Where the West's independent consultants actually hang out.
CIHS stands for the Consultants and Independents Hospitality Suite, the annual end-of-year bash thrown by independent geoscience consultants.
Thursday, December 10th, 2026 · 6 PM until close
Blind Onion Pizza and Pub, Sparks, NV · Closing night of the AEMA Annual Meeting (December 6–11)
Drinks, refreshments, and snacks are on the CIHS, free of charge. Pizza and food are on your own from the Blind Onion's front counter.
The CIHS party is its own independent event, not an AEMA function, though it takes place the same week as the American Exploration & Mining Association (AEMA) Annual Meeting. It's a separate gathering of independents and consultants that started 41 years ago as a thank-you to clients and is now an active group of younger and veteran members.
An infamous celebration of the cadre of independent geoscience consultants operating in the USA, hosting THE annual party for the 41st year!
Join us Thursday, December 10th, 2026, the closing night of the AEMA Annual Meeting (December 6–11, Nugget Casino Resort, Sparks, Nevada). Come thank the individual sponsors (eight member bios below) in person!
The party will be at the Blind Onion Pizza and Pub, 834 Victorian Ave #5077, Sparks, NV 89431, a short walk from the Nugget, from 6 PM until close (or until we run out of drinks). Please wear your AEMA badge. The CIHS party (beer, wine, mixed drinks, and laughter) is hosted in a private room in the back; guests are welcome to order food from the front of the house at their own expense.
