Check back soon for the Summit report and other materials.

IGBC Summit Program

The IGBC Information, Education, and Outreach (IEO) summit to be held January 30th to February 1, 2024 in Coeur d’Alene, ID. The IGBC’s IEO Subcommittee and partners are hosting this event for practitioners with a theme of building resilient communities in bear country. The registration fee is $100. The event will take place at the Coeur d’Alene Resort, 115 S 2nd St, Coeur d’Alene, ID 83814. Hotel rooms can be reserved at the link on this page, or by calling the hotel at (208) 209-5031 and asking for the “IEO Summit” room block. 

The agenda includes both presentations featuring experts and practitioners and interactive workshops and breakouts to bring together the knowledge and experiences of attendees. 

Day 1 (Tuesday 1/30) – Understanding Human Dimensions for Working with Communities and Creating Effective Communication  

Morning Session: What to know to work with communities effectively  

  • Welcome 
  • Presentation on grizzly bear distribution and human dimensions 
  • Expert panel on applying the social sciences 

Afternoon Session: Integrating social science into developing effective messaging 

  • Breakout session on how to learn about your audience and adapt messaging   
  • Expert panel on communication tools  
  • Breakout session on communication tools and tactics 
  • Visit outreach and vendor display areas and explore education materials

Day 2 (Wednesday 1/31) – Bear Smart Community Framework and Prevention Efforts  

Morning Session:  Sharing experiences, beginning community groups 

  • Expert panel on setting the stage for community work  
  • Breakout session to gather challenges and ideas 

Afternoon Session: Creating community plans, implementation, sustaining and monitoring 

  • Expert presentation on IGBC Bear Smart and Virginia City, MT example 
  • Expert panel on experiences from community challenges and successes 
  • Breakout session to gather challenges and ideas 

Day 3 (Thursday 2/1) – Bringing It All Together   

Morning Session: Funding strategies, take-aways, closing remarks 

  • Expert presentation on funding and resource strategies 
  • Workshop to synthesize ideas and actions captured by the group 
  • Closing remarks 
IGBC Summit Program