SUMMARY
The 2026 Gathering at the Fluno Center in Madison, WI
August 1-3, 2026
98 members and guests assembled in Madison for the 2026 Gathering. We convened at the University of Wisconsin Fluno Center on the UW campus in downtown Madison. The Fluno Center incorporates a large auditorium with other spacious meeting rooms and a hotel. It proved to be an excellent venue with a very helpful and friendly staff. It is also very close to the beautiful Lake Mendota waterfront. We enjoyed three days of renewing friendships in person, meeting new friends, enjoying varied presentations and social events, and some came away with mementos from the live and silent auctions. The Gathering was a financial success as well. Thanks to robust auction returns, we had overall a slight surplus. Here are some of the comments received:
“It was exceptionally well organized and smoothly run. Bravo!”
“Everything was well planned and the venue was terrific!”
“This is the first Gathering that I have attended. I had a great time, it was even better than I thought it was going to be.”
To see a summary of the results of the Post-Gathering Survey, CLICK HERE.
Thanks to everyone who attended, donated, helped, presented, and shared photos. It was a wonderful Gathering and we hope to see you in 2028! We should be able to announce the location of that Gathering in early 2027. If you have suggestions for a location, let us know soon.
Friday, July 31
The Reception and Registration were held on the 8th floor of the Fluno Center in a room adjoining Smitty’s Pub with hors d’oeuvres and drinks from Smitty’s. A good time was had by all!
(Click on > or < on the image to advance or go back)
Thanks to Elaine Hood and Liesl Schernthanner for the photos above.
Saturday, August 1
Saturday morning started the Welcome and Introduction followed by two very interesting presentations on the history of the Antarctic Research Vessel HERO and on IceCube, the University of Wisconsin research project at Amundsen-Scott South Pole Station to detect high-energy neutrinos. The latter is the largest single grant for Antarctic research ever awarded by NSF.
After lunch in the Fluno Center Oros Dining Room, afternoon presentations included discussion and showing of the film Dinosaurs of Antarctica by the producers of the film, a presentation on Antarctic ice cores science, a film memorial to the Antarctican Society members who passed away since the last Gathering, and a special panel of veterans of early Antarctic science and exploration.
The Silent Auction room on the second floor was very near the break area and was open all day. That room also housed the Skua Table where members could take items and donate whatever they thought they were worth. Both the Silent Auction and Skua Table were well-stocked!
Thanks to Elaine Hood and Liesl Schernthanner for the photographs above.
Sunday, August 2, 2026
Sunday morning focused on presentations about a 50-year perspective on Antarctic research, an overview of the Antarctic Automated Weather Stations network managed and maintained by the University of Wisconsin, and the Polar Geospatial Center which provides maps and imagery for researchers in Antarctica.
Sunday afternoon continued with presentations on an accounting of unheralded participants in the Heroic Age explorations and on Antarctic art. That was followed by an Open Forum which was an opportunity for attendees to give feedback on the Gathering, and any other subject they had.
The Silent Auction continued Sunday and awards were made just before the evening Banquet. The Banquet was held in the Oros Dining Room.
The Banquet was followed by a very lively Live Auction which was both very entertaining and successful! Auctioneer Kirk Salveson kept the audience laughing while encouraging bids on the impressive selection of items. For the first time, the Live Auction was livestreamed to members remotely so they could register bids on the items.
Thanks to Elaine Hood and Liesl Schernthanner for the photographs above.
Monday, August 3, 2026
Monday morning featured self-organized tours in the Madison area, including to the Wisconsin State Capitol, a tour of Madison from a Native American perspective, the Wisconsin Geology Museum and the University of Wisconsin Ice Cores facility.
A Monday afternoon social was held on the UW Memorial Union Terrace which adjoined the Lake Mendota waterfront. It was a good time of final socializing with beer, brats and barbeque!
Thanks to Elaine Hood and Liesl Schernthanner for the photographs above.
Recorded Presentations
The presentations at the 2026 Gathering were professionally recorded. Below are the links to each of the Saturday and Sunday presentations, with the exception of the showing of the copyrighted film, Dinosaurs of Antarctica. The discussion of Dinosaurs by the producers is included. Click the title of the presentation to view the recording.