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.
Planner and Speaker Disclosures
The American Society for Laser Medicine and Surgery, Inc. (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. The ASLMS has implemented a process that requires everyone who is in a position to control the content of an accredited CME activity disclose to us all financial relationships with any commercial interest that they and their spouse/partner may have received within the last 12 months, not just those relevant to the activity being developed. Planners of and speakers within CME activities must not be employees or owners of an ACCME defined commercial interest (any entity producing, marketing, re-selling, or distributing health care goods or services consumed by, or used on, patients).
Prior to their presentation, speakers must verbally indicate relevant disclosures and 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.
If any additional financial relationships develop between the time the disclosure form is completed and the CME activity, the ASLMS requires an individual notify the CME Provider Unit in writing to disclose the additional financial relationship(s). Individuals who refuse to disclose will be disqualified from being a part of the planning and/or implementation of the CME activity. For more information, please see the ASLMS Mechanism to Identify Financial Relationships and Resolve Conflict of Interest.
Discrimination Policy
ASLMS does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, age, disability, sex, 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.
Harassment
ASLMS is committed to maintaining environments for members, employees, attendees, vendors, and others which are free from harassment of any type, including but not limited to sexual harassment, physical harassment, and bullying behavior. Sexual harassment is a violation of federal and state laws, and consists of unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and other types of verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature, regardless of the gender of the harasser or the victim. Other prohibited acts of harassment include but are not limited to intimidating, hostile, obscene, offensive, abusive, or threatening behavior, whether physical or non-physical; epithets, slurs, or negative stereotyping; denigrating jokes; gestures; and written or graphic material, however transmitted, which denigrates or shows hostility or aversion toward an individual or group.
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. 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. 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 is not guaranteed.
Literature/Photography/Videotaping Policy
NO literature can be distributed during scientific sessions. ASLMS does not partner with or promote for-profit organizations or events. Any literature distributed at the conference, which promotes for-profit organizations or events, will be collected and discarded.
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.