General Information
AETA and CETA/ACTE do not affiliate with anyone that conducts telephone or email solicitations for booking hotels and do not recommend that you make hotel reservations with any of those groups.
Mark your calendars for September 24 to 26, 2026, and join us in Madison, Wisconsin, for the 2026 AETA & CETA/ACTE Joint Annual Convention!
This exciting collaboration brings together embryo transfer professionals from around the world for three days of learning, networking, and innovation in America’s Dairyland. Stay tuned in the coming months for details on the call for abstracts, registration information, and program highlights.
Whether you’re eager to share your expertise or looking to expand your professional knowledge, this convention promises to be an event you won’t want to miss.
We can’t wait to see you in Madison!
Why Attend #AETACETA2026?
“AETA does an excellent job with [its] continuing education (CE) offerings.”
“The opportunity to meet all of these important and legendary people was out of this world.”
“[I] met new people and interacted with people I often only see at AETA once a year.”
“The impact of neonatal heat stress on multiple generations, as well as the series about embryo labeling and ABC forms, was very helpful.”
“I appreciate the practical tips that practitioners share[d] on stage and in the hall conversations.”
“[I] have found all Joint [Annual] Conventions to be valuable.”
“My technician enjoyed the student/technician sessions.”
“[The poster sessions were] valuable and [had] applicable research.”
“[Each year has] good meetings with practical take-home information.”
“[I intend to] evaluate our practice as to whether it has a positive work environment, and examine ways to involve staff in more responsibilities associated with the ART services in our practice.”
“[There were] a lot of tips about the lab and field part of reproduction.”
“The IVF [Practitioner Forum Roundtable session] will likely create conversations for us as a company.”
“[I’m taking away] preconference seminar tips, purchases from vendors, and technological advancements.”
“In the ‘Tiny Travelers: Precision in Shipping and Selecting Bovine Oocytes and IVF Embryos’ session, we discussed applicable techniques to take home to improve our protocols and daily practices.”
“I found several [poster sessions] to be very informative.”
What to See and Do in Madison
Nestled between two sparkling lakes, Madison blends Midwestern charm with innovative culture and natural beauty. Discover Wisconsin’s vibrant capital, with its endless opportunities for exploration, during #AETACETA2026.
Cultural Attractions
Located in the heart of downtown Madison and home to #AETACETA2026, Frank Lloyd Wright’s Monona Terrace Community and Convention Center is where visionary design meets the picturesque lakefront in perfect harmony. You won’t want to miss the 68,000 square-foot Rooftop Garden, which offers a birds-eye view of Madison and Lake Monona.
A five-minute walk from the Monona Terrace is the stunning Wisconsin State Capitol, which is free to visit and offers tours daily at no cost. Or catch a musical, play, or symphony performance at the Overture Center for the Arts!
Outdoors and Recreation
With over 200 miles of scenic biking and hiking trails and more than 260 parks and beaches, there’s an abundance of things to do outdoors in Madison. Madison is also surrounded by five lakes, meaning the water activities are endless!
Food and Drink Experiences
Experience the legendary Dane County Farmers’ Market (the largest producer-only market in the nation), sample craft beers at one of Madison’s 20 breweries, and explore eclectic Williamson “Willy” Street eateries.
Shopping and Local Favorites
Browse independent shops along pedestrian State Street while shopping for Wisconsin-made goods and local cheese. More than 350 shops, galleries, boutiques, eateries, and more make downtown Madison a diverse shopping experience with something for everyone!
America’s Dairyland: Cheese, Curds, and More!
Wisconsin’s capital sits in the heart of America’s Dairyland, where award-winning cheese curds, artisan creameries, and farm-fresh dairy delights make Madison a must-visit destination for cheese lovers and foodies alike.
Celebrate Madison’s dairy heritage with award-winning ice cream from the University of Wisconsin-Madison’s Babcock Dairy Store, artisan cut-to-order cheeses at Fromagination, and fresh, squeaky cheese curds (try them beer-battered at Lone Girl Brewing!).
Hotel Information
AETA and CETA/ACTE do not affiliate with anyone that conducts telephone or email solicitations for booking hotels and do not recommend that you make hotel reservations with any of those groups.
HOTEL RESERVATION DEADLINES
Madison will be busy with multiple events during #AETACETA2026, so don’t wait! Lock in your hotel room early to guarantee the best rates and locations.
Discounted reservations can be made with the following three hotels:
BEST WESTERN PREMIER PARK HOTEL
22 S. Carroll St.
Madison, Wisconsin 53703
Six-minute walk to the Monona Terrace Community and Convention Center
Reserve your room
Room reservations can also be made by calling the hotel directly at 1+ (608) 285-8000 and referring to the “Joint AETA & CETA Annual Conference 2026” room block while booking.
HILTON MADISON MONONA TERRACE
9 E. Wilson St.
Madison, Wisconsin 53703
Two-minute walk to the Monona Terrace Community and Convention Center
Reserve your room
Room reservations can also be made by calling the hotel directly at +1 (608) 255-5100 and referring to the “AETA26” group code while booking.
EMBASSY SUITES BY HILTON MADISON DOWNTOWN
231 S. Pinckney St.
Madison, Wisconsin 53703
Four-minute walk to the Monona Terrace Community and Convention Center
Reserve your room
Room reservations can also be made by calling the hotel directly at +1 (608) 740-6870 and referring to the “Joint AETA & CETA Annual Conference 2026” group with the code “90S” while booking.
Registration Information
Join colleagues at the 2026 AETA & CETA/ACTE Joint Annual Convention in Madison, Wisconsin, this September 24 to 26, 2026! Explore cutting-edge research, enhance your practical knowledge, and foster valuable connections at #AETACETA2026, the premier scientific gathering for embryo transfer professionals.
Current CETA/ACTE members save on registration fees before August 27, 2026—a total savings of US$225 for professionals, US$325 for technicians, or US$675 for students—making your membership entirely free! Join or renew today to save.
Secure your spot by August 27, 2026, to take advantage of early bird pricing, discounted hotel rooms, and priority access to our ticketed events!
Not ready to register yet? Save a deadline reminder to your calendar!
REGISTER ONLINE
Register online through our secure transaction system, and note that all credit card charges will appear on your statement as “ADSA FASS Merchant Services.”
Register
REGISTRATION OPTIONS
All prices are in US dollars
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Registration options
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Early bird pricing
(on or before August 27)
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Standard pricing (on or before September 23)
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Late pricing, on-site ONLY (September 24 to 26)
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AETA and CETA/ACTE member registration
(excluding students)
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$550
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$575
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$675
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Nonmember registration
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$775
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$800
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$900
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Technician registration
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$450
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$475
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$575
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AETA and CETA/ACTE student member registration
(excluding scholarship recipients)
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$100
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$125
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$200
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Companion registration*
*A la carte options also available!
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$175
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$175
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$175
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TICKETED EVENTS
All prices are in US dollars
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Ticketed events
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Early bird pricing
(on or before August 27)
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Late pricing (on or after August 28)
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Additional lunch tickets (Friday, September 25 and Saturday, September 26, 2026)
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$50
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$50
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Golf tournament
(Thursday, September 24, 2026)
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$200
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$200
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Golf clubs for tournament
(Thursday, September 24, 2026)
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$50
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$50
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Preconference social
(Thursday, September 24, 2026)
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$100
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$100
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Awards and networking social
(Friday, September 25, 2026)
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$100
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$200
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AETA recertification session
(AETA certified members only; Thursday, September 24, 2026)
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$0
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$0
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Event
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Member
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Nonmember
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Technician
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Student
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Companion
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Breakfast and lunch on Friday and Saturday
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Included
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Included
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Included
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Included
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Available for a fee
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Preconference seminars
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Available for a fee
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Available for a fee
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Available for a fee
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Included (pending availability)
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Not available
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Preconference social
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Available for a fee
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Available for a fee
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Available for a fee
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Available for a fee
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Included
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Golf tournament
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Available for a fee
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Available for a fee
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Available for a fee
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Available for a fee
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Available for a fee
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Awards and networking social
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Included
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Included
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Included
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Available for a fee
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Included
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NEW THIS YEAR: THREE PRECONFERENCE SEMINARS
Preconference Tour of Reproduction in and Around Madison
Kick off the conference with a behind-the-scenes look at three leading names in embryo transfer on Thursday, September 24, 2026. This full-day session takes attendees to ABS Global, Boviteq, and Trans Ova Genetics, offering a firsthand view of the facilities, technologies, and innovations driving the field. Transportation and lunch are included. More information coming soon!
Minitube USA Preconference Seminar
Join AETA and Minitube USA for an exclusive preconference experience at the Minitube USA headquarters in Verona, Wisconsin, on Thursday, September 24, 2026! Designed for hands-on learning and industry connection, this special event will feature one morning session and one afternoon session, each accommodating up to 40 attendees to ensure a comfortable and interactive experience.
Participants can look forward to practical training and demonstrations focused on embryo transfer techniques, semen quality analysis, and Henryetta, the bovine training model. Whether you are looking to sharpen your skills, explore new innovations, or connect with fellow professionals in the industry, this preconference offers a unique opportunity to learn directly from experts in an engaging environment.
Minitube USA is proud to sponsor lunch for both morning and afternoon attendees, offering participants an exclusive opportunity to connect with others outside of their session. Registration for this session closes on September 10, 2026; secure your spot early!
Lodi Veterinary Clinic Preconference Seminar: Laparoscopic Artificial Insemination in Small Ruminants
Held off-site at the Lodi Veterinary Clinic, this preconference seminar on Thursday, September 24, 2026, offers attendees an in-depth look at laparoscopic artificial insemination in small ruminants, combining practical demonstration with expert instruction. More details to follow!
GOLF TOURNAMENT AT TPC WISCONSIN
Join us at this year’s annual Golf Tournament on Thursday, September 24, 2026, hosted at TPC Wisconsin. Transportation, breakfast, lunch, drink tickets, and prizes are included! Rental clubs are available for an additional fee.
NEED TO MAKE CHANGES AFTER REGISTERING?
Updating your registration later is easy:
- Log in to your dashboard
- Go to “Events” and “My event registrations”
- Add special programming or ticketed events
PLAN YOUR TRIP TO MADISON
We have compiled some helpful travel information to make your journey to #AETACETA2026 in Madison, Wisconsin, smooth and stress-free.
Step one: Register online and book your discounted hotel room.
Step two: Plan your travel to Madison. It’s easy to get to this year’s convention by plane, car, or bus!
- Whether you’re flying domestically or internationally, Madison is conveniently connected through multiple nearby airports. Check your airport’s terminal guide before you arrive!
- Prefer to drive? Madison is within a day’s drive of several major Midwestern cities, including Milwaukee, Minneapolis, Chicago, Des Moines, Kansas City, St. Louis, Indianapolis, Cincinnati, Cleveland, and Detroit. Use the Park Smarter app to pay for on-street metered parking or find a nearby garage or lot.
- Leaning toward a bus? Metro Transit, Madison’s public bus transportation, operates a variety of routes, and there are two Greyhound bus stations located throughout the city.
Not sure which travel option is best for you? Map out your options for free before you book.
Step three: Apply for any travel authorizations if you are traveling to #AETACETA2026 from outside the United States.
All international travelers joining us must have a valid travel authorization. Depending on the purpose of your trip to Wisconsin, you can obtain a visa or an Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA).
Please contact your nearest US embassy or consulate if you have questions or need assistance.
GETTING AROUND MADISON
Taxi and Rideshare Services
Public Bus Transportation
Bikes and Scooters
Explore the #AETACETA2026 Program
We’re excited to announce our tentative program for the upcoming 2026 AETA & CETA/ACTE Joint Annual Convention! This year’s program is packed with cutting-edge presentations from industry leaders and hands-on insights designed for practitioners at every level.
- Golf Tournament at TPC Wisconsin
- Preconference Seminar I: Tour of Reproduction In and Around Madison
Learn more about this event!
- Preconference Seminar II: Minitube USA
Learn more about this event!
- Preconference Seminar III: Laparoscopic Artificial Insemination in Small Ruminants at Lodi Veterinary Clinic
Learn more about this event!
- Preconference Social
- Session 1: Management Factors that can Impact Embryo Production
By George Perry, PhD (Texas A&M AgriLife Research and Extension Center, USA)
This presentation will examine how management decisions can directly impact embryo development, focusing on the timing and type of pre-breeding vaccination, nutritional changes, and transportation stress, and their effects on embryo development and fertility.
- Session 2: Impact of Service Type, Semen Type, and Fetal Sex on Embryo Development and Pregnancy Outcomes in Lactating Dairy Cows
By Megan Lauber, MS (University of Wisconsin-Madison, USA)
This presentation will examine how service type (artificial insemination vs. embryo transfer), semen type (conventional vs. sexed), and fetal sex (male vs. female) affect in vivo embryo development and pregnancy outcomes in dairy cattle, where sexed semen use has grown despite ~80% relative fertility compared to conventional semen, and where sexual dimorphism during preimplantation development persists throughout gestation.
- AETA Certification Session
Chaired by Clay Breiner, DVM (AETA Certification Committee chair; Cross Country Genetics, USA)
- CETA/ACTE Session
By Jennifer Heaton and Sadie Potvin (FASS-ADSA, USA)
This presentation will provide an update from FASS on CETA/ACTE, marking one year since the organization took over management of our association, by highlighting key developments, changes, and progress from the past year.
- Student/Technician Session: Hands-On IVF Embryo Evaluation and Grading
By Jennifer Barfield, PhD (Colorado State University, USA); Lauren M. Bell, MS (Trans Ova Genetics, USA); and Marianna Jahnke, MS (Iowa State University, USA)
This presentation will allow participants to learn about embryo evaluation and grading from each speaker, then apply that knowledge by examining real embryos under microscopes.
- Student/Mentor Lunch
- AETA and CETA/ACTE Joint Lunch
- Session 3: Influence of Dry Matter Intake on Cattle Reproduction
By Roberto Sartori, PhD (University of São Paulo, Brazil)
The presentation will present data from dairy and beef cattle studies demonstrating the negative effects of high dry matter intake on oocyte and embryo quality, as well as on pregnancy and pregnancy loss.
- Session 4: Pregnancy Loss Associated with Embryo Transfer in Dairy and Beef Cattle
By Roberto Sartori, PhD (University of São Paulo, Brazil)
This presentation will review the multiple factors associated with pregnancy loss in dairy and beef cattle embryo transfer programs.
- Session 5: The Bull’s Effect on Bovine IVF—Biological Variability and Its Impact on Efficiency and Profitability
By Paula Rodriguez-Villamil, DVM, MVSc, PhD (Genus ABS, USA)
The presentation will show, using data from 71,263 in vitro bovine embryo production (IVP) sessions and 5,464 bulls, that bull selection is the most impactful variable in IVP—more so than the lab, protocol, or donor—and will cover its effect on fertilization and key performance indicators, strategies to close the fertility gap, the economic cost of low-fertility bulls, and a closed-loop optimization model for more efficient insemination.
- Session 6: Molecular Insights into Bovine Early Embryo Development Following Assisted Reproductive Technologies
By Jingyue (Ellie) Duan, PhD (Cornell University, USA)
This presentation will highlight how functional genomics advances our understanding of bovine embryo development and assisted reproductive technologies, covering ultrafast vitrification, molecular differences among in vivo, in vitro fertilization, and somatic cell nuclear transfer embryos, and sex-specific developmental regulation—together offering insights into embryo quality, developmental competence, and reproductive outcomes.
- Social Gathering
- Awards Reception and Entertainment
- The Broken Wagon Ranch House Breakfast
By Glenn Crumpler, MDiv (Cattle for Christ, USA)
Breakfast and beverages will be served in the room. Learn more about this event!
- AETA Business Meeting
- CETA/ACTE Annual General Meeting
- Student/Technician Session: Hands-On Oocyte Evaluation, Grading, and Post-Mortem Collection
By Jennifer Barfield, PhD (Colorado State University, USA); Lauren M. Bell, MS (Trans Ova Genetics, USA); Marianna Jahnke, MS (Iowa State University, USA); Ashley Lansing (Driven Embryo Services, USA); and Kaitlyn Olson (Trans Ova Genetics, USA)
This presentation will allow participants to learn about oocyte evaluation and grading from each speaker, then apply that knowledge by examining real oocytes under microscopes.
- Session 7
More information coming soon!
- Session 8
More information coming soon!
- Session 9
More information coming soon!
- Session 10
More information coming soon!
Stay tuned for the full program. Bookmark this webpage and join the CETA/ACTE Annual Meetings email list for the latest information!