Pediatric Academic Societies’
Annual Meeting

Invitation to Exhibit

	May 1 - May 4, 1999 The Moscone Center San Francisco, California	For more information please call (281) 419-0052 or Fax (281) 419-0082 E-Mail: info@aps-spr.org

Each spring, three of the world’s largest and most prestigious pediatric professional associations - the American Pediatric Society, Society for Pediatric Research and Ambulatory Pediatric Association - join together to host the Pediatric Academic Societies’ (PAS) joint scientific conference. The 4-day meeting is considered the premier international setting for the dissemination of the latest clinical and basic research findings, education, state-of-the-art reviews and networking.

In 1998, over 2700 abstracts were submitted to the three organizations and over 3800 pediatric health care providers attended the meeting. (355 representatives were present from 85 companies; there were 139 exhibit booths.) For 1999 we expect increases in both abstracts and attendees.

In addition to our own program, the following pediatric subspecialty clubs and symposia meet in conjunction with our annual meeting and exposition.

• American Society of Pediatric Nephrology
• Association of Pediatric Program Directors
• Dysmorphology & Teratology Club
• Kernicterus Symposium
• Lawson Wilkins Pediatric Endocrine Society
• Lung Club
• Milk Club
• Pediatric Infectious Diseases Society
• Perinatal Nutrition & Metabolism Club
• Society of Developmental Pediatrics

The program committee has organized an outstanding scientific program again this year. Our scientific poster sessions are designed to enhance your visibility to all attendees. We will again aggressively promote our meeting.

Our exhibits have increased each of the last nine years and we anticipate a record breaking year in San Francisco. Please submit your contract for space early to take advantage of prime locations. Don't miss out on this unique opportunity to be visible to the clinical, research and teaching community on pediatrics.

CLICK HERE FOR IMPORTANT DATES TO REMEMBER

All three societies share a similar mission of fostering the health and well being of children. The PAS Annual Meeting provides a forum for individuals involved in pediatric research to disseminate the latest clinical and basic research findings.

THE AMERICAN PEDIATRIC SOCIETY (APS) is an organization bringing together men and women for the advancement of the study of children and their diseases, for the prevention of illness and the promotion of pediatric education and research, and to honor those who, by their contributions to pediatrics, have aided in its advancement.

THE SOCIETY FOR PEDIATRIC RESEARCH (SPR) is an international society for scientists whose purpose is to encourage investigation of a broad range of areas involving the health and well being of children. This is facilitated by providing a forum for interchange of ideas and providing opportunity for young investigators to present their work. This is accomplished through membership activities, the annual research meeting and the sponsorship of several awards.

THE AMBULATORY PEDIATRIC ASSOCIATION (APA) is an organization whose objectives are to improve teaching, research and services in general pediatrics, to affect public and governmental opinion regarding issues vital to teaching, research and patient care in general pediatrics.

Below are the topics which will be presented at the 1999 PAS Annual Meeting in San Francisco.
The scheduling and speakers for some of these programs has not yet been finalized.

1999 Schedule-at-a-Glance

State of the Art Plenary

• Advances in Cognitive Neuroscience & Language Development
  This symposium will review new discoveries in the pathobiology of cognitive and affective disorders with special emphasis on novel neurorehabilitation and language restoration programs.
  
• Advances in Fetal/Neonatal Medicine
  This symposium will highlight advances in the understanding of fetal and neonatal development that are likely to alter approaches to clinical care in the next few years. Subjects to be discussed include the role of mechanical forces in regulating fetal lung growth, the development of the barrier function of fetal skin, and the role of neurosteroids in fetal cortical development.
  
• Childhood Obesity
  This symposium will review new discoveries in the pathophysiology, genetics, and epidemiology of childhood obesity.
  
• Clinical Pharmacology
  This symposium will review new and existing paradigms in clinical pharmacology including the challenges created by the expanding repertoire of therapeutic agents requiring specific cell or organ targeting and new insights into the influence of genetic background on drug responsiveness.
  
• Human Genome Project
  The current status and future of the human genome project will be reviewed including issues raised by the ability to identify a large number of gene loci that predispose to common adult diseases and late onset cancer. The use of powerful on-line genetic databases by practicing physicians will be discussed.
  
• Mechanisms of Human Malformation
  This symposium will review recent discoveries in the mechanisms of human embryogenesis as they relate to human birth defects.
  
• Molecular Pathogenesis of Infectious Diseases
  This symposium will review new discoveries in the pathogenesis of viral and bacterial diseases and introduce possible new strategies for the prevention and treatment of infection.
  
• Report of the Task Force of the Future of Pediatric Education II
  The Public Policy Council will provide a forum for the presentation of the draft recommendations of the Task Force of the Future of Pediatric Education II and provide an opportunity for the memberships of our Societies to engage members of the Task Force in open discussion of their recommendations.
  
• SCHIP and Medicaid: Research Implications
  SCHIP represents a major new investment in child health insurance. This symposium will review the research agendas that arise from this program and the opportunities for the pediatric research community to increase the quality and quantity of research attached to these programs.

Topic Symposia

• Apoptosis
  New discoveries in the mechanisms of apoptosis will be reviewed and the current and future application of these discoveries to clinical medicine discussed.
  
• Cytokine Receptor Defects
  This symposium will review the basic biology of cytokine receptors and the new discoveries of cytokine receptor defects that are altering our understanding of susceptibility to infectious and inflammatory diseases and the pathophysiology of several inherited pediatric diseases.
  
• Development in Vitamin D Metabolism and Rickets
  This symposium will review advances that have been made in vitamin D metabolism and the improved understanding of the pathophysiology of genetic forms of rickets that has come about with the recent identification of the key genes regulating vitamin D metabolism.
  
• Human Chromosome Instability Syndromes and the Susceptibility of Cancer
  Patients with chromosome instability syndromes have multiple clinical abnormalities including congenital anomalies, anemia’s and cancer susceptibility. This symposium will review the molecular pathophysiology of these disorders and the implication for more common pediatrics diseases.

Hot Topics

Each Hot Topic Symposium will frame a controversy in clinical medicine and allow opportunities for the attendee to engage in discussion with a specialist panel and other members of the audience.

• Controversies in Emergency Services Management
• Controversies in Neonatology
• Controversies in Otitis Media

Mini Courses

• Caring for the Adolescent
• Infectious Diseases/Immunology
• Nutrition of and Feeding the Pre-term Infant

Educational Seminars

• Academic Leadership
• Applying for Research grants (Basic & Clinical)
• Career Paths in Academic Medicine for Residents, Fellows and Jr. Faculty (Basic & Clinical)
• Child Advocacy
• Designing Clinical Research Studies
• Designing Execution of Randomized Control Trails
• Personal Problems of Physicians
• Scientific Writing & Presentation Skills
• Statistics
• Teaching & Mentoring Skills
• Time Management

The Pediatric Academic Societies Annual Meeting offers a number of options for industry to manifest its support for pediatric medicine and to become visible to the clinical, research and teaching communities. Enhance your visibility and increase your booth traffic by taking advantage of one or more of the several marketing opportunities listed below.

Web Site Listing

The PAS will promote the 1999 Annual Meetings on our Web Site. Included in this promotion will be a listing of each exhibiting company’s booth description. This service provides your company more exposure. Be sure to complete the product listing form by the deadline if you wish to be included.

Mailing Labels

Pre-show mailings increase booth traffic and exposure of your company’s products and services. To assist you in reaching this goal, labels for PAS pre-registrants will be made available to confirmed exhibitors. Complete the form for ordering mailing labels if you wish to receive labels. A sample piece of the mailing must be submitted to the PAS for approval.

Additionally, mailing labels of all PAS registrants will be available after the PAS meetings to confirmed exhibitors. A form for a complete list will be sent out after the PAS meeting.

Deliveries to Registrants’ Hotel Rooms

For the first time, the PAS will allow room drops to occur. This is a convenient, inexpensive, and highly visible way to distribute materials to attendees. If you would like further information on this service, please contact the PAS Exposition Office.

Educational/General Program Grants

The Pediatric Academic Societies encourages and solicits industry support for the state of the art plenary, topic symposia, hot topics, mini courses, and educational seminars. This is an excellent opportunity to reach that specific audience you wish to be visible to. Please take a few moments to review the topics, which have been selected for the 1999 PAS Annual Meeting found on pages 7-9. If your company is interested in discussing this type of support, call the Scientific Program Coordinator, Debbie Anagnostelis at (281) 419-0052, or send an e-mail todebbiea@aps-spr.org.

Advertising

Exhibitors are eligible for special advertising discounts in the Abstract Program Supplement to Pediatric Research, which is mailed to all members of the APS and SPR.

Other Sponsorship Opportunities

The following sponsorship opportunities are potentially available:

• Tote Bags
• PAS Meeting Shuttle Service
• Child Care Service
• Message Center
• Compact Disk which contains proceedings from various invited science programs (State of the Art or Hot Topics) -- Conference Capture ®

Use of the Pediatric Academic Societies Name, Insignia, Logo or Acronym (PAS, APS, SPR or APA)

The Pediatric Academic Societies’ name, insignia, logo and acronym are proprietary marks and may not be used in signs, advertising or promotions in any media or on descriptive product literature either inside or outside the exhibit area. This rule applies before, after, and/or during the meeting, unless prior approval has been received from the PAS Exposition Manager.

Sponsorship Recognition

Acknowledgement of industry support is well publicized. Sponsorship is:

• Announced at the business meetings of the APS, SPR and APA and recorded in minutes
• Printed in the official program and in other publications
• Announced by the chair at the event; and
• Shown by signage at the event

Companies may wish to support more than one activity. Acknowledgment is therefore given according to the total contribution, in the following manner:

• Gold Contributor ($50,000 and up)
• Silver Contributor ($20,000 - $49,999)
• Bronze Contributor ($1,000 - $19,999)
• Sustaining Contributor (Below $1,000)

All donations for conference support, research or education are tax deductible.

An Opening Reception will be held on Saturday, May 1 from 5:15 pm to 7:15 pm. The Exhibit Closing Reception will be Tuesday, May 4 from 1:00 pm to 2:30 pm. We will be serving wine and cheese for the Opening Reception and complimentary food and beverages for the Closing Exhibit Reception. To further help promote this event, we will place signage around the exhibit hall and other areas of the Convention Center indicating these events.

Back by popular demand for 1999, exhibitors will be allowed to serve food in their booths. The Pediatric Academic Societies are limited in the amount of complimentary food it can support during exhibit hours. We encourage ALL exhibitors to provide complimentary food to entice attendees to their booths. The association will continue to provide complimentary beverages in the Beverage Lounges. Orders and payment will be required through the convention center caterers, Facility Management Inc. of California (FMIC) only. No outside food or beverage may be brought into the convention center. To help in your promotion, upon completed orders to the Convention Center caterer, the Pediatric Academic Societies will provide signage to include exhibiting company name, location, items to be served, and times of service. (Deadline March 2) If your company would like to participate in this excellent opportunity for further exposure at our meeting, please contact the PAS Exposition Manager.

General

The Pediatric Academic Societies (PAS) acts for exhibitors and their representatives in the capacity of agent, not as principal. The PAS assumes no liability for any act of omission or commission in connection with this agency, including, but not limited to any loss or damages suffered by an exhibitor as a result of any act or omission of any vendor, service providers, or other exhibitors. Exhibitors and their representatives hereby release the PAS from any and all liabilities for loss or damage ensuing from any cause whatsoever, except for claims for damages or injuries resulting from the PAS failure to fulfill its obligations as set forth in this Prospectus.

Before any exhibit may be removed from the building, exhibitors must make arrangements satisfactory to the PAS, the Moscone Convention Center - San Francisco and the PAS official vendors for the payment of any charges incurred by the exhibitor in connection with presenting their exhibit.

In the event of conflicts regarding space requests, or conditions beyond its control, the PAS reserves the right to revise the floor plan.

Liability

The exhibitor agrees to protect and keep the PAS forever harmless from any damage or charges imposed for any violation of any law or ordinance whether occasioned by the negligence of the exhibitor or those holding under the exhibitor, as well as to strictly comply with the applicable terms and conditions contained in the agreement between the exhibit hall and the PAS regarding the exhibit premises; and further the exhibitor shall at all times protect, indemnify and keep harmless the PAS and the Moscone Convention Center - San Francisco against and for any and all costs, damages, liability, or expense arising from or out of accident or other occurrence to anyone, including the exhibitor, its agents, employees and business invitee, which arise from or out of or by reason of said exhibitor occupancy and use of the exhibition premises or a part thereof. Exhibitors are encouraged to insure themselves against property loss or damage and against liability for personal injury.

Conditions of Contract to Exhibit

Exhibitors agree to abide by the conditions of contract published in this Prospectus and by all conditions under which space at the Moscone Convention Center - San Francisco is leased to the PAS. Exhibitors accept responsibility for informing all of their employees and agents of these conditions and agree that they will abide by them also. A copy of these conditions will be made available to the exhibitor upon request.

Violations

As a condition for exhibiting, each exhibitor shall agree that they, their employees, and their agents will observe all PAS policies and regulations as described in this Prospectus. Failure to halt or amend these actions or comply with these policies and/or regulations will result in the following penalties:

• A warning will be issued to the exhibiting company, outlining the actions which are in violation of the policies and regulations.
• The first penalty assessed by the PAS will result in the company not accruing the exhibit participation points for the current year.
• The second penalty assessed by the PAS will result in the company losing one-half of its accrued exhibit participation points.
• The third penalty assessed by the PAS will result in the company losing all of its accrued exhibit participation points.
• The fourth penalty assessed by the PAS will result in the company not being eligible to exhibit at future PAS meetings and exhibitions.

The PAS reserves the right to restrict and/or dismiss at any time any exhibit which it deems undesirable.

Violators of rules and regulations outlined in this Prospectus will incur a reduction in points as outlined above for each penalty assessed.

Any exhibitor who begins dismantling or packaging their exhibit and/or exhibit materials prior to the close of the technical exhibits will automatically forfeit all priority points earned over the past 5 years and may not be permitted to participate in future PAS exhibitions.

Whenever practical or appropriate in the view of the PAS, disciplinary action will be progressive, according to the above sequence. However, the PAS reserves the right to levy a more severe penalty, including refusal of or termination of the exhibit, at our discretion, without progressing through each of the above successive steps. In the event of such restriction or eviction, the PAS will not be liable for any refunds or rentals or other exhibit expenses.

In all interpretations of the rules and regulations, the decision of the PAS is final.

Any objectionable practices by exhibitors or official suppliers should be reported to the PAS Exposition Manager immediately.

Cancellation of Exposition

In the event of cancellation of the PAS Exposition due to fire, strikes, governmental regulations, or causes which would prevent its scheduled opening or continuance, then and there upon exhibitors and the PAS have no further obligations to each other, and the PAS management shall determine an equitable basis for the refund of such portion of the exhibit fees as is possible, after due consideration of expenditures and commitments already made.

Security

General overall 24-hour guard service will be provided by the Associations for the convention period from the beginning of move-in to the end of move-out. The Associations, however, will not be held responsible for the loss of any material for any cause and urges the exhibitor to exercise normal precautions to discourage loss due to theft or any other cause.

Space Assignments

Booth space will be assigned by point system. Booth space will be determined in the following order:

• Total accumulation of points.
• Total number of years exhibited with PAS.
  (5 points per year)
• Total number of booths accumulated throughout the past years.
  (3 points per booth)
• Consecutive years exhibited with PAS.
  (1 point per 3 consecutive years)
• Date contract received in the PAS Exposition Office.

• Reservations of booth space will NOT be accepted over the telephone or FAX.
• All booths are shown on the floor plan.
• Management reserves the right to revise the floor plan if necessary.

Exhibit Booth Specifications

Booth space that is NOT confined to a perimeter wall must NOT exceed a height of 18 feet (with special approval, see page 18) . No obstructions in the front half of the booth above a height of 40 inches is permitted.

NEW - CLOSE OFF DRAPES are the responsibility of the exhibiting company. Booths that don’t have close off drape prior to the opening exhibits; the PAS reserves the right to order drapes and have the service contractor invoice directly to the exhibiting company.

Exhibit Booth Fee

The standard booth size 10' x 10' or multiples thereof. The fee is $2000 per 10' x 10'. Island Booths are multiples of 10' x 10's. Non-profit organization fee will be $1300 per 10’ x 10’. The non-profit rate is for 501(c) 3 organizations only and non-profit certificate must accompany payment and contract. Non-profit organizations that hire for-profit companies to exhibit on their behalf (i.e., market research, and recruitment) will not qualify for the non-profit rate. The floor plan designates Islands booths available. Additional Island booths can be added after all existing island booths are sold.

Payment

A deposit of 25% ($500 per 10' x 10') of total exhibit space cost must accompany the Request for Exhibit Space/Contract. Applications will not be processed nor space assigned without the required deposit. The final 75% is due no later than January 30, 1999.

If full payment is not received within this time period, assigned space may be reassigned or sold.

FULL payment for exhibit space must accompany the application for exhibit space after January 30, 1999.

Exhibitors will not be allowed to occupy assigned space until all monies due the Associations are paid in full.

Cancellations

Cancellations more than 90 days prior to opening day (Friday, January 30, 1999) - 25% of total booth rental fee will be retained by the Associations. Less than 90 days (Saturday, January 31, 1999) and space is not resold or exposition is not sold out - 100% will be retained by the Associations.

If exposition is sold out, 25% will be retained by the Associations.

Island Booth

Island booths will not be equipped with drape. The height restriction of the island booths will be 18 feet (14 feet without special approval see page 18). Island booths may occupy 100% of the rental space, but must maintain a 50% see-through effect on that portion of the booth up to 8 feet. A sketch of island booths must be submitted to the Official Decorator and/or the Moscone Convention Center - San Francisco at their request. If sketches are not submitted and the construction is determined to be in violation of the above restrictions, the Associations have the right to prohibit the assembling of the booth.

PAS Show Management reserves the right to request the Service Contractor to begin set-up of any booth that has not begun construction/set-up by Saturday, May 1 at 1:30 pm at the exhibiting companies expense. There will be no exceptions to this rule. Invoices for labor and materials will be billed directly to the exhibitor.

Independent Contractors

Exhibitors who plan to use the service of anyone other than the official service contractor (Independent Contractors) must notify the PAS Exposition Office, Champion Exposition Services and send certificate of insurance no less that 15 days prior to the show. Independent contractors must abide by all rules and regulations set forth by the PAS and the Moscone Convention Center - San Francisco.

Drapery color will be Turquoise, Peach, and White
INCLUDED WITH THE FEE FOR ONE 10' X 10' BOOTH IS THE FOLLOWING:

• An 8' high back wall and 36" side rails with drapery
• A 7" x 44" booth sign identifying the Company/Organization's name and booth number
• Security guard service (exhibit hall only)
• Aisle cleaning
• Profile and product listing in the Final Program of the PAS (if received prior to press time)
• Opening and Closing Exhibit Receptions
• One copy of the APS/SPR and APA Abstracts program. Abstract Book tickets will be mailed to contact person 2 weeks before the meeting and one copy of the pocket program will be mailed to exhibiting company prior to meeting.

Exhibit Staff Conduct

All exhibits must be properly staffed at all times. Those leaving booths unstaffed for long periods of time, or those who vacate the booth prior to the official closing time, will be penalized by loss of accumulated points for 1998 or excluded from future meetings.

Smoking in the Exhibit Hall

The American Pediatric Society, The Society for Pediatric Research, and The Ambulatory Pediatric Association have established a NON-SMOKING POLICY for all portions of the PAS functions. No smoking will be allowed in the Exhibit Hall.

Subletting of Exhibit Space

Exhibitors are prohibited from assigning or subletting a booth or any part of the space allotted to them. Nor shall they exhibit or permit to be exhibited in their space any merchandise or advertising materials which are not a part of their own regular products or services.

Give-A-Ways

Give-a-ways at your booth must be pre-approved by the PAS office No matter how small or inexpensive, the exhibitor must receive prior approval. If your giveaway is not cleared through PAS (prior to the exhibit), or it is determined to be objectionable or prohibited, PAS has the right to refuse its distribution. An Exhibitor Give-Away Approval Form is enclosed with this prospectus.

No Copies of the abstracts submitted or presented by the APS/SPR or APA are allowed to be distributed without written approval from the PAS Exposition office.

Registration and Badges

There is NO CHARGE for exhibitor registration. However, the PAS requests your assistance in completing the Advance Registration Form in a timely manner. Exhibitors will receive the registration form in a separate mailing. On-site registrants must show a business card or some identification that indicates their affiliation with the Exhibiting Company. Deadline April 9, 1999.

Housing

Exhibitors are encouraged to make housing arrangements as soon as possible after receiving the information from the PAS office. The deadline for housing is April 1, 1999.

Additional housing information will be sent at a later date.

Hospitality Suites

Hospitality suites are only available to companies who are exhibiting during the 1999 PAS Annual Meeting. Exhibitors requesting a hospitality suite should do so through the PAS Housing Bureau at the same time that sleeping room requests are made. Upon approval by the PAS, a confirmation will be sent by the hotel. Hospitality functions cannot conflict with official PAS activities.

Function Space

If you wish to plan a function outside of the exhibit hall during the PAS Annual Meeting, the PAS must be informed for the convenience and protection of PAS attendees. Exhibiting companies must complete a "Function Space " form which should be requested from the PAS Program Office. The deadline for receipt of this form is February 12, 1999. Scientific Symposia which are organized by industry will not be permitted. Other functions will be assigned at the San Francisco Hilton, which serves as the PAS headquarter hotel.

** All Rules will be Strongly Enforced **

Hand-Carried Freight

Move-in or move-out through the Moscone Center lobbies is strictly limited to hand-carried items. Wheels of any kind (luggage carts, flatbeds, or anything mechanical) are PROHIBITED. Material which requires the use of wheeled or mechanical equipment must be delivered to the exhibit floor through the loading docks or drive-on access from the freight tunnels.

Acceptable Booth Configurations

The following booth configurations are acceptable:

• Open top exhibition booths.
• Platforms not exceeding 500 square feet.

The following booth configurations will require prior special approval:

• Platforms exceeding 500 square feet.
• Exhibition booths with canopies.
• Single-level covered exhibition booths.
• Booths/exhibits of a height exceeding 14’ (See special approval)
• Any booth designed with a second level. Plans must be safety certified by a licensed professional engineer before floor plans are submitted. If occupancy load is less than 10 persons, one exit is sufficient. If occupancy load is more than 10 persons, two(2) means of exiting are required. (Section 1005.1 - 1005.10 of the Uniform Building code prohibits use of spiral, winding or curved stairs in any facility.) Circular stairs may be used from the second level of booths provided the minimum width of run is not less then 10 inches and the smaller radius is not less than twice the width of the stairway.

Special Approval

To obtain special approval, the exhibitor shall submit in writing:

• The nature of the process or equipment to be used.
• The quantity of restricted materials to be used.
• What provisions will be made to provide fire suppression or other life safety measures which will prevent any injury, harm, or damage. The request must be submitted to facility management 30 days in advance of the show preferably with pictures. It will then be given to the facility Fire Marshall who will approve or reject the request. Written notification will be returned to the originator of the request.
• Send a self addressed stamped envelope to :
  

  		Sonearra E. Cross Senior Event Manager The Moscone Center 747 Howard St. San Francisco, CA 94103

1. Utilities: Compressed Air, water and drains are available from the floor.
2. Floor load capacity unlimited.
3. Exhibitor registration will be located outside of Hall D entrance.
4. Meeting Registration will be located in the North Lobby Moscone Center.
5. Ceiling height for Hall D is 24 feet. PAS Exhibitors Island Booths are restricted to 18 feet. 10' x 10' booths are restricted to 8 feet. A booth over the height of 14 feet will need special approval (See Moscone Center page 18).
6. Aisles will be 10 feet.
7. Electrical: Hall D is served via four substations and an embedded duct/floor box system. Power cables are directed from the substations to floor locations. All floor boxes have a 60 ampere, 120/208 volt outlet. The 277/480 volt, 3 phase is available through a ceiling-mounted duct.

Do to the safety risk balloons have with children, the PAS would like to discourage any exhibitor from using balloons in their booth. However, if the exhibitor feels it is necessary to have balloons, the following are the rules for the use of Helium balloons within the Moscone Center.

1. All balloons must be securely weighted. Helium balloons may not be given out within the Moscone Center. Contracting party will be charged for removal of all balloons entangled in the ceilings structure. Compressed gas cylinders must be transported in a safe manner, using OSHA- approved cylinder carts. Cylinders must be properly secured to prevent toppling, and must be removed from within the Moscone Center during all event hours.
   
2. Glitter and adhesive-backed decals are strictly prohibited and may not be distributed or used for any purpose within the Moscone Convention Center.