IFD&TC
International Field Directors and Technologies Conference
Time/Date
9:00am-10:15am on Tuesday, 4/21/2026
Location
Newport/Washington
Facilitator
Morgan Kidd, East Tennessee State University
Join us to learn about new and upcoming USPS, UPS, & FedEx innovations in a world overflowing with digital surveys. There will be a short presentation, followed by an open floor for questions and discussion.
Time/Date
9:00am-10:15am on Tuesday, 4/21/2026
Location
Providence I & IV
Facilitator
Renee Kotch, Penn State Survey Research Center
This session will provide a ground level look at different approaches to build strong training programs and reduce trainee burden and costs.
Time/Date
2:45pm-4:00pm on Sunday, 5/24/2020
Facilitator
TBA
Time/Date
2:45pm-4:00pm on Sunday, 5/24/2020
Facilitator
TBA
Time/Date
2:45pm-4:00pm on Sunday, 5/24/2020
Facilitator
TBA
Time/Date
10:15am-11:15am on Wednesday, 6/28/2023
Location
Bixby 1, 2 & 3
Facilitator
TBA
Join us for this interactive session as we put our heads together to solve your survey problems. All conference attendees will be able to anonymously submit a problem they are facing in advance. Session attendees will be divided into groups and asked to deliberate on these problems and present their solutions. We'll also include some special surprises along the way!
Submit your problem: https://go.iu.edu/4OcY
Time/Date
9:45am-10:15am on Wednesday, 6/28/2023
Location
Outside Bixby 1, 2 & 3
Refreshments served
Time/Date
8:30am-9:45am on Wednesday, 6/28/2023
Location
Nieto
Facilitator
TBA
During this roundtable discussion, small shops are invited to share the tools and tech that aide in their own operations, while also learning about new tools and tech used by other shops.
Time/Date
8:30am-9:45am on Wednesday, 6/28/2023
Location
Broadlind Ballroom
Facilitator
TBA
Presenters will share valuable insights regarding the use of mail for increasing response rates, creating strong first impressions, dealing with nonresponse, and facilitating quality assurance.
Time/Date
8:30am-9:45am on Wednesday, 6/28/2023
Location
Wilmore
Facilitator
TBA
Attendees will discuss the challenges and successes of building a statewide probability panel
Time/Date
8:30am-9:45am on Wednesday, 6/28/2023
Location
Pike 3
Facilitator
TBA
Presenters will discuss strategies to increase response rates and address nonresponse. Topics addressed will include contact strategies using email, using interactive tracing, GPS coordinate gathering, and CAWI instrument techniques to supplement CATI, and obstacles to respondent participation in web-based surveys.
Time/Date
7:00am-8:30am on Wednesday, 6/28/2023
Location
Bixby 4 & 5
Buffet breakfast served
Time/Date
4:45pm-6:00pm on Tuesday, 4/21/2026
Location
Bristol/Kent
Put your knowledge to the test with our Jeopardy-style challenge! Compete with fellow attendees as you answer questions across a range of topics related to our field, the conference themes, and a few fun surprises along the way. Whether you're aiming for bragging rights or just looking to learn something new, this interactive session is a great way to connect, collaborate, and have a little friendly competition.
Special celebrity host: Alex Trebek Mayim Bialik Ken Jennings Rick Garvey!
Time/Date
3:15pm-4:30pm on Tuesday, 4/21/2026
Location
Newport/Washington
Facilitator
Kenneth Pick, U.S. Energy Information Administration
This session is designed for researchers, statisticians, and survey methodologists interested in leveraging cutting-edge AI tools to streamline processes and enhance operational efficiency. By showcasing real-world applications and discussing future possibilities, this session aims to inspire attendees to harness the full potential of AI in the survey research process.
Time/Date
3:15pm-4:30pm on Tuesday, 4/21/2026
Location
Providence II & III
Facilitator
Heather Morrison, Decision Information Resources, Inc
Industry leaders will discuss how they develop specialized training methods for non-conventional data collection, assess training quality, and prepare interviewers for stressful conflict situations.
Time/Date
3:15pm-4:30pm on Tuesday, 4/21/2026
Location
Providence I & IV
Facilitator
Jennifer Draude , NORC at the University of Chicago
Presenters will discuss key methods for sample management and panel engagement, as well as how to encourage longitudinal participation among businesses and institutions.
Time/Date
3:15pm-4:30pm on Tuesday, 4/21/2026
Location
Bristol/Kent
Facilitator
Victoria Vignare, Westat
Panel members will discuss strategies, challenges, and lessons learned developing relationships that are vital to effective recruitment and quality data collection.
Time/Date
2:45pm-3:15pm on Tuesday, 4/21/2026
Location
South County
Refreshments served
Time/Date
1:30pm-2:45pm on Tuesday, 4/21/2026
Location
Providence II & III
Facilitator
Eric White, University of Wisconsin Survey Center
This session delves into the performance of multi-mode surveys, the development of Custom CATI solutions, advancements in CAVI, and key lessons learned throughout these initiatives.
Time/Date
1:30pm-2:45pm on Tuesday, 4/21/2026
Location
Newport/Washington
Facilitator
Mangal Subramanian, Westat
Presentations in this session provide perspectives on improving automated detection of distress in open-ended surveys and strategies for strengthening data quality in open-link web surveys.
Time/Date
1:30pm-2:45pm on Tuesday, 4/21/2026
Location
Bristol/Kent
Facilitator
Kyle Fennell, NORC at the University of Chicago
This session will explore the effectiveness of multiple outreach modes, as well as first had experiences with the modernization of longstanding surveys.
Time/Date
1:30pm-2:45pm on Tuesday, 4/21/2026
Location
Providence I & IV
Facilitator
Rachel Huang, U.S. Census Bureau
Survey burden and burnout is a growing problem for the digital community. Presentations in this session will provide insights on respondent survey participation and share strategies aimed to increase response rates in an overburdened population.
Time/Date
12:00pm-1:00pm on Tuesday, 4/21/2026
Location
Narragansett A
Attendees are seated at randomly-assigned tables, as listed on your name tag. RDD lunch is a fun way to meet and get to know other attendees!
Time/Date
10:45am-12:00pm on Tuesday, 4/21/2026
Location
Newport/Washington
Facilitator
Chris Schlapper, University of Wisconsin Survey Center
This session is dedicated to discussions about optimizing field operations, enhancing reporting, and monitoring data quality.
Time/Date
10:45am-12:00pm on Tuesday, 4/21/2026
Location
Providence I & IV
Facilitator
Rick Garvey, RAND Survey Research Group
This session will explore various challenges of longitudinal studies and how the presenters developed strategies to address these challenges in their studies. Projects include The National Social Life, Health, and Aging Project, The National Longitudinal Study of the High School Class of 1972, and The Milwaukee Area Finances Study.
Time/Date
10:45am-12:00pm on Tuesday, 4/21/2026
Location
Bristol/Kent
Facilitator
Steve Coombs, University of Wisconsin Survey Center
This session will start with a presentation focused on using monetary vs. food incentives for medical office administrators in health departments and clinics in South Carolina and Alabama. Then the audience will hear a presentation about the use of non-monetary incentives for the Wisconsin Longitudinal Study. The session will then transition into a panel where members from University of Wisconsin, University of Michigan, East Tennessee State University and NORC will discuss more generally their experiences using non-monetary incentives in survey research. Session attendees will have an opportunity for questions and discussion.
Presentations:
Utilizing Food-Based Incentives: Logistics, Challenges, and Lessons
Time/Date
10:15am-10:45am on Tuesday, 4/21/2026
Location
South County
Refreshments served
Time/Date
7:00am-8:30am on Tuesday, 4/21/2026
Location
Narragansett A
Time/Date
4:45pm-5:45pm on Monday, 4/20/2026
Location
Bristol/Kent
Facilitator
Kevin Tharp, Indiana University Center for Survey Research
The Business Meeting is where we discuss the future of the IFD&. Everyone is encouraged to attend; we welcome participation from first-year attendees too! Hear from your 2026 conference organizers:
Time/Date
3:15pm-4:30pm on Monday, 4/20/2026
Location
Providence II & III
Facilitator
Thom Allen, Washington State University - Social and Economic Sciences Research Center
Join attendees with an interest in the technical aspects of survey research for a special roundtable discussion. The open format allows for a range of soft tech management topics and current events impacting survey center technical operations. Everyone is welcome, both techies and "fieldies"!
Time/Date
3:15pm-4:30pm on Monday, 4/20/2026
Location
Bristol/Kent
Facilitator
Kelly Elver, University of Wisconsin Survey Center
Gaining respondent trust, cooperation, and consent when collecting biologic-specimens in vulnerable populations. In addition, presenters will discuss their experience engaging with IRBs on these types of protocols.
Time/Date
3:15pm-4:30pm on Monday, 4/20/2026
Location
Newport/Washington
Facilitator
Rod Muilenburg, University of Northern Iowa Center for Social and Behavioral Research
Do you work in a small shop? Come discuss problems you face and solutions you've implemented given constraints in terms of size, budget, and organizational context. This roundtable will facilitate networking, sharing of ideas, and adapting to ensure that your small shop prospers.
Time/Date
2:45pm-3:15pm on Monday, 4/20/2026
Location
South County
Join us for the first-ever IFDTC Poster Session! Refreshments will also be available.
Facilitator: Marie Nitschke, University of Wisconsin Survey Center
Time/Date
1:30pm-2:45pm on Monday, 4/20/2026
Location
Newport/Washington
Facilitator
Matt Virgile, U.S. Census Bureau
This session is dedicated to enhancing case management systems, prioritizing field cases effectively, and addressing challenges and limitations associated with Voxco.
Time/Date
1:30pm-2:45pm on Monday, 4/20/2026
Location
Providence I & IV
Facilitator
LeeAnn Sell, Indiana University Center for Survey Research
Learn how leaders like CDC, University of Michigan and Westat recruit, retain, and support their interviewers in a changing environment of work expectations post-COVID.
Time/Date
1:30pm-2:45pm on Monday, 4/20/2026
Location
Bristol/Kent
Facilitator
Ella Kemp, NORC at the University of Chicago
Researchers at NORC will share best practices, lessons learned, and training approaches for in-person data collection. The purpose of this panel will be to discuss the innovations, benefits, and tradeoffs that four NORC projects experienced as they incorporated remote trainings for in-person data collection efforts.
Time/Date
12:00pm-1:00pm on Monday, 4/20/2026
Location
Narragansett A
Attendees are seated at randomly-assigned tables, as listed on your name tag. RDD lunch is a fun way to meet and get to know other attendees!
Time/Date
10:45am-12:00pm on Monday, 4/20/2026
Location
Providence II & III
Facilitator
Michele Pennington, RTI International
These presentations delve into utilizing artificial intelligence for tasks such as case review, collecting industry classification data, and conducting phone-based interview assessments.
Time/Date
10:45am-12:00pm on Monday, 4/20/2026
Location
Newport/Washington
Facilitator
Susan Genoversa, Westat
This series of presentations explores the automation of status monitoring, reporting processes, data ingestion, and the migration to cloud-based infrastructure.
Time/Date
10:45am-12:00pm on Monday, 4/20/2026
Location
Providence I & IV
Facilitator
Bianca DiJulio, Kaiser Permanente Washington Health Research Institute
Presenters will discuss the impact of incentives and web modalities on early survey completions and how to modify subsequent contacts with respondents. This includes case studies from the Current Population Survey (CPS) and other important surveys. Presenters will also discuss how statewide educational data can mask barriers and outcomes for minority populations.
Time/Date
10:45am-12:00pm on Monday, 4/20/2026
Location
Bristol/Kent
Facilitator
Michelle Rogers, Brown University School of Public Health
Panelists will discuss lessons learned in participant recruitment, verification, and engagement and how study design can impact data quality. Topics include postpartum mental health, cannabis use during pregnancy and breastfeeding, and alcohol use.
Time/Date
10:15am-10:45am on Monday, 4/20/2026
Location
Narragansett Lobby
Refreshments served
Time/Date
8:00am-8:30am on Sunday, 4/20/2025
Facilitator
TBA
All attendees facilitating a session at the conference are asked to attend a half hour breakfast meeting to go over guidelines and answer questions. If you've been a facilitator before, please come share your experiences with newer facilitators. If this is your first time, join us to meet others, and learn more about how facilitating works at IFD&TC.
Time/Date
7:00am-8:30am on Monday, 4/20/2026
If you arrive late to the conference, you can check in at the IFD&TC registration table.
Time/Date
7:00am-8:30am on Monday, 4/20/2026
Location
Narragansett A
Time/Date
4:30pm-6:00pm on Sunday, 4/19/2026
Location
Narragansett Pre-Function
IFD&TC organizers welcome you to the conference.
Please join us for a happy hour reception featuring light snacks, a cash bar, and an informal time to visit with old and new friends. Dinner is on your own after the reception.Time/Date
12:00pm-7:00pm on Sunday, 4/19/2026
Location
Narragansett Lobby
Stop by the IFDTC registration table to pick up your conference materials. Late check-in is also available Monday morning before the Keynote.
Time/Date
9:00am-10:15am on Monday, 4/20/2026
Location
Narragansett B&C
Facilitator
Tim Olson, U.S. Census Bureau
Ron S. Jarmin is an accomplished economist and statistician who has served as the Deputy Director and Chief Operating Officer of the U.S. Census Bureau. He has held various positions within the Census Bureau, including Chief of the Census for Economic Studies, Chief Economist, and Associate Director for Economic Programs.
Dr. Jarmin has been instrumental in modernizing the Census Bureau's operations, including the introduction of internet response for the 2020 Census and the transition to 100 percent internet data collection for the Economic Census. He has also led research programs aimed at improving economic and social measurements within the federal statistical system. Jarmin holds a Ph.D. in economics from the University of Oregon and has published extensively in the fields of industrial organization, business dynamics, entrepreneurship, technology and firm performance, urban economics, data access, and statistical disclosure avoidance.
