Links within this page: Embassy Row Morning Walk/Run | Success Circles | Rock Creek Trail Morning Walk/Run | Beetlejuice! | Social Networking for Network Biologists | ICBO | Pathogen Data Network Forum
If you’ve already registered for the conference but want to attend these optional events, follow these steps to add them:
*except ICBO and Beetlejuice, directions are listed under their subheadings.
- Find the email with the subject line "ISMB 2026 Registration Confirmation” sent from
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. - Click the link in that email that says "Click here to review or update your registration”
- Find the button under the map on the right hand side that says “Modify Registration”
- Navigate to the "Additional Options" page
- Add the events you're interested in to your registration
- Click the continue buttons to complete the updated registration, including paying any new outstanding balance
Embassy Row Morning Walk/Run
Date: Monday, July 13, 2026
Time: 6:15 AM
Location: Conference hotel lobby (group departure)
Cost: $15 per person
🌅 Start your day with fresh air and great company before the conference begins!
Join fellow attendees for a relaxed early morning walk or run along the beautiful Embassy Row route. This approximately two-mile route takes participants through one of Washington, DC’s most historic and architecturally striking neighborhoods, lined with embassies, grand residences, and leafy streets.
Whether you prefer a casual walk or an easy run, this is a great opportunity to get moving, explore the area, and connect with colleagues before the day’s sessions begin.
ISCB will organize the group departure at 6:15 AM from the conference hotel lobby. A minimum of 20 participants is required in each group. If the minimum is not reached, the event will be cancelled, and registered participants will receive a full refund.
Success Circles
Date: Tuesday, July 14, 2026
Time: TBD
Location: TBD
Cost: $10
Join us for an exciting and innovative networking experience at ISCB's Success Circles event!
Success Circles is a unique take on traditional thought-leader sessions, designed to foster meaningful connections and facilitate knowledge sharing among attendees. The event is open to all ISCB conference attendees looking to expand their professional networks, share knowledge, and gain insights from experts in the field. Attendance is limited and registration is required. Ensure you save your spot by including this in your conference registration.
Rock Creek Trail Morning Walk/Run
Date: Tuesday, July 14, 2026
Time: 6:15 AM
Location: Conference hotel lobby (group departure)
Cost: $15 per person
🌿 Take in nature before the conference day begins!
Join fellow attendees for a refreshing early morning walk or run along the scenic Rock Creek Trail. This approximately two-mile route winds through one of Washington, DC’s most beloved urban parks, offering tree-lined paths and a peaceful start to the day.
Participants can enjoy a relaxed walk or a light jog while connecting with colleagues and experiencing a bit of the city’s natural beauty before heading back for the morning sessions.
ISCB will organize the group departure at 6:15 AM from the conference hotel lobby. A minimum of 20 participants is required in each group. If the minimum is not reached, the event will be cancelled, and registered participants will receive a full refund.
Beetlejuice!
Date: Wednesday, July 15, 2026
Time: 7:30PM
Location: The National Theatre
Plan Your Visit: https://www.broadwayatthenational.com/plan-your-visit/
Cost: $46.75 Balcony or $63.75-$89.25 Mezzanine
⚡Grab your discounted tickets by June 15th — don’t miss out!
It’s showtime! Based on Tim Burton’s dearly beloved film, this hilarious musical tells the story of Lydia Deetz, a strange and unusual teenager whose whole life changes when she meets a recently deceased couple and a demon with a thing for stripes. With an irreverent book, an astonishing set, and a score that’s out of this Netherworld, BEETLEJUICE is “SCREAMINGLY GOOD FUN!” (Variety). And under its uproarious surface (six feet under, to be exact), it’s a remarkably touching show about family, love, and making the most of every Day-O!
ISCB is proud to offer discounted tickets to a Wednesday night performance of Beetlejuice the Musical. Book your tickets using our special link below for an evening full of fun!
Social Networking for Network Biologists
Date: Wednesday, July 15, 2026
Time: 7 pm - 9 pm
Location: City Tap House- Dupont
Cost: $25
Join fellow network biology researchers for an evening of connection, conversation, and community at NetBio COSI’s Social Networking for Network Biologists event!
This informal social outing will include drinks, appetizers, and plenty of space for mingling with colleagues and collaborators in a relaxed setting. Whether you are looking to reconnect with peers or spark new collaborations, this event offers a welcoming environment to engage with others in the network biology community.
Registration is limited to 55 attendees, and advance sign-up is required. Your $25 registration includes one drink ticket and appetizers. Additional food and beverages will be available for purchase at the venue. Be sure to add this event to your ISMB conference registration to reserve your spot.
ICBO
Date: Wednesday, July 15th, Thursday, July 16th, Friday, July 17, 2026
Time: TBD
Location: The Washington Hilton
Plan Your Visit: https://icbo-conference.github.io/
Cost: $75 add-on fee for ISMB participants. ICBO stand-alone registration is available. More details coming soon.
The International Conference on Biological and Biomedical Ontology (ICBO) is a premier annual conference series that brings together researchers, students and professionals involved in the development and application of ontologies in all areas of biology, medicine, diseases, human health, genome biology, environment, biomes, nutrition, food, plants, agriculture and others. Together, they address issues pertaining to coordinated development of ontological resources, data standards, as well as the optimal use of ontologies in applications.
ICBO is co-hosting with ISMB this year to bring their programming to even more people! If you're interested, here's how to register:
- Find the email with the subject line "ISMB 2026 Registration Confirmation” sent from
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. - Click the link in that email that says "Click here to review or update your registration”
- Find the button under the map on the right hand side that says “Modify Registration”
- Navigate to the "Begin Registration" page
- Look for the question "Which conference(s) do you want to attend?"
- Make sure both the "ICBO 2026" and the "ISMB 2026" boxes are checked.
- Click the continue buttons to complete the updated registration, including paying any new outstanding balance.
Pathogen Data Network Forum
Date: Thursday, July 16, 2026
Time: 11:20 - 13:00
Location: Jefferson East
Cost: 0$
The Open Community Forum (OCF) is a town-hall–style session for anyone who conducts research with infectious disease data, including genomics and other multi-omic data, or who develops tools, resources, or educational materials used in infectious disease research and training. The forum provides a structured opportunity to share practical needs, technical considerations, and use-case–driven insights related to infectious disease biodata resources.
Through moderated discussion and feedback-gathering exercises, participants will contribute perspectives on features, services, and priorities, including those related to FAIR sharing, reuse, and management of infectious disease data. Input collected during the forum will be synthesized to inform future development priorities and stimulate broader discussion within the infectious disease bioinformatics community.
The forum is hosted by the Pathogen Data Network (PDN), one of three U.S. National Institutes of Health NIAID–funded Bioinformatics Resource Centers (BRCs), alongside the Bacterial and Viral Bioinformatics Resource Center (BV-BRC) and BRC Analytics / Galaxy.
This event is sponsored in part through NIH NIAID award U24AI183840.