Client Name: Society for Marine Mammalogy (SMM)
Industry: Marine Mammal Science, Scientific Research, and Professional Associations
Primary Focus: Advancing marine mammal science through scientific exchange, research, and international conferences.
~2,000
Conference Participants
Bringing together marine mammal scientists and practitioners at SMM’s biennial conference.
1,146
Complete Abstract Submissions
Received through the SMM2026 abstract submission process.
1,493
Completed Registrations
Ahead of SMM2026, excluding final attendance figures.
73
Countries Represented
Through the conference and workshop registration module.
THE CHALLENGE
SMM’s international, biennial conference brings together roughly 2,000 marine mammal scientists and practitioners. Managing an event of this scale involves more than collecting abstracts. A large volume of submissions must move through subject-specific review, decisions and scheduling. Organizers also need to coordinate workshops, exhibitors, registration and the experience at the venue.
When SMM first evaluated X-CD in 2016, the society outlined detailed requirements for the conference management system. Review leads needed to move abstracts between tracks, while organizers required detailed scores, reviewer data and normalized scores to inform track-chair decisions. Authors also needed to respond to abstract review decisions and update their details after abstract editing closed. Reliable communications and support around critical deadlines were additional priorities. SMM also wanted access to program and attendance records after the meeting.
When SMM first evaluated X-CD in 2016, the society outlined detailed requirements for the conference management system. Review leads needed to move abstracts between tracks, while organizers required detailed scores, reviewer data and normalized scores to inform track-chair decisions. Authors also needed to respond to abstract review decisions and update their details after abstract editing closed. Reliable communications and support around critical deadlines were additional priorities. SMM also wanted access to program and attendance records after the meeting.
THE SOLUTION
X-CD began supporting SMM’s call for abstracts and workshops, speaker workflows, review and program development. Over successive conference cycles, SMM expanded its use of X-CD to include attendee and group registration, exhibitor registration, the mobile app, on-site registration, badge production, and session attendance tracking. SMM also uses the invitation system to issue customized letters to international participants after registration.
The scientific review process illustrates the scale of the work. For SMM2026, there were 1,555 abstract records, including 1,146 complete submissions and 409 withdrawn records. The submission process involved 1,144 unique submitters and 7,013 author records. Of the 3,394 assigned reviews, 3,390 were completed, with 254 reviewers involved.
The review process spanned 10 submission tracks and involved 13 track chairs. SMM also used separate workflows for Abstract Review, the Judges Module, and the Stu Innes Travel Bursary.
CONFERENCE OPERATIONS
For SMM2026, the conference and workshop registration module recorded 1,643 registered users and 1,493 completed registrations, with records spanning 73 countries. The workshop workflow also received 44 submissions, alongside 38 exhibitor registrations.
X-CD’s support also extended to on-site conference materials. For SMM2024 in Perth, X-CD helped produce conference-branded badge stock and lanyards.
THE PARTNERSHIP
SMM continues to explore new opportunities within the partnership. In 2025, the society discussed potential upgrades to the Judges Module, virtual conferencing, and the use of forms for elections and small-grant applications.
In September 2026, SMM expressed interest in bringing membership services into X-CD to keep membership information current across conference workflows, consolidate systems, and strengthen security. The society also requested a quote and timeline for a conference content archive. Both initiatives remain under consideration.
Since 2016, the partnership has expanded from scientific submissions and peer review to registration and on-site operations. As SMM explores additional membership and content management capabilities, X-CD continues to support the society’s evolving needs.
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