General meeting information simplified

If you've already received your program for the 2006 American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) Annual Meeting in San Francisco, you know that it's a very detailed, very descriptive, very big book. It's chock-full of valuable information on the sessions, schedules and presenters. That level of detail may make it a little difficult to locate some basic details, though. So we have extrapolated some of the general meeting information and presented it here for you in a concise, simple format.

To see more detailed information pertaining to the meeting, individual sessions, education, registration or other questions, refer to your program or log on to the AAD's Web site at http://www.aad.org/ and click on the link for the 64th Annual Meeting.

The Moscone Center

Some particulars about The Moscone Center that may interest you:

You can access information about the Center at its Web site at http://www.moscone.com/.

Schedule and registration

Registration, cancellation and ticketing information is summarized here.

Registration - Register - if you haven't already - online for the meeting as well as for housing. Log on to the AAD Web site at http://www.aad.org/ for fast, easy and convenient registration. Fees range from free for honorary AAD members and medical students to $1,300 for non-AAD member physicians. All fees are increased for on-site registration.

Advance registration closes Friday, Feb. 3, at 5 p.m. CST. On-site registration at the meeting is available from Thursday, March 2 (starting at 2 p.m. CST) through Tuesday, March 7 (through 5 p.m. CST).

Cancellation - Cancellations before Feb. 17 must be sent in writing via e-mail (aad@itsmeetings.com
) or fax (847-940-2386 or 800-521-6017). From Feb. 18 through Feb. 27, a $75 cancellation fee will be imposed. Badges and tickets must be received, along with a written cancellation request, postmarked by 5 p.m. CST on Monday, Feb. 27. Include your name and confirmation number. Mail badges and tickets to: AAD Registration and Housing, 108 Wilmot Rd., Suite 400, Deerfield, IL 60015-5124. Failure to return badges and tickets will result in a forfeiture of all fees. Because international attendees receive their badges and tickets on site, the return of such does not apply to their cancellations.

More than 400 sessions are being offered, including 28 courses, two plenary sessions, 50 symposia, six labs, 45 discussion groups and 206 focus sessions. Surgical sessions are open to dermatologists only, and require tickets. Practice management sessions are open to eligible office staff and registered nurses. No tickets or tuition are required for open-admission sessions.