Press Credentials

Press credentials to cover the 2004 Clinical Congress of the American College of Surgeons will be granted to individuals who meet the appropriate criteria set forth by the College.

As in past years, press credentials will be issued under two categories: "Press" and "Commercial Press." Please read the criteria for both categories carefully to ensure you apply for press credentials under the appropriate category.

I. Press

A. Credentials

1. Only representatives of the following media will be registered:

a. General circulation newspapers or magazines

b. Medical or health care publications

c. Broadcast media or online news services

2. Press representatives from publications must represent the editorial staff. Their publications must present editorial content that focuses on the clinical or socioeconomic issues in the health care field. They must present a business card that lists their editorial title or a publication with an editorial byline upon checking in at the ACS Press Room. Advertising, marketing, or public relations representatives from publications or commercial manufacturing firms will not be registered as members of the press. In most instances, these individuals may still attend the Congress under the "Commercial" registrants' category if they meet the appropriate criteria. No exceptions will be made. The ACS considers publishers to be part of the editorial staff.

3. Freelancers must produce a letter of assignment from a medium such as those listed above. Freelancers who wish to attend the meeting without a specific editorial assignment must present credentials indicating membership in a recognized professional communications association, or submit published samples of their work along with appropriate identification. Freelancers who wish further interpretation of this policy are encouraged to contact the ACS Manager of Public Information prior to the meeting.

B. Press credentials to cover the ACS Annual Clinical Congress will be granted to three individuals from any one publication, publication group, or electronic media outlet. The deadline for advance registration for the domestic "Press" category is September 15, 2004. Publications desiring to send additional representatives or broadcast media requiring the assistance of additional staff must contact the ACS Manager of Public Information either before the meeting or in the Clinical Congress Press Room at the Morial Convention Center in New Orleans.

II. Commercial Press

A. Credentials

1. The commercial press category encompasses those writers and editors who attend the Clinical Congress to highlight the activities of health care manufacturers and who represent publications that are circulated among the medical manufacturing industry and the business community. Business, medical device, and manufacturing publications that do not contain editorial content related to the clinical or socioeconomic issues presented at the meeting fall into the category of "commercial press" publications.

2. Commercial press members must be a member of the editorial staff of the publications they represent. They must present a business card that lists their editorial title or a publication with their editorial byline upon checking in at the ACS Press Room. Advertising, marketing, or public relations representatives from commercial manufacturing firms will not be registered as members of the press; however, they may register in the "Commercial" registrants' category if they meet the appropriate criteria.

B. Staffing

Commercial Press credentials to cover the ACS Clinical Congress will be issued to all individuals from a publication or publication group who meet the appropriate criteria.

The advance registration fee for a commercial press representative is $440. The registration fee must be received on or before August 26 for International registrants, on or before August 27 for attendees from the U.S. and Canada. After that time, the Commercial Press registration fee will be $490. Advance registration is encouraged. Commercial press members who register onsite must register in the general registration area of the convention center for a fee of $490.

III. General Conditions

A. Press representatives may cover all scientific events occurring during the Clinical Congress with the exception of the Postgraduate Courses. Special reservations to attend courses on a first-come first-served basis must be made with a member of the ACS Press Room staff.

B. Any individual with a press badge who violates the criteria set forth for press attendees will immediately forfeit press credentials for this and subsequent meetings. Specifically, members of the press are considered to be in violation of ACS policy if:

1. They sell, market, or represent a company for the purpose of obtaining advertising or subscriptions from any registrant or exhibitor.

2. They secure a press badge for the express purpose of marketing a product or service displayed on the ACS exhibit floor.

3. They are found to have misrepresented themselves (ie: name or editorial title) upon checking in to secure press credentials to cover the meeting.

C. ACS Press Room staff reserve the right to reclassify onsite any press attendee who has preregistered under the wrong category.

Clinical Congress Press Information