
2:10 PM - 6:30 PM with dedicated poster viewing hour from 5:30 PM - 6:30 PM

AGU23's poster printing partner is Copy Central. The Poster Pick Up Location is in Moscone South, Lobby Level. Hours of operation are:

Oral and eLightning Sessions

Oral sessions will be held in Moscone South and Moscone West. eLightning sessions will be held in the eLightning theater area outside the poster hall entrance in Moscone South.

Monday, 11 December - Friday, 15 December
8:30 AM - 10:00 AM
10:20 AM - 11:50 AM
2:10 PM - 3:40 PM
4:00 PM - 5:30 PM

Networking and Special Features

AGU23 will offer a wide array of opportunities to help in-person participants connect with colleagues and create valuable memories with activities like Braindates, the Relax and Recharge Wellness Zone, receptions, Climate Parables, and yoga sessions. Sign-up for Climate Parables and yoga sessions will be available at Main Registration, Moscone West (Level 1) during the event.

Coat & Luggage Check

There is a charge of $3.00 USD for coats, $5.00 USD for luggage, and $5.00 USD for laptops.

Dining

San Francisco has dining options to accommodate everyone's palate and wallet. The Metreon is a shopping center located in downtown San Francisco at the corner of 4th Street and Mission Street. It is a four-story building built over the corner of the underground Moscone Center convention center.

Concession meals for purchase will also be available in the Moscone Center. Each concession vendor has vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free options.

Accessibility Needs

View our accessibility page for information on how to access services or visit the Accessibility desk in Moscone West, Main Registration (Level 1).

Seating

We know everyone will need time and space to sit, eat, and recharge. Please be mindful of where you position yourself in the session rooms or near doorways. No sitting in the aisles, or back of the rooms as it blocks egress in case of an emergency.

Attendee seating areas are available:

West Building, Level 2 & 3
South Building, Upper Mezzanine
South Exhibit Hall Level, Outside the Poster Hall
South Exhibit Hall Level, Poster Hall, Library Quiet Zone

Code of Conduct and Safety Policy

All registered attendees have agreed to the AGU23 Code of Conduct. We ask that all AGU23 participants be patient, demonstrate openness to others' ideas, ask questions and be safe.

Wear comfortable shoes.
Drinks lots of water.
Always be alert to your surroundings.
Remove your badge before leaving the convention center.
Stay alert when using electronic devices and limit your distractions.
Do not ever leave your personal belongings unattended.
Place your valuables in your hotel room safe or the hotel's security deposit box.
Do not hang purses on the back of chairs, especially in restaurants or in communal areas in the convention center.
Do not keep a wallet, credit cards, or cash in a backpack. Carry important items in front of you or in your front pocket, especially on public transportation.

Contact us if you need help

We are here to help! On-site? Ask for assistance directly from technical support staff in the session rooms, an AGU staff person, Meeting Services, or the Poster Hall Assistance Desk, or connect with us online with any questions.

We look forward to hosting you in San Francisco!

Housing

Housing for AGU23 will open 22 August and will close 15 November (23:59 EDT/03:59 +1 GMT). At that time, you will be able to reserve housing and register for the meeting if you plan to attend in person. All attendees must create an AGU account to access the housing and registration site once available.

BOOK HOUSING!

Hotel Rates

All rates per night are in U.S. dollars and excludes taxes and fees. These are starting prices. Hotels offering U.S. government per diem rates are indicated below. A valid U.S. government identification document is required at hotel check-in. Please note that the U.S. government rate is subject to change in October.

Review the AGU23 Official Hotels

Download the hotel map

Review the Government Per Diem Rates

Advisory: Maritz is the only authorized housing company

AGU does not sell your information. If you are contracted by any company other than Maritz Global Events (MGE) offering housing in San Francisco, these companies do NOT represent AGU.

AGU and its authorized vendors DO NOT call attendees to sell hotel rooms. AGU, in accordance with our privacy policy, never shares or sells the information of our meeting attendees or members.

Please report any unauthorized companies by email to the AGU Housing Center.

Contact Maritz Global Events

Need further assistance with your housing or meeting registration? Contact Maritz Global Events.

Maritz Customer Service
Operating Hours: 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM ET
864.208.2475
[email protected]

Travel

As a major metropolitan area there are many options for traveling to San Francisco for AGU23. San Francisco is served by two major airports which offer multiple U.S. and international flights daily, a train station, and the Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) public transportation system. Explore different travel options and directions for getting to the meeting.

Airport

Oakland International Airport (OAK) is 20 miles from downtown San Francisco and the Moscone Convention Center. OAK has service from 13 different airlines combined for 30 nonstop flights nationally and internationally.

San Francisco International Airport (SFO) is the closest airport to San Francisco and the Moscone Convention Center. It is one of the 30 busiest airports in the country, with service from more than 45 airlines, national and international, and nonstop connections to more than 65 U.S. cities.

Train

Amtrak offers an energy efficient travel option to San Francisco. Amtrak trains are accessible from a number of cities across the US.

Learn more

Bus

Traveling by bus to and from San Francisco is easy with an array of options.

Travel by Greyhound

Car

If you plan to drive to San Francisco, the convention center provides information on two major nearby parking garages.

Moscone Center Garage
255 3rd Street
San Francisco, CA 94103
Monday – Sunday 6:00 AM – 10:00 PM

Museum Parc Garage
300 3rd Street
San Francisco, CA 94107
Monday – Friday 5:30 AM – 11:00 PM

Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART)

AGU has partnered with BART to support our sustainability efforts while in San Francisco. Taking BAST’s all-electric rail trains from SFO or OAK airports keeps 20.2 lbs of carbon per round trip out of the air. BART is the fast, easy, low-cost way to get to downtown San Francisco in 30 minutes.

Plan your trip with the Trip Planner

Download the Clipper app to pay for BART fare Apply Pay or Google Pay

Traveling to and from SFO and OAK via BART

Travel Discounts

United Airlines

AGU has partnered with United Airlines to offer discounts on air travel to AGU23. Discounts are applicable for travel dates 8 December through 18 December 2023. Visit the United website and enter ZNJE261146 in the Promotions and Certificates box after you have input your travel information. The discount will be applied at the time of ticketing.

Book Flight

Visa & International Travel

We recommend that international participants apply for visas three months prior to AGU23 (roughly 1 October 2023). Some consulates may have delays in scheduling visa interviews. We encourage you to first contact the consulate to determine the wait time for an interview. If you require a letter of invitation before submitting an abstract or you will not be submitting an abstract, you must request one via email. After submitting an abstract, you can automatically generate a letter of invitation through the abstract submission system.

Housing/Travel Package Deal for International Attendees

FHTglobal, in partnership with Maritz, the official housing agency of AGU, is here to support international guests and groups with complete travel services through customized packages designed based on your needs. All rooms are part of the official housing blocks of AGU. Package options include hotel breakfast, airport transfers, porterage, registration support, as well as local services like dinners, tours and much more. For more information on FHTglobal's concierge service for AGU participants, please visit our website.

Learn more on packages

U.S. Government Requirement for Visa Waiver Program

Effective 20 January 2011, citizens of the Visa Waiver Program (VWP) countries will be unable to enter the United States without Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) approval from the U.S. Government. VWP travelers who have not obtained approval through ESTA will be denied boarding on any carrier destined for the United States.

Business Visa Center

The U.S. Department of State offers resources and information to assist foreign nationals traveling to the U.S. for temporary business.

Visit the Business Visa Center

Visa Waiver Program

Review the requirements to participate in the Visa Waiver Program, which allows citizens meeting specific requirements to enter the U.S. for 90-days without a visa.

Learn more about the Visa Waiver Program

U.S. Department of State

Comprehensive information about traveling to the United States, and the policies and procedures for obtaining a visa.

Learn more about obtaining a VISA

Visa Appointments

AGU has registered AGU23 with the U.S. Department of State to assist with visa appointments. All scientists with accepted abstracts should have received an invitation letter as part of their documentation to help with the visa process. If you did not submit an abstract and need assistance obtaining an invitation letter, please contact the Member Services Team.

After applying for a visa appointment, the next potential step to help with your visa process is to contact the National Academies of Science, Engineering and Medicine International Visitor Office (IVO). They often assist scientists with expediting the visa process to get appointments moved.

Scientists who have been accepted as speakers or attendees for AGU23 may request help from IVO to expedite the visa process by completing the Visa Questionnaire on their site. This questionnaire should be completed after you have already reserved a visa appointment in your country. An already established visa-appointment is crucial to working with the IVO, even if that appointment is in 2024.

Because of the personal information the IVO needs to move forward with requests, AGU staff or volunteer leadership are unable to make a visa request on behalf of a scientist. The IVO has provided a checklist to help you prepare for their Visa Questionnaire needs.

Complete the Visa Questionnaire

Health & Safety

Safety & Security

AGU is working with local city officials and law enforcement, along with a risk assessment firm and a private security company to provide a safe and comfortable environment for all AGU23 attendees. The city of San Francisco also has a Welcome Ambassador Program in place to create a welcoming, positive, and secure experience downtown. The program features ambassadors wearing distinctive orange jackets positioned around the city and ready to escort attendees to and from various related AGU23 locations including the Moscone Center, hotels and restaurants.

Health & COVID-19

American Geophysical Union (AGU) is committed to providing a safe and healthy environment for all Fall Meeting participants and staff. We continue to monitor health and safety issues such as the COVID-19 pandemic and follow CDC guidelines as they are released.

AGU strongly encourages all attendees to be up-to-date on all vaccinations. AGU will not require the validation of vaccine information via a third party. However, we will reconsider this requirement if conditions and guidance from health professionals change.

Masking requirements will be assessed near the meeting dates and will be available onsite for any attendee who needs them.

Safe AGU

AGU is committed to promoting a safe work environment in the Earth and space sciences and ensuring that all AGU program activities are free from discrimination, bias or harassment of any type. One way we do that is through our Safe AGU program at AGU meetings, which includes workshops for attendees. This program was designed to promote safety and offer support to meeting attendees who may feel harassed, threatened or unsafe in any way when participating in AGU Meetings.

Volunteers and staff at AGU events wearing Safe AGU buttons have been trained to assist those who experience unsafe or inappropriate behavior. If you are unable to find someone with a SafeAGU button during AGU23, please visit the Meeting Services desk at Moscone West Registration.