On behalf of the IMTA’s Management Board and the Society for Military Psychology’s Executive Committee, you are invited to attend and participate in a special joint meeting of the IMTA conference and the International Applied Psychology Symposium (IAMPS) in Raleigh, North Carolina, United States, from October 25th – 28th, 2021. This is the 62nd IMTA meeting and marks its first return to the United States since 2003. More information about the conference can be found at http://www.imta.info/Conference/Conference_Home.aspx.
We are excited to host our International and US colleagues. The joint meeting provides an opportunity for military members, psychologists, researchers, talent professionals, academics, students, and vendors to share, learn, collaborate, and network around important topics in military research and practice. This unique joint meeting provides a forum to discuss common challenges and collaborate on evidence-based solutions.
I invite and encourage you to submit a paper, symposium, panel, or poster proposal to share your research and best practices within the military research and practice community. There are several important topics on which we are soliciting proposals, such as the Future of Military Talent Management, Assessment and Development and the Impact of COVID-19 on Military Talent, Assessment and Development Practices. A topic list and call for papers can be found at http://www.imta.info/Conference/Conference_Home.aspx. Submission guidelines can be found at http://www.imta.info/Conference/Guidelines.aspx.
When making your travel plans, please consider arriving Sunday and attending the Military Psychology (journal) paper development workshops by editor Tom Britt on Monday, October 25. Spaces are limited. The opening reception and networking event is Monday evening as well. Also, consider staying for a special trip to the Airborne and Special Operations Museum on Friday, October 29.
Although COVID is still a concern, there is a desire from members of our community to come together in person. As of now, the meeting is moving forward as an in-person event. Safety of our guests is paramount. We are working with the hotel and local authorities to ensure a safe event and to follow all local guidelines for indoor events. All registrants will receive an email addressing the COVID precautions in place for the event at the time of the conference.
We believe the travel ban will be lifted before October. Note, some visas are exempt from the travel ban via the Biden Administration Executive Order (such as NATO visas) and there are other exemptions as well (e.g., (xii) any noncitizen whose entry would be in the national interest, as determined by the Secretary of State, the Secretary of Homeland Security, or their designees). I believe the important sharing of research and best practices, collaboration and relationship building that happens at IMTA are in the “national interest”. I encourage you to contact the US Embassy in your country and ask if you qualify for an exemption.
As a reminder, participants are responsible for their travel and conference arrangements and costs. Please check the conference website for complete event, pricing, accommodation, and location information. We look forward to welcoming and hosting you in Raleigh in October. If you have any questions, please reach out to the IMTA Conference Committee at IMTA2021RaleighNC@gmail.com.
Sincerely,
Eric A. Surface, PhD
2021 Past President and Fellow, Society for Military Psychology (Division 19 of the APA)
2021 IMTA Committee Chair