2008 National STD Prevention Conference

Media Information and Policies

Dear Media Colleague:

We are pleased to invite you to the 2008 National STD Prevention Conference, taking place at the Hilton Chicago in Chicago, Illinois, March 10-13, 2008. 

Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) pose a serious threat to the health and well-being of millions of Americans every year. The 2008 National STD Prevention Conference, held biennially, is the only major U.S. conference that focuses exclusively on advances in halting the spread of these serious diseases.

At this event, community, academic, government and medical experts will present hundreds of studies on innovative strategies to reduce the public health and economic impact of STDs.

Registration:

Credentialed journalists – those employed by accredited news organizations and attending the conference for the purpose of editorial coverage – are invited to pre-register for this conference free of charge. To register as media for the conference, complete a media registration form and send it to us as soon as possible.  Email and fax information is listed on the registration form. Note that the conference reserves the right to request additional information to verify credentials.    

Media are invited to all official conference program activities. On-site check-in and registration for media will begin 9:00 a.m. on Monday, March 10, 2008. Media unable to attend may request press materials by contacting the 2008 National STD Prevention Conference toll-free media information line, at 1-866-584-5030. 

Eligibility:

To register as a media participant for the conference, proof of accreditation is required. This accreditation may take the form of a photocopy of official press credentials or a letter from your editor verifying assignment to the conference on the stationery of the media organization for which you work.

A maximum of two representatives from a media organization (not per publication, in the case of organizations that publish multiple newsletters), whether they are employed by the organization or freelancing, will be approved for media registration.

Freelance journalists wishing to cover the conference must submit copies of three bylined health articles in addition to an official letter of assignment.

Newsletter writers and editors must submit three issues of their newsletter containing at least one bylined health article from the applicant.

Reporters from online publications that meet the below criteria are eligible to register:

• The Web site must provide original, editorial news coverage
• Editorial content must be independent of advertising and sponsorship (if the Web site is sponsored, the site must have multiple sponsors, and all sponsors must be clearly identified as such on the Web site)
• The site and its content must be overseen by an editorial advisory board
• Personal Web sites do not qualify for media registration
• Online media are not considered separate from their parent media companies for purposes of media registration

News Media Policies:

• Media identification. Registered media are required to wear their media badges at all times while on site at the conference. 
• Embargo policy.  Studies are embargoed until the date and start time of the scientific presentation or poster session, with the following exception: unless otherwise noted by conference organizers, studies highlighted in press conferences are embargoed until the date and start time of the press conference, or the date and start time of the presentation.  
• Press conferences.  Please look for future updates on the content, timing and location of official conference press briefings. Media unable to attend the briefings in person will be able to participate by phone. 
  
  The conference will not be able to accommodate requests for space for third-party press conferences at the conference venue.
• Interview requests.  2008 National STD Prevention Conference media center personnel will make every effort to assist you in arranging interviews with presenters or other spokespersons. Please do not hesitate to ask media center staff for assistance.
• Video and Photography.  Videotaping is restricted to registered, accredited, broadcast news media and will not be permitted without express advance authorization from conference media personnel. If approved, members of the press may videotape during press briefings in designated interview rooms and in conference common areas, provided that video crews are accompanied by a conference media team staff member.   Filming will be limited, based on availability of a staff escort. Non-flash photography and audio recording of the scientific sessions is permissible for personal and non-commercial use only, provided it is not disruptive to the session proceedings.
  
  Any requests for videotaping of conference proceedings beyond this policy must be submitted to conference organizers in writing by Monday, February 25, and will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

Press releases: 

Limited space will be available in the press room for organizations that sponsor special sessions or present data at the 2008 National STD Prevention Conference to display press releases and media materials related to their official conference activities.

• References to the conference.  When referring to the conference in your coverage, please use the full name of the conference – 2008 National STD Prevention Conference. You may wish to include some of the following language to describe the event in your materials:
  
  The 2008 National STD Prevention Conference, convened by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and other leading public and private STD agencies, is taking place in Chicago, Illinois, March 10-13, 2008. This biennial event, which concentrates on the important science of STD prevention and its implications for program, will give public health professionals, clinicians, researchers, non-governmental organizations, and advocates the opportunity to exchange information about effective prevention approaches.  For more information about the conference, please visit www.cdc.gov/stdconference/.

Hotel Accommodations:

Reporters are responsible for making their own hotel arrangements.

We’re looking forward to seeing you in Chicago in March. If you have any questions, please contact the conference toll-free media information line at 1-866-584-5030. For additional information about the conference, please continue checking this site.