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Biotech (and other) layoffs have impacted a great number of scientists, engineers, and others. It would be highly beneficial for the biotech society if conference organizers could reserve a specific number of free spots for laid-off professionals with legal U.S. status, whose educational and professional backgrounds align with the conference topics. This initiative would help preserve/update technical knowledge and facilitate continued professional development and networking for displaced workers, who often face significant challenges during periods of unemployment.

Conferences are expensive and typically sponsored by employers—laid-off individuals are even less likely to afford them. The request is to focus on eliminating conference attendance fees for a reasonable number of spots (depending on the conference circumstances: more for online events, and for in-person events, depending on the size of the venue) for laid-off employees. Providing a reasonable number of spots shouldn’t significantly impact conference organizers, but it would mean a lot to those who have been laid off. This topic is likely not restricted to biotech alone. Currently, there may be no laws regulating conference fees.

Please comment which conference you would like to see made free of charge for laid-off workers, and sign the initiative. If you have time, contact senators in your state and congresspeople in your district as well—mutual efforts are stronger.