Networking
Events
Explore the GSA Connects 2026

Non-Technical Program

At GSA Connects 2026, the connections run deeper than the science. Our non-technical events are where the real layers of the geoscience community come to the surface. Come ready to dig in and have fun in Denver.

Three smiling GSA Connects 2025 attendees pose together at a round table during a networking event, one standing and holding a coffee cup while the other two are seated, with multiple colorful badge ribbons visible.

Attend Non-Technical Events

Connect and network. There's more to Connects than technical learning.

GSA Connects Icebreaker

Presidential Address and Awards Ceremony

Exhibit Hall Opening Reception

Group Alumni Reception

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Ticketed & Special Events

Explore a variety of special events at GSA Connects 2026. Some events are ticketed — be sure to purchase your tickets when you register, as space may be limited and events often sell out. Others are by invitation only.

Paleontological Society

Business Meeting and Awards Reception Buffet
Sunday, 11 October | 6:30–10:30 p.m.

GSA International

Reception & Awards Ceremony | Sponsored by Cengage Learning
Monday, 12 October | 6:30–9 p.m.

Mineralogical Society of America

Awards Luncheon
Tuesday, 13 October | Noon–1:30 p.m.

Opening Night

Icebreaker Reception

Saturday, 10 October | 5–7 p.m.

There's no better way to begin GSA Connects 2026 than surrounded by the people who share your passion for geoscience. The Icebreaker Reception is your first chance to meet new faces, catch up with familiar ones, and ease into the meeting in a relaxed and welcoming atmosphere. Come as you are—great conversations are guaranteed, and live music from the band, New Family Recipe, will be playing throughout!

Two GSA Connects 2025 attendees learn how to salsa at the Icebreaker Reception in San Antonio, TX.
Join us for Sweet Connections!

Student & Early Career Professional Trivia Night | Sponsored by Brunton

Kick off your GSA Connects experience by making new connections with fellow students and early career professionals over ice cream, trivia, and friendly competition! Join a team, test your geoscience knowledge, enjoy a sweet treat, and stop by the photo booth to capture memories from the evening. Whether you're attending your first GSA Connects or reconnecting with friends and colleagues, this event is the perfect way to meet new people and build connections that will last throughout the meeting and beyond.

  • Date: Saturday, 10 October 2026, 7:30 - 9:30 p.m.
  • Cost: Sign up under “Ticketed Events” when you register for Connects. Cost: $10
Young GSA conference attendees likely students posing together outside in front of conference center
Professional Development

GeoCareers Day

Sunday, 11 October | 9 a.m.–1 p.m.

A dedicated event focused on career exploration and professional development, featuring workshops, mentor roundtables, and panel discussions designed to help students and early career professionals navigate career pathways in the geosciences. Sign up under “Ticketed Events” when you register for Connects. Cost: $20 (lunch included).

Sponsored by Edwards Aquifer Authority.

Learn More
Three smiling female GSA conference attendees of different generations pose together in a large conference ballroom, with one wearing a GSA Fellow badge ribbon and a RISE button, and a projected presentation screen visible in the background.
Live on the Innovation Stage:

GSA Connects Volunteer Fair

Monday, 12 October 3–4 p.m.

Join us for a Live Volunteer Fair at the Innovation Stage at GSA Connects on Monday at 3 p.m. to explore opportunities to serve in key GSA leadership roles.

Designed especially for mid- to late-career geoscientists, this session will highlight volunteer roles where professional experience, institutional knowledge, and career longevity can make a meaningful contribution to the GSA community. Whether you're ready to get more involved or are simply curious about where your experience could be valuable, come learn about the many ways you can contribute to the GSA community.

Request Event Space
Two people at GSA Connects chatting.
The Reunion Starts Here

Alumni Night

Monday, 12 October

Alumni Night is at the Hyatt Regency Denver. Submit a space request to host your gathering and reconnect with your alumni during the excitement of the meeting.

Request Event Space
Three smiling GSA Connects 2025 attendees wearing lanyards and badges relax together at an outdoor rooftop bar during an evening networking event, with a glowing San Antonio city skyline visible behind them.
Where Talent Meets Opportunity

Geoscience Career Exploration Fair

Sunday, 11 October | 1:30–3:30 p.m.

The Geoscience Career Exploration Fair offers valuable connections for geoscientists at every career stage. Meet with employers, academic institutions, government agencies, professional organizations, and industry representatives to learn about job openings, internships, graduate programs, volunteer opportunities, and emerging career paths.

Attendees: Free and open to all GSA Connects registrants
Recruiters: Email rtaormina@geosociety.org to reserve a table

See list of vendors below.

GSA Connects attendees connecting with Exhibitors in the Exhibit Hall.

Geoscience Career Exploration Fair - List of Vendors

  • Geological Society of America
  • U.S. Bureau of Reclamation
  • Fervo Energy
  • Geological Survey of Canada – Natural Resources Canada
  • NASA
  • Integrated Geophysical Interpretation Inc., LLC
  • American Structurepoint, Inc.
  • NPS – John Day Fossil Beds National Monument
  • The Hudson Institute of Mineralogy / mindat.org
  • CalGeo – The California Geotechnical Engineering Association
  • Cincinnati Museum Center
  • California Academy of Sciences
  • Geotechnical Translations
  • Society of Economic Geologists (SEG)
  • R&R Consulting
  • Syracuse University
  • New Mexico Museum of Natural History & Science
  • Utah Geological Survey
  • Retired geoscience professional
  • Scottish Geologist
  • GeoGPT / Global Energy and Resources Consulting LLC
  • Lafayette College
  • Association of American State Geologists (AASG)
  • NEW Solutions
  • Urdaibai Biosphere Reserve
  • Santa Fe Institute
  • Association of State Boards of Geology
  • Kairo GeoConsulting, LLC
  • Burgex Mining Consultants
  • NYC Department of Education
  • Oklahoma Geological Survey
  • DRJ Geochemistry / retired geoscience professional
  • International Association for Geoscience Diversity
  • American Institute of Professional Geologists
  • National Association of Geoscience Teachers (NAGT)
  • Chevron
  • Shell
  • Blue Marble Space
Connect & collaborate at

Map Blast

Sunday, 11 October | 7–9 p.m.
Location: CCC Hall F

Map Blast brings geoscience mapping to the forefront, giving attendees a chance to share their maps, explore the work of fellow geoscientists, and connect over the stories that maps can tell. Bring your map. Share your science. Join the conversation.

  • $10 for members | $5 for student members
  • Light fare included | Cash bar available
Multiple women at a GSA meeting smiling and posting for a picture.
Mentor at Connects

Women in Geology Reception

Sponsored by Brunton

Monday, 12 October | 5:30–7 p.m.
Location: CCC 201, 203, 205

Join us for an informal gathering that begins with inspiring remarks from leading women in geology, who will speak to the challenges and opportunities women face in the field. A relaxed networking session will follow, offering a chance to exchange ideas and connect with fellow women geoscientists. Light refreshments will be provided.

Learn More
Multiple women at a GSA meeting smiling and posting for a picture.

Official GSA Event Locations

Main annual meeting events will take place at these venues.

GSA Connects 2025: Memories Made, Moments Captured

You—our attendees—made GSA Connects 2025 a resounding success. We can’t wait to see you in Denver this October!

A smiling GSA Connects 2025 attendee leads a group of 3 people past the Registration area.
A GSA Connects 2025 poster presenter points to a section on their poster for two attendees who have stopped to examine the poster.
A Connects 2025 presenter faces the audience and looks out as they stand at the podium.
Several members of a band joyfully raise their arms as they perform at Connects 2025.
A Connects 2025 attendee places a pin the Baja California section of a world map projection to indicate their favorite geologic site.
A group of GSA Connects 2025 attendees sit in the audience section of the Innovation Stage. Some wear headphones with glowing red earpieces.
Seven GSA Connects 2025 attendees sit in purple camp chairs, some around tables, and relax while chatting with each other at the meeting. An orange tent has been placed atop green carpet in the background.
A smiling GSA Connects 2025 attendee leads a group of 3 people past the Registration area.
A GSA Connects 2025 poster presenter points to a section on their poster for two attendees who have stopped to examine the poster.
A Connects 2025 presenter faces the audience and looks out as they stand at the podium.
Several members of a band joyfully raise their arms as they perform at Connects 2025.
A Connects 2025 attendee places a pin the Baja California section of a world map projection to indicate their favorite geologic site.
A group of GSA Connects 2025 attendees sit in the audience section of the Innovation Stage. Some wear headphones with glowing red earpieces.
Seven GSA Connects 2025 attendees sit in purple camp chairs, some around tables, and relax while chatting with each other at the meeting. An orange tent has been placed atop green carpet in the background.
A smiling GSA Connects 2025 attendee leads a group of 3 people past the Registration area.
A GSA Connects 2025 poster presenter points to a section on their poster for two attendees who have stopped to examine the poster.
A Connects 2025 presenter faces the audience and looks out as they stand at the podium.
Several members of a band joyfully raise their arms as they perform at Connects 2025.
A Connects 2025 attendee places a pin the Baja California section of a world map projection to indicate their favorite geologic site.
A group of GSA Connects 2025 attendees sit in the audience section of the Innovation Stage. Some wear headphones with glowing red earpieces.
Seven GSA Connects 2025 attendees sit in purple camp chairs, some around tables, and relax while chatting with each other at the meeting. An orange tent has been placed atop green carpet in the background.
A smiling GSA Connects 2025 attendee leads a group of 3 people past the Registration area.
A GSA Connects 2025 poster presenter points to a section on their poster for two attendees who have stopped to examine the poster.
A Connects 2025 presenter faces the audience and looks out as they stand at the podium.
Several members of a band joyfully raise their arms as they perform at Connects 2025.
A Connects 2025 attendee places a pin the Baja California section of a world map projection to indicate their favorite geologic site.
A group of GSA Connects 2025 attendees sit in the audience section of the Innovation Stage. Some wear headphones with glowing red earpieces.
Seven GSA Connects 2025 attendees sit in purple camp chairs, some around tables, and relax while chatting with each other at the meeting. An orange tent has been placed atop green carpet in the background.
A GSA Connects 2025 attendee sits in a red motorized scooter as they are interviewed. Behind them is a white backdrop accented at the bottom by a green mountain range. Various lighting equipment and the interviewer is in the foreground.
Two GSA Connects 2025 attendees stand and pin a large, printed poster to a black poster stand.
A GSA Connects 2025 attendee stands in front of a glass wall at the entrance of the San Antonio Convention Center. A large GSA Connects sign affixed to the building is in the background and displays above them.
Two GSA Connects 2025 attendees dance at the outdoor icebreaker event. Additional attendees stand in the background amongst the patio's stone pillars that are lit with purple uplights.
Three smiling GSA Connects 2025 attendees hold a variety of colorful badge ribbons as they stand in front of the Registration area of the meeting.
Four smiling GSA Connects 2025 attendees sit at a table and face the camera as they network at a meeting event.
A GSA Connects 2025 attendee beams with a smile as they stand near a meeting stage. Three attendees in the background sit in chairs on a platform.
A GSA Connects 2025 attendee sits in a red motorized scooter as they are interviewed. Behind them is a white backdrop accented at the bottom by a green mountain range. Various lighting equipment and the interviewer is in the foreground.
Two GSA Connects 2025 attendees stand and pin a large, printed poster to a black poster stand.
A GSA Connects 2025 attendee stands in front of a glass wall at the entrance of the San Antonio Convention Center. A large GSA Connects sign affixed to the building is in the background and displays above them.
Two GSA Connects 2025 attendees dance at the outdoor icebreaker event. Additional attendees stand in the background amongst the patio's stone pillars that are lit with purple uplights.
Three smiling GSA Connects 2025 attendees hold a variety of colorful badge ribbons as they stand in front of the Registration area of the meeting.
Four smiling GSA Connects 2025 attendees sit at a table and face the camera as they network at a meeting event.
A GSA Connects 2025 attendee beams with a smile as they stand near a meeting stage. Three attendees in the background sit in chairs on a platform.
A GSA Connects 2025 attendee sits in a red motorized scooter as they are interviewed. Behind them is a white backdrop accented at the bottom by a green mountain range. Various lighting equipment and the interviewer is in the foreground.
Two GSA Connects 2025 attendees stand and pin a large, printed poster to a black poster stand.
A GSA Connects 2025 attendee stands in front of a glass wall at the entrance of the San Antonio Convention Center. A large GSA Connects sign affixed to the building is in the background and displays above them.
Two GSA Connects 2025 attendees dance at the outdoor icebreaker event. Additional attendees stand in the background amongst the patio's stone pillars that are lit with purple uplights.
Three smiling GSA Connects 2025 attendees hold a variety of colorful badge ribbons as they stand in front of the Registration area of the meeting.
Four smiling GSA Connects 2025 attendees sit at a table and face the camera as they network at a meeting event.
A GSA Connects 2025 attendee beams with a smile as they stand near a meeting stage. Three attendees in the background sit in chairs on a platform.
A GSA Connects 2025 attendee sits in a red motorized scooter as they are interviewed. Behind them is a white backdrop accented at the bottom by a green mountain range. Various lighting equipment and the interviewer is in the foreground.
Two GSA Connects 2025 attendees stand and pin a large, printed poster to a black poster stand.
A GSA Connects 2025 attendee stands in front of a glass wall at the entrance of the San Antonio Convention Center. A large GSA Connects sign affixed to the building is in the background and displays above them.
Two GSA Connects 2025 attendees dance at the outdoor icebreaker event. Additional attendees stand in the background amongst the patio's stone pillars that are lit with purple uplights.
Three smiling GSA Connects 2025 attendees hold a variety of colorful badge ribbons as they stand in front of the Registration area of the meeting.
Four smiling GSA Connects 2025 attendees sit at a table and face the camera as they network at a meeting event.
A GSA Connects 2025 attendee beams with a smile as they stand near a meeting stage. Three attendees in the background sit in chairs on a platform.

Contact

Have questions about planning, scheduling, or attending an event?

Lindsey Henslee, Director of Meetings & Events

spacerequest@geosociety.org

GSA Meetings Department

meetings@geosociety.org
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