2012 Annual Meeting — FAQ
Q. When will registration open for the 2012 ARRS Annual Meeting?
A. Registration opens December 15, 2011.
Q. Where will the meeting be held?
A. The meeting will primarily be held at the Vancouver Convention and Exhibition Centre, East Building with some meeting space also used in the attached Pan Pacific Vancouver Hotel.
Q. How do I register?
A. There are three easy ways to register:
1. Online registration is available at www.arrs.org.
2. Fax the registration form to ARRS at 703-729-4839.
3. Mail the registration form to ARRS at PO Box 418863, Boston, MA 02125-8863.
Q. What is the registration deadline?
A. To pre-register for the meeting, registration materials must be received in the office at the ARRS headquarters by Friday, March 30, 2012. Early registration is strongly suggested as course enrollment is limited. Registrations are processed in the order they are received. To obtain the best registration rates, plan to register by the early bird deadline of Friday, February 17, 2012. You must be registered for the meeting in order to make hotel reservations in the ARRS room block.
Q. How do I register after the pre-registration deadline, Friday, March 30, 2012?
A. After March 30, registrations will only be accepted at the ARRS registration desk at the Vancouver Convention and Exhibition Centre, East Building. On-site registration will be open from 1:00 PM Saturday, April 28, through 1:00 PM Friday, May 4.
Q. What does the general registration fee include?
A. The ARRS 2012 Annual Meeting offers more than 50 CME credit opportunities with specialty-focused instructional courses, scientific sessions, planned SAM courses, power hours, and several half-day courses including a radiation dose reduction symposium. The meeting includes a designated area to view electronic exhibits with many offering additional CME credits, a commercial exhibit hall with vendors ready to showcase their products and services, a daily case challenge, and a Global Exchange featuring Japan. Attendees are provided complimentary lunch Monday April 30-Wednesday, May 2 and have access to the ARRS Internet Cafe.
Q. Do I need to register guests for the meeting? What does the guest fee include?
A. Yes, the fee is $95 USD per guest and provides entrance to the commercial exhibit hall including lunches (Monday-Wednesday) as well as all beverage breaks throughout the week. Guests are not allowed entry to the educational courses including the fee-based categorical course and the case-based imaging review course nor are they allowed in the electronic exhibits area. Guests are not eligible to claim CME or SAM credit and do not receive any educational materials. Individuals eligible for ARRS membership may not register as guests and must pay the general registration fee.
Q. Will I receive a registration confirmation?
A. Registration confirmations are emailed to registrants. It is important to provide your email address with your registration materials to ensure receipt of your confirmation and any updates regarding the meeting. Make sure the email address provided is set up to accept messages from the ARRS so your annual meeting communications do not go to a SPAM or junk mail folder or are blocked entirely.
Q. What is the cancellation policy?
A. Written requests for cancellation may be received by email at meeting@arrs.org; fax at 703-729-4839, or mail to: ARRS, 44211 Slatestone Court, Leesburg, VA 20176-5109. Written requests for refunds received prior to March 30, 2012, will be processed after the meeting minus a $100 USD non-refundable cancellation fee. After March 30, 2012, cancellations will be processed but refunds will not be issued for any reason. Cancellations will not be accepted by telephone. Refund requests of the $100 USD non-refundable cancellation fee will not be considered regardless of the registration category, amount paid or when requested. A submitted registration form online, by fax, or mail serves as acknowledgement, acceptance, and agreement of these cancellation policies.
Q. What is the Categorical Course?
A. This three-day intensive course focused on Pitfalls in Clinical Imaging is scheduled Sunday, April 29–Tuesday, May 1. This course is not included in the general registration fee. ARRS members pay an additional fee of $180 USD and nonmembers pay an additional fee of $260 USD. Registration of the categorical course requires payment of the general registration fee. Participants will receive a printed categorical course syllabus as part of their educational materials. CME may not be claimed for this course if an individual has not registered and paid the additional fee. Only those registered for this course will be allowed entry.
Q. What is the Case-Based Imaging Review?
A. This four-day comprehensive review course designed for residents preparing to enter practice as well as those in practice who are interested in a focused review using case-based approach to imaging differential diagnosis. Scheduled Tuesday, May 1–Friday, May 4, this course is not included in the general registration fee. ARRS members pay an additional fee of $180 USD and nonmembers pay an additional fee of $260 USD. ARRS members in-training (residents and fellows) pay an additional fee of $95 USD. Registration for the case-based imaging review course requires payment of the general registration fee. Participants will receive a printed workbook as part of their educational materials. CME may not be claimed for this course if an individual has not registered and paid the additional fee. Only those registered for this course will be allowed entry.
Q. What is a Power Hour, Instructional Course, Scientific Session?
A. Power Hours feature oral presentations by electronic exhibit authors regarding accepted abstracts. Instructional Courses (IC) provide current information on a specific topic. Scientific Sessions (SS) feature oral presentations of accepted abstracts that highlight the latest research.
Q. What type of educational credit is offered?
A. ARRS is accredited by the ACCME to sponsor CME. For those practicing outside of the United States, please note the following:
Australia/New Zealand-The ARRS is an authorized CPD provider for imaging conferences.
Canada-CPD activities developed by accredited CPD physician organizations recognized by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medicine Education are deemed to be Accredited Group Learning Activities (Section1) as defined by the Maintenance of Certification Program of The Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada.
Europe-The American Medical Association has determined physicians not licensed in the United States who participate in ARRS educational activities are eligible for AMA PRA Category 1 CreditsTM.
The ARRS also plans to offer several American Board of Radiology (ABR) approved SAMs throughout the week. The ARRS does not provide CE credit for this meeting.
Q. How do I request Proof of Attendance?
A. During the annual meeting, you may request a Proof of Attendance form from ARRS staff at on-site registration.
Q. Can I become an ARRS member to take advantage of registration savings?
A. Absolutely! If you plan to attend the 2012 annual meeting, apply for membership at the same time that you submit your annual meeting registration form to ensure your membership status is confirmed and you receive the membership registration discount. To apply for membership:
- Apply Online: Go to www.arrs.org and click on Membership. Be sure to indicate on the online form that you plan to attend the 2012 annual meeting and fax your annual meeting registration form indicating you have applied for membership online to the ARRS at 703-729-4839 after submitting your online membership application.
- Download Application: Go to www.arrs.org and click on Membership. Send the completed application with your annual meeting registration form by fax to 703-729-4839 or mail both documents to: ARRS, 44211 Slatestone Court, Leesburg, VA 20176-5109.
Q. How do I make my hotel reservation?
A. The ARRS has several hotels in its block. In order to make a reservation at the special ARRS rate, you must first register for the annual meeting. You will then be provided information to make your hotel reservation by email confirmation.
Q. What do you recommend for those traveling to the meeting from outside Canada?
A. For information regarding visas and entry requirements for Canada, please refer to www.cic.gc.ca. If you require a letter of invitation from the ARRS for visa purposes, go to the annual meeting section of www.arrs.org to create a personalized letter or email meeting@arrs.org. Additional information may be found at http://www.tourismvancouver.com/vistors/vancouver/travel_tips/travel_tips.
Q. What phone number should I call if I have additional questions?
A. Call toll free 866-940-2777 (United States or Canada) or 703-729-3353.