2024 Annual Meeting: Policies and cancellations

General meeting policies

Registration: Individuals must register and pay the appropriate fee(s) in order to attend any portion of the meeting. Violations of this policy will result in removal from the meeting. 

Age limits: Infants and children under the age of 16 are not allowed into educational sessions or the Technical Exhibit Hall. This policy is due to the nature of some presentations and to ensure the safety of registrants’ children. In addition, children should not be left unattended at the meeting. Your support and compliance are appreciated. Violation of these policies could result in revocation of meeting registration and removal from the meeting.

Smoking/e-cigarettes/vaping devices: All AAD educational programs in meeting rooms and seated functions occurring during the meeting are smoke-free including E-cigarettes and vaping devices. Please also comply with the smoking policy of each individual facility.

Alcoholic beverages: The Academy’s official policy regarding the minimum age for alcohol consumption is the age applicable to the jurisdiction of the event venue.

Official language: The official language of the meeting is English.

Firearms: Firearms are not permitted in any portion of the official AAD meeting facilities. 

Session admittance: Sessions that have no fee and do not require a ticket for admittance will be first-come, first-serve for eligible categories.

Photography release: From time to time, the Academy uses photographs and videos of meeting events in its promotional materials. Unless the permission is revoked in writing to the Academy, by virtue of their attendance, all meeting visitors agree to use their likeness in such materials. 

Photography: Conference attendees may take photographs during oral or poster presentations provided that the photographs are strictly for personal, non-commercial use and are not to be published in any form. Attendees are prohibited from using flash photography or otherwise distracting the presenters or members of the audience.

Misuse of name badges: Under no circumstances is an attendee with an individual name badge permitted to give the badge to another individual who is or is not a paid attendee at the meeting. Fraudulently allowing an individual to gain access to educational sessions, social events, and/or exhibits by using another’s credentials is grounds for immediate removal of all parties from the meeting.

Lost & found items: The AAD is not responsible for items lost during the convention, nor is the AAD responsible for returning found items to attendees. 

No handcarts, trolleys, or rolling bags/luggage in the exhibit hall: Please be aware that, for security and safety reasons, no handcarts, trolleys, or rolling bags/luggage are allowed in the Exhibit Hall during show hours. Attendees found on the exhibit floor with these items will be asked to leave the Exhibit Hall. Bags may be stored at the coat/baggage check at the applicable rates.

Under certain circumstances, AAD reserves the right to conduct searches of any large bags entering the meeting space.

View a PDF of conduct expectations at AAD/A meetings and other AAD/A activities.

Registrant data: The Academy is committed to maintaining your confidence and trust, and accordingly, maintains the following privacy policy to protect your membership and/or personal data derived from your use of the Academy meeting registration and housing site and mobile app. The Academy does not rent or otherwise disseminate member or meeting registrant information, including but not limited to email addresses or phone and fax numbers, to other organizations.

Your name, address, phone number (if provided), and email address (if you did not opt out during the registration process), are stored in the QR code on your conference badge. If you allow an exhibitor to scan your badge, you will be releasing your information to that exhibitor. You should consider your name badge QR code as an electronic business card that enables you to easily provide your information to an exhibitor if you choose to do so.

Upon request, the Academy may provide the names and postal mailing addresses of registrants to other not-for-profit organizations whose missions are consistent with the mission of the Academy for a one-time only use. Each mailing is subject to Academy approval.

Confirmed exhibitors with a completed contract will have the opportunity to rent a registrants mailing list containing registrants’ names and addresses. Exhibiting companies affiliated with the meeting who are holding an Industry Expert Session, or an Industry Non-CME (INC) Program, will be provided one mailing list containing the names and addresses of meeting registrants. These companies must sign and agree that the provided listing is for a one-time only use. Each mailing is subject to Academy approval.

The Academy reserves the right to utilize registrants’ data (name, address, and email) for e-mail/marketing communications regarding all Academy-affiliated programs.

Additionally, please review the overall AAD Privacy Policy.

Suitcasing & Outboarding

AAD Suitcasing and Outboarding Policy
“Suitcasing” and “Outboarding” are unethical, parasitic business practices in which non-exhibitor and non-sponsor meeting registrants attempt to gain access to conference attendees either by soliciting business in the convention center or by hosting unauthorized off-site events during AAD Meetings.

AAD exhibitors and sponsors are valued partners in the success of our meetings & conventions. In an effort to protect our partners and their investments in attending the AAD Meetings, AAD Policy strictly prohibits suitcasing and outboarding at AAD Meetings.

What is Suitcasing and Outboarding?
“Suitcasing” refers to those non-exhibitor meeting registrants who attend conferences as a registrant, but solicit business in the exhibit hall, session rooms, the lobby area, and other conference spaces. Examples of this include, but not limited to, the distribution of samples, flyers, and other materials to attendees, as well as conducting surveys of any kind.

“Outboarding” refers to non-participating companies or non-exhibitor meeting registrants that organize unauthorized meetings and events or set up exhibits/demonstration rooms, during AAD, at offsite locations such as hotel hospitality suites or restaurants and invite AAD attendees.

Examples may include but are not limited to:

• A non-exhibitor invites attendees to leave the AAD Meeting to visit a demonstration/hospitality room or unsponsored party at the host hotel or nearby venue.

• A non-exhibitor sends out alerts to potential customers explaining that while their company will not be exhibiting/sponsoring this year, their representatives will be attending the meeting and will be arranging meetings either within the convention center or at an off-site venue or offers show discounts or special pricing.

• A non-exhibitor creates a webpage with the conference logo and solicits meetings with attendees.

• A non-exhibitor piggybacks on the activities of a third party such as a vendor or partner who is exhibiting.

Reporting/Enforcement
Please report any suspected suitcasing/outboarding activity to AAD Management. AAD will investigate all occurrences. Individuals/Companies that violate this policy may be subject to revocation of registration credentials and suspension of future exhibit or registration privileges.

By completing your registration, you agree to the meeting policies and deadline dates provided on the AAD website and the online registration system.