103^rd General Meeting
May 18 - May 22, 2003
Washington, DC

Corporate Activities Program
Membership
Teacher Science Day
EducationResources@asmusa.org
MeetingsInfo@asmusa.org
ExhibitsInfo@asmusa.org

General Information

The American Society for Microbiology will hold its 103^rd General Meeting in Washington, DC. Plan on attending all five days of a spectacular scientific program while enjoying the beautiful scenery of the USA's Capitol City.

Twenty five workshops precede the meeting and will be held both Saturday and Sunday, May 17 and 18. All of the workshops will be held at Gallaudet University, 800 Florida Ave, NE, Washington, DC where there are both lecture and laboratory facilities. Transportation to the workshops will be provided.

The scientific program will feature nearly 300 individual colloquia, symposia, roundtable discussions, award lectures, and poster presentations. The 26 division chairs and the General Meeting Program Committee have devoted their energies to creating a well-rounded program.

This year's schedule will begin on Sunday, May 18, 2003, at 5:00 p.m. with a special session on a scientific topic of general interest to the society. It will be followed by the the Opening Session at 6:00 p.m. Both sessions will be held in the Ballroom of the Washington Convention Center.

ExpoExchange has released room reservations to the hotels and is no longer able to assist you in securing a room reservation. A listing of hotels is available for you to use should you need to make a reservation prior to the meeting.

Airport Airline, Rail, and Automobile Options

Washington, DC, is served by three airports, Dulles International (IAD), Ronald Reagan National Airport (DCA) and Baltimore/Washington International (BWI), and one train station (Union Station) that has links to Amtrak, MARC and Metrorail. Comparison shopping will provide the best available airfare.

Airports

 

Dulles International Airport (IAD)

26 miles west of Washington, DC, Dulles International Airport is the largest airport in the area. A cab ride from Dulles to downtown DC costs approximately $50, but the Washington Flyer service will take you to their terminal in downtown Washington for $16. For schedule, call Washington Flyer at 703-685-1400. For more information, visit their web site.

 

Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA)

Closest of the three airports to Washington, a cab ride from Reagan to downtown DC runs about $15, but airfare tends to be highest going into Reagan. There are additional security procedures and restrictions for flights in to and out of Reagan.

 

Baltimore/Washington International Airport

BWI is 30 miles from the Washington Convention Center. A cab to BWI costs approximately $60. A direct bus also takes passengers from BWI to the Greenbelt station of Washington’s Metro transit system. Transportation into the District is also provided by Super Shuttle, call 1-800-809-7080 for schedules and reservations.

Airlines


American Airlines

(Serves IAD, DCA and BWI)

A 7% discount off the lowest applicable fare will be offered when you or your travel agent call American’s toll-free number, 1-800-433-1790 and refer to Star File number 7253AA. A 10% discount off unrestricted mid-week coach fares is available when purchased seven days in advance. An additional bonus may apply if ticket is booked 60 days or more in advance of travel.

 

Delta Airlines

(Serves IAD, DCA and BWI)

Delta Air Lines is offering a 5% discount off Delta’s published round-trip fares, and a 10% discount off the published unrestricted coach fares from most domestic locations. Purchase your tickets 60 or more days in advance and receive an additional 5% bonus discount off the above fares. Zone fares are also available. You may contact Delta Air Lines directly at 1-800-241-6760, and refer to Meeting ID Code 189453A.

 

Southwest Airlines

(Serves BWI)

General Meeting attendees receive 10% off of most Southwest Airlines fares. Make reservations through Southwest’s Group and Meetings Reservations at 1-800-433-5368, and reference K6735.

Passenger Rail

Amtrak


Receive 10% savings off the lowest available coach rail fare to Washington, DC by calling 1-800-USA-RAIL. Refer to Fare Code X87W-946 when making your reservation.

Automobile Rental


Avis

Avis has extended special rates to ASM meeting attendees. Call Avis at 1-800-331-1084 and request file number J947942. International attendees may call the 24-hour reservations line at 1-918-664-4600. Automobiles may be reserved via the internet at Avis' link above.

Americans with Disabilities Act

All venues of the 103^rd General Meeting are in compliance, to some degree, with the Americans with Disabilities Act. Attendees requiring specially designed accommodations are advised to attach a note describing their needs to the  Registration and Housing Form or inform the ExpoExchange agent by phone when making housing arrangements.  In addition, persons requiring any other special service (wheelchair-accessible transportation, sign interpreters, etc.) are asked to make their needs known in writing to ASM by Friday, May 2, 2003. Fax all requests for assistance to (202) 942-9340 or e-mail meetingsinfo@asmusa.org.

Badge Policies

Attendee Badges

Attendee badges permit access into all scientific sessions, the Exhibit Hall, poster sessions, unlimited use of the Courtesy Shuttle, and use of the Guest Lounge.


Guest Badges

Guest Badges ($50) allow a guest or family member of a registered scientist access to the Courtesy Shuttle, the Exhibit Hall, use of the Guest Lounge, and complimentary guest programs. Guests and family members are also invited to the General Meeting Opening Session and Reception and President’s Forum and Reception. Guest badges are intended for use by non-scientists. Therefore, individuals wearing guest badges are not permitted into scientific sessions.


Exhibitor Badges

Exhibitor badges do not allow entry into sessions. If company personnel will be attending scientific sessions or would like to receive continuing education credit, they must register as participants and pay the appropriate registration fee.


Press Badges

Press badges permit access into all scientific sessions, the Exhibit Hall, poster sessions, and unlimited use of the Courtesy Shuttle. If members of the press would like to receive continuing education credit, an attendee registration must be purchased, and appropriate continuing education fee paid.


Child Care

The child-care program will be managed by Accent on Children’s Arrangements, Inc., a professional childcare provider. The daily schedule and a registration form may be found on the Child Care Page through the link to the left.

Continuing Education (CE) Credits

The American Society for Microbiology (ASM) is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) to sponsor Continuing Medical Education for Physicians. ASM is also accredited by the Florida Department of Health to provide Continuing Education for Clinical Laboratory Personnel. In addition, ASM is accredited by the California Department of Health Services for Clinical Laboratory Sciences to offer Continuing Education for California Clinical Laboratory Scientists. 

Continuing Medical Education credits as well as Continuing Education credits for California and Florida will be available for the majority of the ASM General Meeting symposia. The actual number of sessions meeting CE requirements will be published in the General Meeting Final Program.

Corporate Activities Program

The Corporate Activities Program members support the Student Scientist Program to ensure that microbiological research continues in various areas. This support provides travel grants for students or postdoctorial fellows who will be presenting abstracts at the General Meeting. For more information see the program link to the left in the scholar's column.

Exhibits

The exhibit hall will be open daily, Monday, May 19 through Wednesday, May 21 from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Located in halls A and B, the exhibit floor will feature companies displaying the latest diagnostic and laboratory equipment, laboratory services and supplies, computer equipment, and pharmaceuticals. Speak to non-profit associations about their programs and be sure to stop by Publishers’ Park where the latest titles relevant to microbiology will be displayed. Attendees are encouraged to meet colleagues in the ASM Lounge and enjoy complimentary beverages throughout the day. A visit to the poster sessions will complete your tour of the exhibit hall. An exhibit Hall floor plan and detailed exhibitor information and their products will be included in the Exhibit Guide.

If your company is interested in exhibiting at the 103rd General Meeting, contact ASM Exhibits by phone, (202) 942-9387, or e-mail, exhibitsinfo@asmusa.org, and request the General Meeting Exhibit Prospectus. The Prospectus can also be found on-line at www.asmusa.org/mtgsrc.exhibits.htm.

Family and Guest Program

A Family and Guest Hospitality Program will be offered during the 103^rd General Meeting. Follow the link on the left to the Family and Guest Programs page.

Meeting Rooms

Affiliate groups, allied societies, and alumni groups needing space for meetings or events are invited to hold their gatherings during the General Meeting. To reserve space, an Affiliated Event Form must be completed. Please call ASM at 202-942-9257 to obtain the form, which contains all relevant instructions and guidelines. Space is not available in the Washington Convention Center. Please note that permission to hold meetings is limited to exhibiting companies, allied societies, and alumni groups.

Membership in ASM

Take advantage of lower ASM member registration rates by sending an application for membership directly to ASM and becoming a member of ASM before you register. Please indicate on the Registration and Housing Form that your membership is "pending." For information on membership in ASM, or to request a form, call 1-202-942-9266. You also may download a form from the Membership Home Page (see link on left). Membership in ASM also entitles you to discounted registration rates at ICAAC, and most ASM conferences.

President's Events

ASM Lecture

Join us at the Convention Center at 6:00 p.m. on Sunday, May 18 for the ASM Lecture. Dr. Donald A. Henderson will present a talk entitled "The Smallpox Saga: A Chapter not yet Written." The session will be followed by a reception at the Washington Convention Center.

President's Address

Dr. Ronald Atlas will present a discussion entitled "Bioremediation to Bioterrorism." This session will be on Monday, May 19 at 5:30 p.m.

President's Forum

Dr. Atlas has gathered together an impressive list of speakers to support his Forum. The title for this session is "Communicating Microbiology to the Public: Fact, Fiction, and Uncertainty." The Forum will be held on Wednesday, May 22 at 5:30 p.m. A reception will follow the session. Details will be available in the Final Program.

Other Events and Programs

Special Session

The General Meeting Program Committee will sponsor a short session on a topic of general scientific interest to the membership of the Society. The session will be held on Sunday, May 18, 2003, at 5:00 p.m. just before the ASM Lecture. Details will be given in the Final Program.

ASM Annual Membership Meeting

The General Membership Meeting and Outgoing Officer Awards Presentation will be held on Tuesday, May 21, starting at 11:45 a.m.

Archives Committee

In honor of the 50^th Anniversary of Watson and Crick’s publication of their research on the structure of DNA, the Archives Committee has gathered a distinguished group of noted scientists to discuss the impact of the “double-helix” on the science of microbiology. The session, entitled "DNA, Microbiology and the Genetic Revolution," will be held in Ballroom A of the convention center at 5:15 p.m.

Student Activities

The Student Lounge will offer students the opportunity to informally meet and discuss science and career-related topics with prominent microbiologists in academia, industry, government and more through the Career Mentor program. Students may use the lounge to socialize, network, and relax between sessions. The Student Lounge will be open 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Wednesday.

A $10 coupon for student members can be redeemed at the ASM Press Booth in the Washington Convention Center. Coupons will be mailed to all pre-registered students.

Teacher Science Day

ASM's Education Board (EB) through the Committee on Precollege Education will conduct a workshop for science teachers from the DC area. Teachers will conduct morning workshops and then join the Undergraduate Conference participants for afternoon plenary sessions. If you are interested in volunteering to assist with Teacher Science Day or would like to have more information, e-mail educationresources@asmusa.org or visit the Teacher Science Day web page through the link on the left.