A preparation teleconference for the 2022 Sea Level Conference was organized on 15th December 2021, with the participation of the WCRP Sea Level Grand Challenge (GC) co-chairs and members, local organizers and event service provider, as well as staff from WCRP Secretariat and ICPO. The main issues covered by the telecon were: registration and abstract submission systems, sponsorships, and etc. The major outcomes of the telecon include:
1. Spark Planners (SP) will be in charge of the registration and abstract submission system development. Staff from SP briefly introduced the draft design of the registration system, with the detailed discussions and agreement on the following issues: 1) rates of the registration fee, with the consideration of Good & Service Tax (GST) charged in Singapore; 2) criteria of early career scientists (ECS); 3) policy for refunding; and etc. SP will further refine the questions of the registration system by incorporating the changes in the discussion and share the list of questions among the organizing committee before making final design of the system. According to SP, the registration system can be launched in early January, while during the interval, discussion, test and feedback to the registration system will be organized online and via email exchanges.
2. For the abstract submission system, there will be no fee charged for abstract submission, and 250 words limit for each abstract will be required. A list of sessions and reviewers for each session will be provided by the organising committee.
3. Other issues:
a. Funding support from the Netherlands is confirmed and the support from other sources is still being explored.
b. A free poster room will be provided by the meeting venue hotel (Marina Bay Sands).
4. The next telecon will be organized on Jan. 4, 2022.