Annual Conference 2024: meeting your needs

We work very closely with all our venue catering teams to ensure all dietary requirements can be provided for. As Conference takes place during Ramadan, we are providing take away lunches for delegates to eat later in the day when breaking their fast. In the venue please don’t hesitate to let us know, or speak to the venue catering staff, if you can’t see your requirement signposted.

 

We recently took the decision to remove alcohol from all scientific sessions, including poster sessions, to ensure everyone can participate fully. However, a drinks reception will take place on Monday evening and alcohol will be available at social events.

 

We have dedicated areas to accommodate our delegates who may require a quiet space, prayer room or nursing room – these will be signposted in-venue and please ask us if you can’t find what you are looking for.

 

We have teamed up with Nipperbout to provide a free creche at Conference 2024. It is available to all children of registered delegates between 0 and 12 years old. Booking is available on a first-come, first-served basis.

Level access routes and toilets are clearly signposted throughout the venue and there are dedicated spaces for wheelchair users to sit in the main auditorium. However, if you would prefer to self-transfer to an auditorium seat, please ask a member of staff who will be happy to assist.

 

An induction loop is available in the main auditorium and can be provided in other rooms; please ensure you include your accessibility requirements on registration so that we can provide you with full details if you require these.

 

All accessible toilets are also signposted as gender neutral and available for anyone requiring gender neutral facilities to use. All name badges either have pronouns printed on them, or a space to add these should you wish to. Please do respect other delegates personal pronouns.

 

If this is your first Conference and you would like to join a tour of the venue, meet Society staff by the registration desks by 13:00 on Monday 8 April. The tour will take approximately 45 minutes and will finish in the exhibition where you can help yourself to refreshments before the first session starts.

 

If you are an international delegate you may also wish to join us for a meet-up in the Moffatt Room (opposite the exhibition hall) on Monday 8 April, 16:40–17:10.

 

Groups of our members are also organising social events for early career microbiologists and people from certain historically marginalised groups. To find out more about the social events available, visit our website.