Policies & Guidelines

Official Language

The official language at the ASLMS Annual Conference is English. No simultaneous translation is available.

Copyright

All of the proceedings of the Conference, including the presentation of scientific papers, are intended solely for the benefit of the members of ASLMS. No statement of presentation made is to be regarded as dedicated to the public domain. Any statement or presentation is to be regarded as limited publication only and all property rights in the material presented, including common law copyright, are expressly reserved to the speaker or to ASLMS. Any sound reproduction, transcript or other use of the material presented at the Annual Conference without the permission of the speaker or ASLMS is prohibited to the full extent of common law copyright in such material.

Disclaimer

The views expressed and materials presented throughout the Annual Conference during educational sessions represent the personal views of the individual participants and do not represent the opinion of ASLMS. This organization assumes no responsibility for the content of the presentations made by an individual or group of participants.

Disclosure of Faculty and Speaker Commercial Relationship(s)

The American Society for Laser Medicine and Surgery (ASLMS) is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) to provide continuing medical education for physicians.  As such, we have made the choice to meet ACCME’s criteria and practices for continuing medical education and have implemented a Policy on Mechanism to Identify Financial Relationships and Resolve Conflict of Interest where everyone who is in a position to control the content of an educational activity must complete a Disclosure of Financial Relationships with Commercial Interests form and disclose all financial relationships with any commercial interest they and their spouse/partner may have received within the last 12 months.  Should it be determined that a conflict of interest (COI) exists as a result of a relevant financial relationship, it must be resolved prior to the individuals’ involvement in a CME activity.  In order to do this, all presenters must submit for review any content intended for presentation. Individuals, who refuse to disclose all financial relationships or submit presentation materials, will be disqualified from being a part of the planning and implementation of the CME activity.  In addition to providing written disclosure, presenters must verbally disclose all financial relationships and verbally indicate if the content of their presentation relates to any proprietary interest, or whether it describes any off-label uses of drugs, instruments or devices, and whether drugs, instruments, or devices discussed are FDA approved prior to their presentation.  Disclosure information is provided to learners via online posting, printed listing in the final program and/or accessible electronic link posted within the mobile app program. 

Discrimination Policy

ASLMS does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, age, disability, or sexual orientation in any aspect of its operations, including, but not limited to, the provision of services, membership on the Society’s governing board or committees, membership in the Society, attendance at or participation in the Society’s programs, grant selection, meetings, and events.

Educational Session Handouts

In an effort to be environmentally conscious and to embrace technological advancement, ASLMS will not provide print/hard copy handouts for any educational sessions. Handouts will be available to registered attendees via the ASLMS mobile app prior to the Conference. Search for ASLMS in the Apple App or Google Play stores, or go to https://aslms.gatherdigital.com/ for Blackberry, Windows, or your computer. Attendees may choose to access the links to view handouts electronically or print materials on their own prior to the Conference. A printed/hard copy of the Conference program with limited content will be available at the Conference registration desk for registered attendees. We strongly encourage the use of the mobile app as it contains full program content.

Personal Information Made Available Through Lead Retrieval System

The name badges given to Conference attendees have a barcode that is tied to the ASLMS registration database.  When you allow an exhibitor to scan your badge, the personal information you shared when registering will be available to the exhibitor and may be used to contact you after the Conference.  The personal information that becomes available upon scanning includes your name, title, e-mail address, employer name, work address and telephone number. If you do not want your personal information shared, please do not allow your badge to be scanned by exhibitors. The American Society for Laser Medicine and Surgery (“ASLMS”) respects the privacy of its members and other visitors to its website (“Site”). You may view our complete privacy policy on our website. 

Personal Information Made Available Via Attendee Mailing Lists

Exhibitors may request either the pre- or post-conference attendee mailing list for one-time use at no charge. The lists include only the mailing address for United States attendees and international attendees that opt in during the registration process to share their mailing address. The lists do not include email addresses or phone numbers. The American Society for Laser Medicine and Surgery (“ASLMS”) respects the privacy of its members and other visitors to its website (“Site”). You may view our complete privacy policy on our website. You may contact us at any time to have your information removed from the attendee mailing lists. 

Internet

Free wireless internet service will be available throughout the ASLMS Conference. This service is designed for use by registered attendees for the mobile app functions and not guaranteed.

Literature/Photography/Videotaping Policy

NO literature can be distributed during scientific sessions. NO photography or videotaping is permitted in educational sessions or the Exhibit Hall.

ASLMS reserves the right to take photos/videos at the Annual Conference and to publish them in ASLMS marketing materials. Your attendance and registration authorizes ASLMS to publish photos/videos in our publications, marketing materials and on our website. If your photo/video appears on the website or in a publication, and you prefer that we discontinue using the material, please contact our office at information@aslms.org

Research Education Fund Ribbons and Pins

ASLMS sincerely appreciates member contributions to research. During the Conference, we acknowledge members contributing to the ASLMS Research Fund with ribbons and those contributing to the Advancement of Laser Medicine Endowment Fund with ribbons and pins.

Complimentary Continental Breakfasts/Breaks

Complimentary continental breakfasts and breaks will be provided to course attendees and Conference attendees, Wednesday through Sunday.

Disaster Policy

In the event of an emergency situation during the Annual Conference, information will be posted on the Society’s website, or via notification through the ASLMS mobile app.

Smoking

It is a policy of ASLMS and the facility that all areas of the Convention Center and Exhibit Hall (including setup and dismantle of exhibits) are a smoke-free environment. Thank you for not smoking.

Responsible Drinking Policy

When alcohol is served during Conference receptions, ASLMS encourages responsible drinking. Non-alcoholic options are provided on a complimentary basis and drink tickets may be required for alcoholic beverages. Alcohol is not served to anyone under age 21. Attendees may be asked to present their ID.

Childcare Services

Children under the age of 18 are not permitted in the Exhibit Hall or educational sessions. Attending parents are responsible for arranging their own childcare if needed. Please contact the hotel concierge for recommended childcare services.

Press

Press materials are available to media online. Please contact Andrea Alstad, Marketing and Communications Manager, via email at andrea@aslms.org or by phone 715-845-9283, with media inquiries. Andrea will be available throughout the Conference to offer additional information or to arrange interviews. Members of the press are invited to all courses and sessions; however, they must adhere to the guidelines below:

• Members of the press must register and wear badges identifying them as media representatives.
• Media representatives are required to schedule interviews with speakers through the Society’s Marketing and Communications Manager, Andrea Alstad at andrea@aslms.org or 715-845-9283.
• Members of the press are not permitted to ask questions at the microphones or via the mobile app during an educational session.
• NO photography or videotaping is permitted in educational sessions or the exhibit hall.

For information on how to register for the conference, please review the press credentials and guidelines page.