In the second week of July, I had the pleasure of attending the BES Macro SIG 2024 in Cardiff, Wales. Although this wasn’t my first BES Macro event, it was the first one I attended in person. The only prior time I had participated in this conference was during COVID-19, which made it a virtual experience. Even then, I sensed that BES Macro had a unique atmosphere compared to other large conferences I had attended. The organizers were exceptionally welcoming, and the usual anxiety I felt during such events was notably reduced. Don’t get me wrong, this ease wasn’t because the conference wasn’t important enough in its field, quite the opposite. On the first day of this year’s conference, I heard something that perfectly captured the essence of BES Macro: it is a “formally informal” event. While it is a proper scientific meeting where you expose your work and are questioned about the validity of your results, it feels like everyone is there to enjoy science and encourage one another to pursue this field.

            If you find yourself uneasy at large conferences and struggling to present in front of big crowds, attending a BES Macro event might be just what you need. As a first-year PhD student from Brazil, I was already on edge traveling to Scotland to work on my thesis just before the conference. By the time BES Macro began, I had been traveling for over 24 hours, marking my first international conference, my first solo journey, and my first trip abroad. Understandably, I was quite nervous. I admit, when I heard there would be 94 people attending in person, I seriously considered cancelling my presentation. However, I’m so glad I didn’t. The experience was incredible, and I have no regrets about making that decision. The supportive and encouraging atmosphere of BES Macro made the experience far more comfortable and rewarding than I had anticipated.

Upon arriving in Cardiff, I quickly realized another challenge awaited me. Although I’m fluent in English, the Welsh accent made me question everything I thought I knew about the language. Conversations with the taxi driver and restaurant staff required me to concentrate much harder to understand them. However, once I entered the conference, I found that most people were incredibly accommodating. Far from making me feel self-conscious about my language skills, most of the attendees were genuinely enthusiastic about having international participants. Their warm reception and eagerness to engage made my experience all the more enjoyable.

            As an early-career scientist, my experience at the conference was both enlightening and inspiring. Most of the studies presented were from advanced PhD students or established professionals, which provided me with valuable insights and a fresh perspective on my own research. The conference served as a perfect platform for me to reflect on my future work and to draw inspiration from the impressive results shared by others. The experience extended beyond the auditorium, with the poster session offering a great opportunity to engage in ongoing research and emerging studies from around the globe. Engaging in discussions about macroecology, a field rich with diverse and fascinating topics, made the entire experience even more captivating.

            The BES Macro team went above and beyond to create a welcoming environment throughout the conference. From the meticulously organized workshops to the engaging social events, every detail was thoughtfully planned to promote interaction and inclusivity among attendees. This emphasis on community-building and integration helped make the conference not just a place to present research, but a space to connect and collaborate with others in the field. These efforts contribute significantly to the sense of belonging and enthusiasm that many people feel about returning to BES Macro year after year. The relationships and connections made at BES Macro often become a lasting part of participants’ professional lives, reinforcing the conference’s role as a cherished and integral part of the macroecology landscape.