The IEEE VIS 2026 General Chairs are excited to announce that this year’s conference, hosted in Boston, will include two satellite events: one in Paris, France, and one in Tianjin, China.
These satellite events are part of a new federated participation model designed to support members of the visualization community who are unable to travel to the United States but still wish to participate meaningfully in IEEE VIS. Our goal is to expand opportunities for global engagement while supporting the continued growth, accessibility, and sustainability of the conference.
Community survey data from 2024 indicates that cost, travel requirements, time constraints, accessibility needs, environmental considerations, and safety concerns all influence whether members of our community can attend VIS in person. In addition, uncertainty around international travel and visa processes has introduced new barriers for some potential attendees. By creating regional opportunities to participate, the satellite events will help VIS respond to these challenges while providing meaningful spaces for attendees to gather locally, exchange ideas, and engage with conference content.
A New Model for Global Participation
The satellite events will offer a combination of synchronous and asynchronous programming. Attendees will be able to view selected live-streamed sessions from Boston and access recorded conference content asynchronously.
Participants at the satellite locations will also have special opportunities for engagement, including the possibility of presenting remotely to the Boston conference via Zoom. This format will allow presenters to connect directly with attendees at their local satellite event while also sharing their work with the broader VIS audience in Boston.
Many logistical details are still being finalized, including the coordination of presentation times across time zones and the format for audience questions and interaction. A dedicated team from the web, technology, and program committees is actively working through these details.
Frequently Asked Questions
How will the satellite events affect participation in Boston?
IEEE VIS remains committed to a strong and vibrant in-person conference in Boston. At the same time, we have received signals from IEEE, as well as through our own data collection, that attendance at U.S.-based conferences is being affected by broader travel and participation barriers.
The federated model is intended, in part, to offset projected declines in participation at conferences held in the United States. In developing this approach, we have carefully considered the number and locations of the satellite events, the programming they will offer, and the pricing structure for both Boston and satellite registration. Our goal is to maximize participation in Boston while also creating meaningful opportunities for members of our community who cannot travel to the United States.
Will there be a separate registration fee for the satellite events?
Yes. Registration details are still being finalized. Our aim is to balance affordability with the costs required to provide a high-quality experience, including professional audiovisual equipment, technical support, and reliable internet connectivity for live and hybrid participation. Additional information about registration and pricing will be shared soon.
Will there still be a fully remote participation option?
Yes. For individuals who cannot attend either the Boston conference or a satellite event, IEEE VIS 2026 will provide remote participation opportunities. At minimum, this will include access to recorded conference content and the option for paper presenters to submit prerecorded presentation videos.
Building a More Inclusive and Resilient VIS Community
This federated model was not part of the original plan for IEEE VIS 2026. Developing it has required substantial additional work, resources, and coordination. We are making this investment because we believe VIS has an opportunity to lead among peer conferences by developing a more inclusive model for global participation.
We are especially grateful to the community members who have volunteered to serve as hosts for the satellite events. The Paris satellite event will be hosted by Jean-Daniel Fekete, Petra Isenberg, and Florent Cabric. Contact: satellite_paris@ieeevis.org
The Tianjin satellite event will be hosted by Jiawan Zhang, Shixia Liu, Xiaoru Yuan, Changbo Wang, and Qing Chen. Contact: satellite_china@ieeevis.org
Their leadership and commitment are essential to making these events possible.
More details about the satellite locations, hosts, registration, programming, and participation opportunities will be shared through the IEEE VIS website, email announcements, and social media channels.
We are excited to take this step together as a community. Our hope is that this federated model will not only sustain broad participation in IEEE VIS 2026, but also help shape a more resilient, inclusive, and globally engaged future for the conference.