Society of Fresh Water Sciences 2025
The Society for Freshwater Science (SFS) is an international organisation dedicated to the advancement of freshwater science and the promotion of sound water resource management. Headquartered in the United States and drawing members from across the globe, SFS serves a multidisciplinary community of researchers, educators, resource managers, and policy makers working in freshwater ecosystems.
ASN Events began its partnership with SFS in 2023 through the event delivery of the co-badged SFS– AFSS–NZFSS conference, the success of this collaboration resulted in ASN Events taking on a growing role in association support, including membership administration, strategic planning guidance, and full event management. The start of a highly collaborative and valued relationship, which now extends to 2029.
In 2025, this partnership resulted in the successful delivery of the SFS Annual Meeting in San Juan, Puerto Rico, the second international conference delivered in partnership with ASN Events.
Puerto Rico
18-22 July, 2025
800+ attendees
Attendees enjoyed vibrant evening socials, including a live salsa class for 500+ guests and an iconic fun-run along the coast and through the cobblestone streets of Old San Juan.
Program & Engagement
The SFS 2025 Annual Meeting, held 18–22 May at the Puerto Rico Convention Centre, brought together over 800 international delegates for four days of scientific exchange, networking, and professional development. The program featured:
Plenaries and Concurrent Sessions: Eleven concurrent streams reflecting the breadth of freshwater science, aligned with the meeting’s unifying theme and highlighting both research and applied practice.
Workshops and Hands-On Learning: Practical workshops, Special Interest Group (SIG) mixers, and recruitment events allowed delegates to engage actively with emerging science and career development opportunities.
Student–Mentor Engagement: A sold-out Student–Mentor Mixer welcomed over 200 participants, fostering intergenerational knowledge exchange and career support.
Field Experiences: Delegates explored the region’s ecosystems through immersive field trips to locations including El Yunque rainforest, the botanical gardens, and coastal habitats in Fajardo.
Social and Networking Activities: Evening social events included a live salsa class for 500+ attendees and a coastal fun-run through the historic streets of Old San Juan, encouraging connection and community building.
Diversity and Accessibility: The program was enriched by engaging poster sessions, public sessions held entirely in Spanish, and a Town Hall closing session that gave attendees a platform to help shape future directions for the society.
Impact & Recognition
The SFS 2025 Annual Meeting reinforced the society’s global reach, community engagement, and professional development mission. The Student–Mentor Mixer and workshops provided strong support for intergenerational knowledge transfer and professional development within the freshwater science community. A combination of field trips, social activities, and interactive sessions fostered meaningful connections, deeper engagement with the science, and memorable conference experiences. Public sessions conducted in Spanish and immersive local experiences further demonstrated a commitment to inclusivity, accessibility, and regional relevance.
