Annual Conference 2024: what we're doing to improve your experience

10 October 2023

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The Microbiology Society is a membership charity and not-for-profit publisher. We support and invest in the microbiology community for the benefit of everyone. In order to do this as effectively as possible; to seize opportunities as they arise and, to meet the ambition of our strategy 2023-2027, we are evolving.

Over the coming months our members will see several changes to our activities ranging from the delivery of our communications to the way we administer grants and how we organise events.

Our aim is to deliver the widest possible participation in our programmes and to ensure diverse representation from across our global membership. This will ensure we live up to our value to be welcoming to all and amplify the voices of all of our members, irrespective of location or career stage. 

At Annual Conference 2024 you will see some changes to the programme which are based on the feedback we have received from you, with the aim of providing a better experience for all our delegates.

Social events

  • We’ve added a welcome drinks reception on our opening evening (Monday 8 April) to provide a chance to network and to welcome anyone who has never been to Annual Conference before.
  • There will be two additional social events open to all delegates, as well as a range of member-led events and activities, including those aimed at historically marginalised communities (if you are interested in organising an event for a historically marginalised community, please email [email protected] by 30 November 2023). More information and the opportunity to sign up for social events will be available in early 2024.

The programme

  • We are increasing the length of the dedicated poster sessions so presenters have more time to talk about their work. Each poster presenter will have two hours of dedicated presentation time, with their poster on display throughout either the first or second half of the event.
  • Where possible we have moved non-scientific sessions (including professional development, publishing and member engagement) – these will take place during elongated breaks and longer lunch sessions,  to avoid clashes with the scientific sessions.
  • We have shortened the programme – the first session will be at 14.00 on Monday 8 April and the last session will finish at 12.30 on Thursday 11 April. This allows delegates more time to travel to Conference outside the weekend and evenings. We are also amending the booking options to suit the new format, removing single-day registration.
  • We are aware how popular some sessions are so this year we're asking you to register your session preferences in advance. By doing this we can do better at allocating sessions to appropriately sized rooms. However, please note that registering a preference does not guarantee your seat, so please ensure you arrive in good time for all the sessions you would like to attend.

Meeting your needs at Conference

  • We work very closely with all our venue catering teams to ensure all dietary requirements can be provided for. If Conference takes place during Ramadan, we always provide take away lunches for delegates to eat later in the day when breaking their fast. At Conference please don’t hesitate to let us know, or speak to the venue catering staff, if you can’t see your requirement signposted.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • We are introducing a phonetic name spelling option to our abstract submission process to provide guidance to session chairs when introducing speakers. If you want to provide your phonetic name spelling, further details will be provided on the abstract submission form.
  • We are aware that it can take some time to process visas, please register with enough time to ensure your visa can be processed so you can guarantee your attendance at Conference.

If you have any questions that are not covered here, please get in touch at [email protected].

Image: iStock/bnoragitt.

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