The NAS member joins MPGI faculty for dinner the evening before the seminar; the next day, faculty and their project members join the visitor for discussions. After presenting a research seminar, the invitee meets privately with graduate students and postdoctoral associates to discuss the pros and cons of an academic career, integrity in research, and related issues.  The events take place in the Cargill Building for Microbial and Plant Genomics.

Periodically, MPGI faculty are asked to identify eminent scientists to invite as speakers, but they may suggest extending an invitation to a distinguished researcher at anytime. The steering committee makes the final selection of speakers for the year, and those remaining on the list are nominees for the following year.