Having IMPACTT 6:
Advancing Microbiome Research
Sept 28-30, 2026
Join us for this exciting 2.5 day symposium in the beautiful Rocky Mountains that will highlight the latest microbiome research from across Canada and around the world.
About The Symposium
Building on 5 successful years of education, collaboration and translation, our Having IMPACTT (Integrated Microbiome Platforms for Advancing Causation Testing and Translation) Symposium will continue its mission under the University of Calgary’s International Microbiome Centre (IMC) banner. The IMC is proud to present Having IMPACTT 6: Advancing Microbiome Research Symposium, occurring Sept 28-30, 2026. Our symposium is of interest to microbiome researchers, clinicians, trainees, and members of industry.
Our goal is to bring together leading minds and highlight the latest findings and new discoveries from microbiome research teams across Canada and around the world. From causation testing to translational studies, world-class researchers will share their findings on how our microbiome shapes our health, and how we can harness the power of our microbes to improve global well being.
If you’d like to be kept updated about our 2026 symposium, click the “Stay Updated” button below and fill in your contact info. We’ll let you know as soon as new details are released.
Symposium Location
The Malcolm Hotel
321 Spring Creek Drive
Canmore, AB, Canada
Daily Schedule
Our symposium will take place September 28-30, 2026 over 2.5 days.
Our daily schedule:
Monday, 28 Sept 2026
09:00 AM – 6:30 PM (MDT)
Tuesday, 29 Sept 2026
09:00 AM – 6:30 PM (MDT)
Wednesday, 30 Sept 2026
09:00 AM – 12:30 PM (MDT)
Session Topics
Coming soon!
Speaker Lineup
Keynote Speakers
Jennifer Wargo, MD, MMSc | University of Texas, USA
coming soon
Plenary Speakers
Arielle Elkrief, MD, FRCPC | Université de Montréal, Canada
Pablo Romagnoli, PhD | Instituto Universitario de Ciencias Biomédicas de Córdoba, Argentina
Francesca Ronchi, PhD | Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Germany
Luigi Nezi, PhD | Istituto Europeo di Oncologia, Italy
Melody Smith, MD, MS | Stanford Medicine, USA
coming soon
coming soon
coming soon
coming soon
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Registration
Due to venue size restrictions, registration is capped at 175 attendees and is available on a first-come, first-served basis.
Registration will open on April 15, 2026
Early Bird Rates (Apr 15, 2026 – Jul 23, 2026)*
*While tickets last
Students & Postdocs: $500
Academic Faculty & Staff: $600
Industry Members: $700
Prices in Canadian Dollar (CAD)
Regular Rates (Jul 24, 2026 – Sep 21, 2026)*
*While tickets last
Students & Postdocs: $600
Academic Faculty & Staff: $700
Industry Members: $800
Prices in Canadian Dollar (CAD)
What’s Included?
Your registration fee includes access to all talks and sessions, as well as breakfast, lunch + snacks on days 1 & 2 of the symposium, and breakfast + snack on day 3. A cash bar will be available during the poster presentation sessions.
Abstract Submission
If you’d like to present your research at our symposium, we will be selecting abstracts for Short Talk, Flash Talk, and Poster Presentations.
The abstract submission form will be available on April 15, 2026, so check back then!
If you’d like to present your research at the symposium, please follow the instructions below to download the abstract submission form, fill it out, and submit it.
- We are still accepting submissions for late-breaking abstracts for poster presentation!
- Note that registration is not complimentary for presenters and is required in order to attend & present at the symposium.
- Poster dimensions: 115cm x 115 cm (45″ x 45″)
If you’d like to present your research at the symposium, please follow the instructions below to download the abstract submission form, fill it out, and submit it.
- Note that registration is not complimentary for presenters and is required in order to present at the symposium. Our symposium has previously sold out before abstract decisions were made, so make sure you register soon to guarantee a spot.
- If you’re a postdoc or graduate student, don’t forget to check the travel award application box in the abstract submission form!
- Max poster dimensions: 115cm x 115 cm (45″ x 45″)
How to Submit Your Abstract
- Download the abstract submission form here
- Fill out the form. Rename the form “Lastname_Firstname_IMPACTT2026”
- Submit your form by email to [email protected] with the subject line “IMPACTT 2026 Abstract Submission”
Abstract submission deadline: July 23, 2026
We accept late-breaking abstracts for poster presentations. If you’d like to submit an abstract after the deadline, email us at [email protected].
Awards for Presenters
We are excited to announce we have 19 awards for presenters this year – our most ever! You don’t want to miss out – make sure you submit your abstract and register before our deadline on July 23, 2026!
Sponsored Awards
- Travel Award, $500 [Sponsored by the Weston Family Foundation]
- Best Short Talk, $500 [Sponsored by NKP-Isotec]
- Best Flash Talk, $500 [Sponsored by the Rosell® Institute for Microbiome and Probiotics]
- 1st Place Poster Presentation, $500 [Sponsored by Mucosal Immunology]
- 2nd Place Poster Presentation, $250 [Sponsored by Mucosal Immunology]
- 3rd Place Poster Presentation, $100 [Sponsored by Mucosal Immunology]
- Two Peoples’ Choice Awards for Poster Presentations, $200 each [Sponsored by Mucosal Immunology]
- One Peoples’ Choice Award for Flash Talk Presentations, $200 [Sponsored by Mucosal Immunology]
Travel & Accommodation
Malcolm Hotel
We have a room block reserved for attendees on-location at the Malcolm Hotel. Rooms are available on a first-come, first-served basis and rates range from $385 – $465 per night plus taxes/fees.
The room block will be released with instructions on how to book once registration opens. Join our updates list so you don’t miss out!
Malcolm Hotel
We have a room block reserved for attendees on-location at the Malcolm Hotel. Rooms are available on a first-come, first-served basis and rates range from $385 – $465 per night plus taxes/fees.
To book your room, please call 403-812-0680 and quote code “2609IMPA”, or book online following the instructions below:
1. Go to www.malcolmhotel.ca
2. Select your check-in and check-out dates and click “Book Now”. Please note that it may look like all the rooms are sold-out at this stage – this is because the rooms in our room block don’t show up for the general public.
3. Scroll towards the bottom of the page, click on the “Add Code” drop down and select the “Group Attendee” option.
4. Enter the code “2609IMPA” and click “Add”, then click the “Select & Go to the Next Step” button on the resulting popup, and finally click “Update Dates of Stay” at the bottom of the page. This will bring you to a list of available rooms in our room block.
5. Select your preferred room type, then click “Add Room & Checkout”.
6. Enter all information required. A confirmation email will be sent to the email address provided.
*Please note: If some room types are showing up as not available online, please call 403-812-0680 and quote code “2609IMPA” and the hotel will do their best to find you a room or combination of rooms for your stay.
Roommate Finder
We have also launched a roommate finder. If you’re looking to offset accommodation costs and are interested in staying with a roommate at the Malcolm Hotel or another nearby hotel, please fill out your information, including name, email, and check-in/check-out dates.
Please note that this form will not be monitored by symposium organizers, and it will be up to you to contact potential roommates and organize room bookings.
Banff Airporter Shuttle
We’re excited to partner with Banff Airporter, our preferred travel partner, to make your journey from Calgary International Airport to Canmore as smooth as possible. Enjoy 15% off Banff Airporter’s daily shuttle service between the Calgary International Airport (YYC) and the Coast Hotel in Canmore. The Coast Hotel is a short 7 minute walk or a 2 minute cab ride from the Malcolm Hotel.
Promo Code: IMPACTT2026
Valid for travel dates: September 25 – October 2, 2026
To book your shuttle:
- Head to Banff Airporter and click “Book Now”.
- Fill in your travel details.
- When you reach the final payment page, enter the promo code IMPACTT2026 in the “Promo Code?” box and your discount will be applied.
Meet Our Sponsors
Platinum Sponsors
Gold Sponsors
Silver Sponsors
Bronze Sponsor
Organizing Sponsor
