Update May 19, 2017

For those who attended the Regional Aquatics Workshop last week, you know that it truly was Wicked RAWsome! Thanks to the fabulous hosts, the New England Aquarium.

The RAW Program Committee would like to recognize some of these fantastic presentations as the Best of RAW. These presentations rose to the top as innovative, thought-provoking, and representative of our industry. A special thank you to our at-large judges selected from the audience:
Amy Slagoski
Kenny Stange
Dee Murphy
Allen McDowell
Andy Allison

Congratulations!! to the Best of RAW 2017:


Barrett Christie: Effect of Supplemental Phosphorus and Organic Carbon on Nitrification during Cycling


Rob Jones: Stress and its Effects on Fish (including Mycobacteria)


Sandy Trautwein: Developing a Professional Team: Ideas from the Aquarium of the Pacific


Andy Rhyne: Hormone Induced Spawning of the Atlantic Lookdown, Selene vomer


Matt Wade: Hungry, Hungry Rhizostomes: Successful Rhizostome Culture Strategies at National Aquarium


Jennie Janssen and Brian Nelson: The Cuboid Invasion – Part 1: Sweating the Small Stuff


Mark Murray: Using Electricity to Bridge Temperate Sharks during Positive Reinforcement Training


Katy Duke: Plastic Fantastic? Taking up the challenge of going #OneLess and Fires happen! … How prepared are you?

Update April 21, 2017

We are so excited that you will be participating in Wicked RAWesome!  Here’s some information about the upcoming conference.  See you in May!

Red Tape

Registration is not transferable and not refundable. 

You will receive a unique name badge and must wear it at all times to gain access to the conference talks and night events.  This rule will be strictly regulated.

We cannot accommodate unregistered spouses or attendees at conference talks and/or night events.

Venue & Program

The Conference will take place at the Seaport World Trade Center, located on Boston Harbor, across the street from the Seaport Hotel.  You can access the venue from street level or through the Seaport Hotel by taking the elevator to the Plaza Level and walking the concourse.

Registration will take place in the Atrium Lobby of the Seaport World Trade Center on the Plaza Level.

Conference talks will take place in the Amphitheater located on the Mezzanine Level of the Seaport World Trade Center.

Sponsorship tables, daily breakfast, breaks and the May 11th night event will take place in the Harborview Ballroom on the Plaza Level of the Seaport World Trade Center.

For an interactive map, visit: http://www.remotevisit.com/webvisit/seaport/

The most recent version of the program is attached and is subject to change.  Please use the Whova App to view an up to date program.  An invitation to use the App will be sent shortly. 

Fun Stuff

From Monday May 8th- Friday May 12th, daily breakfast at the Seaport Hotel will be provided (inside the Harborview Ballroom) as well as a morning coffee break and afternoon coffee and snack break.

Tuesday, May 9th- New England Aquarium Icebreaker,  6:30-9:30pm (1 mile from Seaport Hotel)

Behind the Scenes tours, strolling dinner, open bar

Wednesday, May 10th- Harpoon Brewery, 7:30- 10:30pm (1/2 mile from Seaport Hotel)

Brewery tours, open bar, dinner

Thursday, May 11th- Seaport Hotel Harborview Ballroom- 6:30-9:30pm

Dinner, two drink tickets per attendee provided

The New England Aquarium is free for the week to RAW registrants.  Please enter the main building and show your name badge to gain access.

The Whova App has a “logistics” module with a list of recommended eateries, ideas for activities, directions and more!

Green Conference

The New England Aquarium is proud to be hosting a Green Conference!  As such, the program will not be printed and will be displayed electronically throughout the Seaport Hotel and World Trade Center as well as on the Whova App. The Program will also be  available on the RAW website: http://www.rawconference.org/

Sponsorship materials will be loaded on a thumb drive, which registrant will receive at registration.  There will be no swag bags.

Boston is a walking city!  As such, there will not be buses to/from the Night Events.

Registration Times

Located in the Atrium Lobby of the Seaport World Trade Center on the Plaza Level

Sunday 5/7 -3-5pm

Monday 5/8 - 7:30am-5pm

Tuesday 5/9- 8am-5pm

Wednesday 5/10- 8am-noon

Update February 10, 2017

The Seaport Hotel is officially sold out. Unfortunately, we are unable to extend the room block. When searching travel booking sites, please use the "seaport district" as a landmark.

Update February 3, 2017

RAW registration is full and the wait list is enabled. You will receive an email from

Event Brite if a spot opens for you. The RAW abstract deadline has passed. You will receive notice if your

abstract is accepted in early March. Hotel nights are filling up, so please call the hotel if you have trouble

booking online.

Update September 13, 2016

On behalf of the entire New England Aquarium team, it’s our pleasure to be the hosts of the 2017 Regional Aquatics Workshop. 

We’ll be holding Wicked RAWesome May 8th through 12th in Boston’s up-and-coming Seaport District at the beautiful Seaport Hotel.  In addition to a robust week of presentations, networking opportunities and professional development, you can expect some fantastic events. We’ll continually update the information contained here as our program develops.

RAW conference registration is open!  Go to the “Registration” tab to register today.  Don’t delay as registrations
are limited to 400 attendees this year.

The Seaport Hotel is accepting hotel reservations.  Go to the “Travel & Lodging” tab to get the reduced rate and be put in the RAW room block now! If you would like to make your reservation over the phone please be sure the mention the conference so you get the reduced rate.

If you have any questions pertaining to the following areas please use the email address listed below:

Registration or General questions – RAW2017info@neaq.org

Sponsorship opportunities and questions – RAW2017sponsorship@neaq.org

Abstracts submission or questions - RAWabstracts@neaq.org

We look forward to seeing you for the 2017 Regional Aquatics Workshop in Boston, MA!

Click HERE for information on last year's MardiRaw conference.

August 18, 2016

Good Morning 2016 RAW Conference Attendee,

All conference attendees should have been sent their credentials from Animal Professional. You should have received an email from them with credentials that are good for (1) year of the conference content.  If attendee had credentials from one conference and they expired, then attended another conference with their same email then their credentials (username & password) would be reactivated. Having said all that, if any conference attendees didn't get their credentials, still does not have access you can always contact Animal Professional at support@animalprofessional.com and they will help get you situated. Thanks.

April 8, 2016

BEST OF RAW 2016