The 2025 NCKMS production team recognizes the inherent value of informal interactions and spontaneous discussions that often occur outside the confines of our symposium's scheduled programming.
Networking breaks, coffee sessions, and social gatherings offer invaluable opportunities for knowledge exchange, allowing our participants to share practical insights, innovative solutions, and personal experiences. These informal settings foster a collaborative atmosphere where cave and karst management professionals may connect with their peers, forge relationships, discuss ideas, and help build a collective expertise and shared knowledgebase within our field.
During the 2025 NCKMS conference, we encourage all of our participants to actively engage in both formal and informal networking opportunities. We are working on several programs to help extend these opportunities and will announce additional details in the coming months.
Friday, Oct. 3
7:30PM at JT's Steakhouse (Ramada by Wyndham Ely, 805 Great Basin Blvd)
Saturday, Oct. 4
6PM at the Postal Palace (415 5th Street, behind Hotel Nevada)
Western Cave Conservancy's President's Reception
Join us for a free "gourmet hot dog" feast as board members of the WCC greet board members of the National Speleological Society and welcome Dr. Annette Summers Engel - the new Executive Director of the NSS! Free food, no-host bar.
Sunday, Oct. 5
5PM at the Bristlecone Convention Center
Ice Cream Ice-Breaker Social and early registration & check-in!
7PM Ghost Toast at Ward Mountain Cemetery!
The life histories of 46 souls of the Ward Mountain Cemetery tell a fascinating story about what life was like in the early mining boom towns of White Pine County. Most residents of Ward were not native to the area. Many came from as far away as China and the British Isles. Anyone interested in "toasting the ghosts"? It's about a 25 minute drive south of Ely. Dress warmly, and if you have one, bring a headlamp!
9PM at the Jailhouse Motel Casino (211 5th St, Ely)
The Jailhouse will be our destination after greeting the ghosts. If you want to skip the cemetery, just go here & we'll meet you in the bar.
Monday, Oct. 6
5PM at the Northern Nevada Railway (1100 Ave A, Ely)
Ely's very own Rockin' & Rollin' Geology Train will depart the station promptly at 5. We suggest you arrive at least 15 minutes early (earlier if you want to check out their cool gift shop!)
Two local geologists will join us on the train as we ride up through the Robinson Nevada Mining District.
You MUST wear your registration badge to get on the train.
6:45PM at Racks Nevada Bar & Grill (753 E Aultman St.)
Special thanks to Racks for offering the discount coupon you'll find in your registration packet! After the train, we're heading there to show, "Under a Desert Sky", the movie you would have seen if the government hadn't shuttered Great Basin National Park last week. Bacardi drink specials will be offered at the restaurant bar. Might want to dress warmly - the outside patio can get chilly after dark.
Tuesday, Oct. 7
After the howdy party & banquet, we invite people to join us at Hotel Nevada for social networking. It can be a bit smokey, but the hotel definitely has an old-world charm to it.
Wednesday, Oct. 8
You've just spent a long day exploring the Nevada wilderness, but save some energy for the NCKMS poster sessions at the Bristlecone Convention Center. We'll have some fun & games and (rumor has it) there will be a crawl box and door prizes!
9PM at Mr. Ginos (484 E Aultman St.)
After the poster sessions, go south of the border - WAY south... Our very own Shiloh McCollum learned Samba dancing at the recent International Congress of Speleology in Brazil - and she's now giving lessons! If you have a Spotify account, she's taking requests for the playlist.
Thursday, Oct. 9
After the closing banquet, if you have any energy left, we'll head across the street to the Jailhouse Motel Casino (211 5th St, Ely) to share stories and close out the night.
Multiple field trips on Wednesday will offer extensive networking opportunities for cave and karst professionals. That evening, when the busses return, we will all gather at the convention center for poster sessions in an informal setting. Image courtesy of Matt Selig, Indiana Karst Conservancy.
Learn MoreThe official event schedule for the 2025 NCKMS has now been updated. Please check our schedule page or download a PDF to your mobile device.
The Great Basin National Heritage Area is the epitome of remote destinations with the Great Basin National Park, hundreds of miles of ATV trails, and numerous natural attractions. Explore the wide open spaces, travel uncrowded trails, and experience some of the darkest night skies in the country.
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