Non Technical Summary
The National Plant Diagnostic Network (NPDN) is an internationally respected consortium of plant diagnostic laboratories that protects the plant health and productivity of U.S. agricultural and natural ecosystems. Members represent many institutions and agencies by providing early detection and identification of plant pests and diseases.NPDN will hold its seventh national meeting in September 2024, where an estimated two hundred participants from all over the country will gather in Maine. The meeting aims to increase the national capacity of members and member labs in prevention, rapid detection, and rapid response to biological threats to the U.S. agriculture and food supply across the public and private sectors. With diagnostician turnover due to retirements and the influx of new diagnosticians stepping into these roles, it is now more critical than ever to build and share knowledge in identifying threats from pests, diseases, contaminants, and disasters.The meeting will provide high-quality speakers on topics such as emerging pests and pathogens and methods for detection, including beech leaf disease and vascular streak disease. NPDN leadership will relay timely information on improvements to reporting for continued rapid detection.Additionally, six hands-on workshops will be provided over two full days of the meeting to 150 participants, advancing their knowledge on various topics and benefiting the entire network. Two tours will be offered that cover plant diseases and pests in Maine forests and in the wild blueberry crop. The presentations will be available to the network following the meeting for those who cannot attend.

Classification

Knowledge Area (KA)	Subject of Investigation (SOI)	Field of Science (FOS)	Percent
212	2499	1160	50%
807	2499	1160	50%

Knowledge Area
212 - Pathogens and Nematodes Affecting Plants; 807 - Disaster Preparedness, Mitigation, Response, and Recovery;

Subject Of Investigation
2499 - Plant research, general;

Field Of Science
1160 - Pathology;

Goals / Objectives
Nationally train diagnosticians on various timely and relevant diagnostic topics in person.To relay timely and relevant diagnostic information to members to ensure continued rapid detection and response.Strengthen our relationship with our regulating agencies to ensure that our handling of new and regulated organisms process works to its highest potential.Highlight the available methods in our field to adapt to inevitable change.Encourage collaboration and networking among members.Incorporate diversity, equity, and inclusion norms throughout the conference.Enhance committee work by incorporating in-person committee meetings and collaboration and recruitment opportunities.

Project Methods
There will be over 20 presenters speaking at the conference, 11 presenters providing hands-on workshops, and four presenters giving guided tours. Attendees will be encouraged to complete a post-conference survey to provide feedback about their experience at the conference. The survey results will be reviewed and discussed among the NPDN Leadership Team and the National Meeting Planning Committee to gauge membership satisfaction at the conference and inform the planning of the next conference.