*All Information is subject to updates and changes.
Conference-Specific FAQs
- Who are the Great Plains 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 Great Plains 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 Omaha?
- What should I do if I lose something at the conference venue?
- Will there be a coat check/luggage storage during Great Plains 2026 conference days?
- Are children allowed at the conference?
- Are guests of attendees allowed to attend Great Plains 2026?
- Is there a policy about alcohol and smoking at Great Plains 2026?
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 Omaha?
Location and Travel
- Where is Omaha?
- Do I need a visa to visit the United States of America?
- How do I get to Omaha?
- Where can I park my vehicle?
- What sightseeing opportunities are available in Omaha?
Local Environment and Practical Info: Omaha
- 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 Great Plains 2026 Conference Chairs?
The Great Plains 2026 Conference Co-Chairs are:
Hesham Ali
Professor, University of Nebraska Omaha
Director, UNO Bioinformatics Core Facility
United States
Dario Ghersi
Associate Professor, University of Nebraska Omaha
Graduate Program Chair, MS CYBR, ITIN, BMI
School of Interdisciplinary Informatics
United States
Babu Guda
Associate Dean for Research Development, UNMC College of Medicine
Professor, Vice Chair for Bioinformatics, Department of Genetics, Cell Biology and Anatomy
Founding Director, Bioinformatics & Systems Biology Core
Founding Co-Director, Center for Biomedical Informatics Research & Innovation
United States
Additional details are available here.
You can learn more about Great Plains 2026 at: https://www.iscb.org/greatplains2026/home
Who do I contact for information on the conference?
You can get information on the conference from:
Justine Morris
ISCB Coordinator, Operations and Programs
Where will the conference be held?
The conference will be held at the Scott Conference Center, located at:
6450 Pine Street
Omaha, NE
68106
United States
Scott Conference Center is located on University of Nebraska at Omaha's Scott Campus in beautiful Aksarben Village, just a 20 minute drive away from Eppley Airfield.
How can I pay to register for Great Plains 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 Monday, September 14, 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 September 28 – September 30.
The Conference Registration Desk is located in the Foyer.
The registration desk will be staffed during the following hours:
Monday, September 28: 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Tuesday, September 29: 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Wednesday, September 30: 8:00 AM – 6:00 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.
More details can be found at: https://www.iscb.org/faq/walkthroughs-tutorials-and-guides/presenter-information
Can I print my poster onsite? / Where can I print my poster in Omaha?
It is the responsibility of poster presenters to print their posters.
If you wish to print your poster locally after you arrive, below you will find the information for University of Nebraska Medical Center's printing services. Prices will vary. Please make sure to review prices and turnaround/delivery time. ISCB will not reimburse attendees for poster costs.
University of Nebraska Medical Center: Printing Services
Email:
Phone: (402) 559-4282
Hours: Monday-Friday 7:30AM-4:30PM
Website: https://unmc.webdeskprint.com/PSP/app/PSP_Start.asp
What should I do if I lose something at the conference venue?
If you lose something while attending Great Plains 2026 at the Scott Conference Center, please first check with event staff at the conference registration desk.
Will there be a coat check/luggage storage during Great Plains 2026 conference days?
No, there will not be a coat/luggage check. Any items left behind at the end of each conference day will not be the responsibility of ISCB or Great Plains 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 Great Plains 2026?
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 Great Plains 2026?
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 Scott Conference Center is a 100% smoke-free location.
What are the conference hotels?
The conference hotels are the Courtyard by Marriott Omaha Aksarben Village and the Residence Inn by Marriott Omaha Aksarben Village. 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 Omaha?
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 Omaha?
Omaha, a city in the state of Nebraska, is located in the Midwestern region of the United States. The city is located on the Missouri River close to the Iowa border, and is known for its pioneer history, museums and cultural centers.
Omaha was ranked by Forbes in 2024 as the #1 Best City to Move to!
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 Friday, August 28, 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 Monday, July 6, 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 Omaha?
There are a number of options for travel to and through Omaha.
By Air
Eppley Airfield (OMA) is the major airport serving the city of Omaha.
Ground transportation options can be found here, and you can rent a car upon arrival by going to the customer service building.
By Bus
Omaha has two different public transit systems you can use to navigate the city. This Trip Planner can help you find the best route to your destination.
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- Omaha Rapid Bus Transit (ORBT). ORBT unites smart technology and streamlined travel for faster, more frequent public transportation, serving an eight-mile route along Dodge and Douglas streets from downtown Omaha to Westroads Mall. You can find more information here.
- Omaha Metro Bus System. The Metro bus system offers service to more than 2,100 bus stops across the Omaha metro area. You can find more information here.
Where can I park my vehicle?
If you are staying at either of our Marriott hotel options, parking is free for guests. Parking options include a covered parking garage and a large surface lot west of the Aksarben Cinema.
The Scott Conference Center offers free parking in Lot 9, located directly across from the main entrance. For a full map of parking options on UNO's Scott Campus, click here.
What sightseeing opportunities are available in Omaha?
Click here for a great list of things to see and do in Omaha!
This list of popular sites includes:
- Henry Doorly Zoo & Aquarium
- Old Market
- The Durham Museum
- Lauritzen Gardens
- Joslyn Art Museum
- Joslyn Castle
- Lewis & Clark Landing at the Riverfront
What is the local climate?
Omaha is classified as a humid continental climate, which means hot summers, cold winters, and significant seasonal variation. Autumn is considered the most comfortable season, with temperatures in September ranging from 55°F (13°C) to 78°F (26°C).
While rainfall occurs throughout the year, most of Omaha's rain falls earlier in the spring and summer.
What is the local time zone?
The time zone in Omaha is Central Daylight Time (CDT; UTC -5h).
For more information on the local time in Omaha, visit: https://www.timeanddate.com/time/zone/usa/omaha
What is the local electrical current?
The electricity used in Omaha 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 Omaha 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: $1 per bag
What is the local currency?
The local currency in Omaha is the United States Dollar ($). 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:
- Omaha Sales Tax is 5.5% (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
CHI Health Creighton University Medical Center - Bergan Mercy: +1 (402) 398-6060
7500 Mercy Rd, Omaha, NE 68124
Methodist Hospital: +1 (402) 354-4000
8303 Dodge St, Omaha, NE 68114
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.