The symposium will be held from October 22 to 25, 2026. Key events are as follows:

• The symposium opens on Thursday, October 22, with a bus departing at 6:00 a.m. for the pre-conference Wolves and Wilderness Bus Trip to the International Wolf Center in Ely.
• A kickoff reception and buffet will be held at 5:30 p.m. on the same day for all participants.
• The symposium will conclude at approximately 1:00 p.m. on Sunday, October 25.
• A detailed schedule of sessions and activities will be provided to all registered participants.

A student is defined as an individual who is enrolled full-time in high school, undergraduate, or graduate programs. Individuals under the age of 18 must be accompanied by a full-paying adult.

Live-streaming will not be available for the Symposium. However, a Video Highlights Package—including the keynote address, plenary sessions (with panels and individual presentations), and the post-banquet presentation celebrating Dr. L. David Mech and the L. David Mech Fellowship—is available. The cost is $150 and will be available after the symposium on November 16. Please note: the Video Highlights Package will not include concurrent sessions or workshops. Register for the Video Highlights Package.

• The complete symposium schedule will be available in early September, once all session and workshop presenters are confirmed. Until then, you can view the confirmed keynote and plenary presentations on the Schedule page.
• Attendees will receive a printed schedule with their program booklet, and the final version will also be posted online for easy access.

• Yes, the pre-conference bus trip to the International Wolf Center in Ely, MN, is scheduled for Thursday, October 22. The bus departs from the Minneapolis Marriott Southwest at 6:00 a.m. and returns by 6:00 p.m., in time for the kickoff reception and buffet.
• Please select the bus trip option (Symposium Registration + Bus Trip) during registration. This trip is available exclusively to symposium participants.
• The trip includes round-trip coach transportation, snacks, water, lunch, and admission to the International Wolf Center.
• If your agency, organization, or school will not pay for the bus trip, you can register for it and pay separately here.

• On Friday evening, there will be a lively poster session and reception, offering a chance to mingle and engage with presenters before enjoying the buffet dinner.
• Start your Saturday with our Breakfast Chats, where you can connect with leading wolf biologists, professors, educators, wolf facility operators, development directors, and executive directors from renowned wolf organizations.
• Honor the achievements of Dr. L. David Mech and the L. David Mech Fellowship with two insightful presentations on Saturday evening, following the banquet.
• Following the banquet on Saturday evening:
  • Meet acclaimed wolf book authors at our book signing event. Bring your own books for signing, or purchase titles on-site. *A full list of participating authors will be announced soon.
  • Dance the night away to music provided by our D.J. after the banquet.
• Conclude the symposium on Sunday with the presentation of the Voice for Wolves Award by the International Wolf Center, following the keynote address.

You're welcome to bring your service animal. While the conference hotel allows pets under 25 pounds, please note that only service animals are allowed to join you at symposium activities. Feel free to check the 'Does the Marriott Southwest allow pets?' section for more details.

2026 International Wolf Symposium Service Animal Statement

• The International Wolf Symposium welcomes service animals for attendees with disabilities. Please note, though, that wolves and wolf-dogs aren't considered service animals under the Americans with Disabilities Act.
• The task that the service animal performs must be directly related to the person's disability.
• To keep everyone safe and comfortable, please keep your service animal under control at all times by ensuring it is harnessed, leashed, or tethered in public places.
• For everyone’s comfort, only service animals will be allowed at symposium activities. Pets or emotional support animals will not be allowed into symposium activities.
• Service animals must meet local animal control or public health requirements, such as vaccination requirements.
• We request that the service animal be clearly identified by wearing a vest, patch, or special harness.
• Please notify the International Wolf Center of your intent to bring a service animal upon registering. Email: symposium@wolf.org

We kindly ask attendees not to interact with service animals during the symposium, so they can stay focused on their important jobs.

Yes, the Minneapolis Marriott Southwest welcomes up to two dogs (each up to 25 pounds) for an additional non-refundable $75 pet fee. To ensure a pet-friendly room is available, guests with pets must call (877) 411-3436 before booking; failing to do so may result in cancellation penalties. Quiet, crated dogs may be left unattended in the room. Grassy relief areas are available. Cats are not permitted. Service animals are not considered pets and are exempt from all fees.

Shuttle service is not provided by the International Wolf Symposium or the Minneapolis Marriott Southwest. Attendees are responsible for arranging their own transportation to and from the airport. A list of available services is provided on the Fees, Location and Lodging page.

Yes, the International Wolf Center will have a variety of merchandise from the Wolf Den Store available for sale, and participants on the Wolves and Wilderness Bus Trip will also have the opportunity to shop at the Wolf Den Store.

Symposium apparel is only available through our online Bonfire Apparel Store and cannot be purchased at the symposium.