Conference-Specific FAQs
- Who are the ISMB 2026 conference chairs?
- Who do I contact for information on the conference?
- Where will the conference be held?
- How can I pay to register for ISMB 2026?
- Where do I register when I arrive at the conference venue?
- What language will the conference sessions and materials be presented in?
- What is the poster size for in-person posters?
- Can I print my poster onsite? / Where can I print my poster in Washington, DC?
- What should I do if I lose something at the conference venue?
- Will there be a coat check/luggage storage during ISMB 2026 conference days?
- Are children allowed at the conference?
- Are guests of attendees allowed to attend ISMB?
- Is there a policy about alcohol and smoking at ISMB?
Lodging and Local Logistics
- What are the conference hotels?
- Can I ship materials or items to my hotel?
- Is there somewhere I can store my luggage while in Washington, DC?
Location and Travel
- Where is Washington, DC?
- Do I need a visa to visit the United States of America?
- How do I get to Washington, DC?
- Where can I park my vehicle?
- What sightseeing opportunities are available in Washington, DC?
Local Environment and Practical Info: Washington, DC
- What is the local climate?
- What is the local time zone?
- What is the local electrical current?
- What is the local custom on tipping?
- What is the local currency?
- Who should I contact in the event of an emergency?
Who are the ISMB 2026 Conference Chairs?
The conference Co-chairs are:
Laxmi Parida
IBM Fellow, Quantum for Heathcare Life Sciences
IBM T J Watson Research, Yorktown Heights, New York
United States
Mihai Pop
Professor, Department of Computer Science and
University of Maryland Institute for Advanced Computer Studies
MPower Professor, University of Maryland Strategic Partnership: MPowering the State
Co-Director, University of Maryland Center of Excellence in Microbiome Sciences
United States
Honorary Chair:
Judy Blake
Professor Emeritus
Jackson Laboratory
ISCB Fellow
United States
Additional details are available here.
You can learn more about ISMB 2026 at: https://www.iscb.org/ismb2026/home
Who do I contact for information on the conference?
You can get information on the conference from:
Bel Hanson, CMP, DES
ISCB Director, Operations and Programs
Where will the conference be held?
The conference will be held at the Washington Hilton, located at:
1919 Connecticut Ave NW,
Washington, DC
20009
United States
Washington Hilton is located a short metro ride from the National Mall and a 10-minute walk to the Dupont Circle Metro Station (Red Line).
We are only 20 minutes away from Reagan National Airport and 40 minutes from Dulles International Airport.
How can I pay to register for ISMB 2026?
Delegates can pay online using a credit card during registration, or they can pay by cheque or wire.
Credit cards
The following credit cards are accepted for registration: MasterCard and Visa. For offline credit card payment please use this form. Offline credit card payment is required for residents of certain countries.
To pay by cheque
Make your payment payable (USD) to the International Society for Computational Biology and mail it with a copy of your invoice to:
ISMB 2026 Registration
c/o ISCB
525-K East Market Street, RM 330
Leesburg, Virginia 20176
To pay by wire transfer
Delegates wishing to pay using a wire transfer will select “pay by wire” on the Additional Options page and the Payment page during registration. Wire transfer information will be found on the summary page once registration is complete, as well as at the bottom of your PDF invoice. There is a $25.00 fee charged for all wire payments.
Please note that any bank fees must be paid by the participant. Should funds arrive with bank fees deducted, payment of the difference will be charged to the participant at on-site registration.
The last day to pay by wire or cheque is Friday, June 12, 2026. After this time, only credit card payment is accepted.
Where do I register when I arrive at the conference venue?
Conference Registration is available from July 12–July 16.
The Conference Registration Desk is located in the Terrace Foyer on the Terrace Level of the venue. If you’re coming from outside, enter using the T Street Entrance to reach the registration desk quickly. If you’re coming from inside the hotel, go down one level from the Lobby.
The registration desk will be staffed during the following hours:
Sunday, July 12: 8:00 AM – 10:00 AM; 11:30 AM - 7:30 PM
Monday, July 13: 7:30 AM – 6:30 PM
Tuesday, July 14: 7:30 AM – 6:30 PM
Wednesday, July 15: 7:30 AM – 6:30 PM
Thursday, July 16: 7:30 AM – 12:00 PM
What language will conference sessions and materials be presented in?
All conference presentations and materials will be presented in English.
What is the poster size for in-person posters?
Posters cannot exceed 46 inches x 46 inches.
▶️NOTE: Only in-person poster presenters are required to have a physical poster to display in Washington, DC.
Virtual poster presenters must upload their poster as both a PDF and an mp4 by Friday, July 3, 2026.
Presenter info page: https://www.iscb.org/faq/walkthroughs-tutorials-and-guides/presenter-information
ISMB 2026 poster details can be found at:
Presenter info page: https://www.iscb.org/faq/walkthroughs-tutorials-and-guides/presenter-information
Can I print my poster onsite? / Where can I print my poster in Washington, DC?
It is the responsibility of poster presenters to print their posters.
Below you will find a few poster printer options if you wish to print your poster in Washington, DC. Prices will vary. Please make sure to review prices and turnaround/delivery time. ISCB will not reimburse attendees for poster costs.
FedEx
There is a FedEx shipping and printing office located at the Washington Hilton hotel venue.
Email:
Phone: (202) 986-4806
Website: https://local.fedex.com/en-us/dc/washington/office-5414/banners-signs-posters
Poster order page: https://www.office.fedex.com/default/posters.html
Minuteman Press
Phone: 202-466-7575
Contact page: https://minuteman.com/contact-us
Website, Washington, DC location: https://minuteman.com/us/locations/dc/washington21/
Poster order page: https://minuteman.com/us/products/signs/posters/?location=dc,washington21
Location:
1020 19th St, NW
Lower Level 50
Washington, DC 20036
Scientific Poster Printing
Email:
Phone: (866) 355-5420
Website: https://scientificposterprinting.com/washington-dc
Contact page: https://scientificposterprinting.com/contact-us
Turnaround times: https://scientificposterprinting.com/delivery
Poster Nerd
While not located in Washington, DC, Poster Nerd ships with FedEx to the location of your choosing in the United States and Canada. Free, overnight, and international shipping is available. Note that they do not ship on Saturday, Sunday, or on holidays.
Phone: 1-800-723-3887
Contact page: https://www.posternerd.com/contact
Poster order page: https://www.posternerd.com/products/scientific-posters
What should I do if I lose something at the conference venue?
If you lose something while attending ISMB at the Washington Hilton, please first check with event staff at the conference registration desk. If your item(s) is not at the registration desk, please go to the hotel’s bell station desk, located next to the Connecticut Ave entrance.
Will there be a coat check/luggage storage during ISMB 2026 conference days?
Yes, there will be a coat/luggage check. The coat check will be found in the Albright Room. Coat check will be available each day of the conference. Open and closing times TBD.
You will be given a collection tag for each item you leave in the coat check. Please take a picture of your tag to avoid collection issues should the tag be misplaced.
Items must be collected prior to the closing of the coat check daily. Any uncollected items at the end of each conference day will not be the responsibility of ISCB or ISMB event staff.
Are children allowed at the conference?
ISCB conferences are professional events. Children of registered ISCB conference attendees are welcome to attend the conference with their parent or guardian, as long as younger children are under the supervision of a parent or guardian at all times. Parents or guardians may bring children to educational events provided the child does not disrupt the event.
Are guests of attendees allowed to attend ISMB?
ISCB allows guests (defined as a non-scientist family member or non-scientist friend) of registered attendees. If you are a registered delegate who would like a non-scientist family member or friend to see your invited talk or poster presentation, please visit the registration desk to obtain a guest badge.
If you would like to bring your guest to a meal function at the conference, you can purchase a ticket for their entry at the registration desk.
Please note: All guest badges must be requested on site at the registration desk and are required for visiting at the conference.
Is there a policy about alcohol and smoking at ISMB?
Alcohol: Beer, wine, non-alcoholic beer, and soft drinks may be offered during the meeting. Alcoholic beverages will be distributed per the laws and regulations of the country where the event is being held and is only allowed in designated areas.
Smoking and use of tobacco: ISCB conferences are tobacco and vaping-free events. Smoking and use of tobacco is permitted only in designated areas outside of the venue. Tobacco products, including electronic cigarettes, are not permitted in the conference or at conference events.
The Washington Hilton is a 100% smoke-free location.
What are the conference hotels?
The conference hotel is the Washington Hilton. Once the designated block of rooms at the hotel fills, other hotel options may be added.
In order to book a room within the block, you must first be registered for the conference. A link to book your hotel accommodation will be sent to you after you’ve registered.
Can I ship materials or items to the hotel?
Please contact the hotel at which you’ve booked your accommodation directly to confirm whether they will receive shipments. In most cases, hotels will accept packages but may charge a handling or service fee.
Is there somewhere I can store my luggage while in Washington, DC?
If you need to store your luggage before you’re able to check into your hotel or prior to leaving the city, you can ask the front desk staff at your hotel if they are able to store your luggage for you.
Where is Washington, DC?
Washington, D.C., the capital city of the United States of America, is located in the Mid-Atlantic region of the U.S. East Coast. The city is located on the Potomac River, across from Virginia, and shares land borders with Maryland to its north and east.
DC also recently won spot number 9 on USA Today’s Reader’s Choice Award list for the Top 10 most walkable cities!
Do I need a visa to visit the United States of America?
Depending on where you live, you will need to meet certain entry requirements to visit the United States.
An overview of whether a visa will be required to travel to the United States can be found here: https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/tourism-visit/visitor.html#overview
If you require a visa letter to support your visa application, you can generate your letter by completing the Visa Letter Form (when available). NOTE: Please remember the following details to avoid issues when generating your visa letter:
- You must be registered before you can generate a visa letter.
- You must generate your visa letter using the email you registered with to attend the conference.
- Do NOT enter your EasyChair submission ID if you are generating your letter before Tuesday,May 26, 2026.
We recommend you start your visa letter application process no less than 12 weeks in advance of the conference start date (i.e., no later than Sunday, April 19, 2026). You can still generate a visa letter after this date, but remember that your visa application may not be approved in time.
Other Travel Requirements
Some travellers may not need a visa but will need electronic travel permission prior to entering the United States of America. Before travelling, check whether your country is part of the Visa Waiver Program (VWP). In order to travel without a visa on the VWP, you must have valid Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) approval prior to boarding a US-bound airplane.
How do I get to Washington, DC?
There are a number of options for travel to Washington, DC. You can find information for international visitors about traveling to DC here.
By Air
Three major airports serve the Washington, DC area:
- Reagan National Airport (DCA): Closest to downtown DC and connected directly by Metro’s Blue and Yellow lines. Taxis, rideshares (Uber, Lyft, ALTO), and rental cars are also available curbside.
- Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD): Connected to downtown via the Silver Line Metro. Rideshares and taxis are available on the ground level outside Baggage Claim. You can also rent a car upon arrival at the airport.
- Baltimore/Washington International Airport (BWI): Located about 45 minutes north of DC. Travelers can reach the city by Amtrak or MARC train, bus, taxi, or rideshare. Detailed information on each can be found here. If you need a rental car, information about renting a car at Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport can be found here.
By Train, Metro, or Bus
The (WMATA) provides Metro and bus services throughout the region. The WMATA trip planner can help you find the best route to your destination.
- Metro access:
- From DCA, take the Yellow Line toward Fort Totten/Greenbelt to Gallery Place, transfer to the Red Line toward Shady Grove, and exit at Dupont Circle (Q St North exit).
- From IAD, take the Silver Line toward Largo Town Center to Metro Center, transfer to the Red Line toward Shady Grove, and exit at Dupont Circle (Q St North exit).
- Train options: Amtrak and MARC trains also connect major cities to Washington, DC’s Union Station.
Where can I park my vehicle?
If you are staying at the Washington Hilton, overnight parking is available for $58 per day, inclusive of in-and-out privileges. The parking garage address is 1920 19th St NW, Washington, DC 20009. From Connecticut Avenue, take a right on T Street and drive alongside the perimeter of the hotel. Drive past the T Street Ballroom entrance, and at the first intersection, take a hard left onto Florida Avenue, and then another left onto 19th Street. The parking facility entrance is located on the left, on 19th Street.
If you’re staying offsite and need to find parking in the city, one offsite parking option is Universal North Parking, located at 2012 T St NW, Washington, DC 20009. This location is just over a half-mile walk from the Washington Hilton. Other options can be found using SpotHero! All you need to do is select the type of parking (hourly/daily or monthly), the city, and the start and end dates, then choose from the options provided. You can search and pay for parking spots online or via the app.
What sightseeing opportunities are available in Washington, DC?
Click here for a great list of things to see and do in Washington, DC!
If you’re interested in visiting some of DC’s popular sites, click the corresponding link below to find out how to arrange a tour:
If you’re interested in visiting one of the over 175 embassies located in Washington, DC, you will need to plan in advance! All the info you need about visiting an embassy can be found here.
What is the local climate?
Washington is classified as a humid subtropical climate zone, leading to warm, muggy summers and cold, snowy winters. July is the hottest month in Washington with a mean temperature of 17°C (81°F). The average low temperature is 22°C (72°F) and the average high temperature is 27°C (89°F). January is the coldest month in Washington, averaging 3°C (37 °F).
While rainfall occurs throughout the year, July has been recorded as the wettest month with an average 110.8 mm (4.36") of precipitation.
Reminder: Even though the conference is being held during the summer, it’s a good idea to bring a light sweater or jacket to wear inside the conference venue in case the air conditioning makes it a bit chilly indoors.
What is the local time zone?
The time zone in July in Washington, DC, is Eastern Daylight Time (EDT; UTC -4h).
For more information on the local time in Washington, DC, visit: https://www.timeanddate.com/time/zone/usa/washington-dc
What is the local electrical current?
The electricity used in Washington, DC is standard electricity, which is 110 volts. In the United States, both type A (two-prong) and type B (three-prong) power plugs and outlets are used. Type B sockets are used for wall sockets in North America.
If your country of origin does not use type B plugs/sockets, you will need to bring a plug adapter to ensure you can power and charge your devices. It is also suggested that appliances brought from Europe, Africa, and most of Asia and Latin America will require a voltage transformer.
What is the local custom on tipping?
Tipping is voluntary in DC and gratuities are not automatically added to the bill, except in some cases of large groups.
General tipping guidelines are as follows:
- Servers: 15%-20%
- Taxi drivers: 15%
- Doormen, skycaps, and porters: $1 per bag
What is the local currency?
The local currency in Washington, DC is the United States Dollar ($). There are 100 cents (¢) to one dollar.
If you wish to use analog money to pay for expenses while in the US, note that coins come in denominations of 1¢ ($0.01), 5¢, 10¢, and 25¢. The most common notes/bills come in $1, $5, $10, $20, and $50-dollar denominations.
Contactless card payments are common in the United States. If you’re traveling from out-of-country, it may be easiest to pay with a credit card as needed (e.g., MasterCard, Visa, American Express, Discover).
Goods and Service Taxes
According to DC’s tourism bureau, goods and service taxes are as follows:
- DC Sales Tax is 5.75% (exemptions include groceries and prescription and non-prescription drugs)
- Restaurant meals and drinks: 10%
- Rental vehicles: 10%
- Parking in commercial lots: 12%
- Hotels: 14.5%
Who should I contact in the event of an emergency?
Police/Fire/Ambulance: 911
Police Non-Emergency: 311
Poison Control: 1-800-222-1222
Major Hospitals
George Washington University Hospital: +1 (202) 715-4000
900 23rd St NW, Washington, DC 20037
MedStar Washington Hospital Center: +1 (202) 877-7000
110 Irving St NW, Washington, DC 20010
Howard University Hospital: +1 (202) 865-6100
2041 Georgia Ave NW, Washington, DC 20060
U.S. Suicide and Crisis Lifeline: 988 (Multilingual services are available.)
Important Information for International Visitors
- In the United States, dialing 911 will connect you to police, fire, or medical emergency services.
- Calls to 911 are free of charge and work on all phones, even without a SIM card.
- If you do not speak English well, state your language (“Spanish,” “French,” etc.) and remain on the line while an interpreter is connected.