SOT 2011 General Information
Washington, D.C.—Join Your SOT Colleagues in This Beautiful and Extraordinary City.
Why Attend the Annual Meeting?
The Society of Toxicology (SOT) 50th Annual Meeting is the largest toxicology meeting and exhibition in the world, with an expected attendance of more than 7,000 scientists from academia, government, and industry from various countries around the globe. From the Plenary Opening Lecture and featured lectures to the wide range of scientific sessions and Continuing Education courses, the Annual Meeting offers an unparalleled depth of analysis and relevant toxicological issues. From basic to advanced topical issues, the thematic approach provides each attendee an opportunity to learn about emerging fields. Whether you are speaking in or chairing a session, honoring a colleague as the recipient of an SOT award, or collaborting with your peers at an SOT event, this meeting has something for every attendee. Plenary speakers include Dr. Francis Collins, Director of National Institutes of Health, Dr. Margaret Hamburg, U.S. Food and Drug Administration (U.S. FDA) Commissioner, and Lisa Jackson, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (U.S. EPA) Administrator.
The fourth plenary lecturer will be Dr. Stephen, The Gurdon Institute, who will be our annual MRC Lecturer. In addition, we have expanded the Meet the Directors series from three to six guest lecturers as requested by attendees. These Directors are Drs. Paul Anastas, U.S. EPA (invited), Linda S. Birnbaum, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Sy Garte, Center for Scientific Review, Jesse Goodman, U.S. FDA, Yvonne Maddox, National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, and John Howard, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
You Will Want to Attend Because…
Cutting-Edge Science and Innovative Perspectives
The SOT Annual Meeting provides the most complete and in-depth coverage of toxicology. The SOT Scientific Program Committee is charged with creating a thought provoking and dynamic program that captures all the latest scientific advances that have occurred during the past 12 months. The Committee reviews more than 2,400 abstracts to come up with a final program that is novel, multi-dimensional and comprehensive in scope.
Depth of Analysis
Six scientific themes will allow attendees to gain depth of analysis:
- Emerging Global Public Health Issues
- Environment and Disease
- Global Air Quality and Human Health
- Intergration of Toxicological and Epidemiological Evidence to Understand Human Risk
- Novel Approaches to Preclinical Safety Assessment: Bridging the Gap between Discovery and the Clinic through Translational Toxicology
- Toxicity Testing: State of Science and Strategies to Improve Public Health.
The Continuing Education courses highlight three additional target areas:
- Cardiovascular Toxicology
- Epigenetic Mechanisms
- Systems Biology.
Untold Networking Opportunities
The five days that attendees participate in Annual Meeting, SOT offers a wide range of networking opportunities for everyone. In a congenial and welcoming atmosphere, Annual Meeting attendees can join in deliberations about the latest scientific research, meet old friends during the receptions and luncheons, make new friends while you visit the ToxExpo™, or attend one of the many scientific sessions throughout the week.
A Global Audience
The Annual Meeting and ToxExpo™ attract not only a broad attendance from the U.S., but also from the global community with nearly 20% international attendees. Scientists from as far away as Australia, China, and Egypt come to the United States to participate in this event, exchanging lessons learned and sharing scientific findings and novel approaches with other toxicologists.
Value
The SOT Annual Meeting is cost-effective, with low registration fees, minimal travel to Washington, D.C., for many, inexpensive high-quality Continuing Education courses, and exposure to the very latest advances in science. International attendees benefit from the good exchange rate.
Why Attend ToxExpo™?
An Exhibition Extraordinaire
ToxExpo™ is the profession’s largest trade show of its kind anywhere. Attendees and exhibitors from around the globe gather to exchange ideas and debut cutting-edge products, services, and technologies. Toxicologists and industry professionals have the unparalleled opportunity to gain first-hand knowledge on the latest advances from more than 350 exhibitors during this unique three-day exhibition.
The following are the exhibit hours for the 2011 ToxExpo™ in Washington, D.C.:
| Monday |
9:00 AM–4:30 PM |
| Tuesday |
8:30 AM–4:30 PM |
| Wednesday |
8:30 AM–4:30 PM |
New this year: ToxExpo™ time!—In addition to the standard Exhibit Hall hours and poster presentation times, one hour of dedicated ToxExpo™ Time has been allotted in the scientific program for attendees to visit with exhibitors. ToxExpo™ Time will take place on Monday, March 7, from 1:00 PM–2:00 PM.
ToxExpo™ is available all year. Visit the ToxExpo™ Web site for the latest in toxicology-related products and services. The Web site offers access 24/7, 365 days per year, to resources for toxicologists worldwide. ToxExpo™ is a valuable tool for the policymaker, scientist, student, or anyone who is looking for the best that toxicology has to offer.
Daily Access All Year
ToxExpo™ continues throughout the year. Visit ToxExpo.com for all your toxicology-related science information and data as well as information about current exhibitors. The site offers access 24/7, 365 days per year to resource for toxicologists worldwide. ToxExpo™ is a rich resource for the working scientist, the decision maker, the student—anyone looking for the best products and services that toxicology has to offer.
A Great Opportunity for Exhibitors
We’ve got the Numbers You Want
We are expecting to attract more than 7,000 scientists and researchers to attend SOT’s 50th Anniversary Annual Meeting and ToxExpo™. What better opportunity to…
- meet face-to-face.
- build relationships with new prospects.
- network with other exhibiting companies.
New Faces/New Leads
Research shows that 55% of the professional toxicologists who will attend the 2011 Annual Meeting and ToxExpo™ did not attend the 2010 Meeting in Salt Lake, Utah.
On-Line Marketplace at ToxExpo.com
ToxExpo™ exhibitors are listed on-line year around to increase your visibility and exposure to your target audience. It’s a rich resource for all the services and products toxicologists need throughout the year.
A Global Audience
Nearly 20% of SOT’s Annual Meeting and ToxExpo™ attendees represent scientists from countries outside the U.S. All are engaged in one or more of the following areas of research:
- Biological Modeling
- Biomarkers
- Biotechnology
- Carcinogenesis
- Cardiovascular Toxicology
- Comparative and Veterinary
- Dermal Toxicology
- Drug Discovery Toxicology
- Epigenetics
- Ethical, Legal, and Social Issues
- Food Safety
- Immunotoxicology
- In Vitro and Alternative Methods
- Inflammation and Disease
- Inhalation and Respiratory
|
- Mechanisms
- Medical Device
- Metals
- Mixtures
- Molecular Biology
- Nanotoxicology
- Neurodegenerative Disease
- Neurotoxicology
- Occupational and Public Health
- Ocular Toxicology
- Regulatory and Safety Evaluation
- Reproductive and Developmental Toxicology
- Risk Assessment
- Stem Cells
- Toxicologic and Exploratory Pathology
|
For more information on exhibiting at the largest toxicology trade show in the world, please visit ToxExpo.com, or contact Liz Kasabian at 703.438.3115 ext. 1454.
Climate
In March, Washington, D.C.’s typical temperature range is an average low of 37.4 F/3 C and an average high of 55.7 F/13.2 C. For an up-to-date, and more detailed weather forecast, visit the National Weather Service Forecast Office.
Walter E. Washington Convention Center
The SOT 50th Annual Meeting and ToxExpo™ 2011 will be held at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center. With beautiful granite, limestone and dramatic 100-foot curved glass entry, the new Washington Convention Center is an outstanding architectural and cultural treasure in a city that already harbors so many remarkable buildings. The new Washington Convention Center (opened March 2003) is located between two of the most fascinating neighborhoods in Washington, D.C.: the historic Shaw/U Street district and the revitalized downtown district.
The Walter E. Washington Convention Center contains 2.3 million total square feet with more than 700,000 square feet of prime exhibit space; 125,000 square feet of meeting space and nearly 70 meeting rooms; 52,000 square foot ballroom featuring pre-function area with breathtaking panoramic views of the D.C. skyline, including the U.S. Capitol and the Washington Monument; 44,000 square feet of name brand restaurant and retail space including Starbucks; the latest technology and telecommunications infrastructure; its own Metrorail station (subway) at Mt. Vernon Square; a rich index of green features: low emission glass that controls heat gain and loss and maximizes natural lighting; energy-conserving heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems that operate in zones; high-efficiency lighting; automatic controls on restroom fixtures; plus recycling programs and environmentally-friendly cleaning products.
The Mt. Vernon Square/7th Street—Convention Center Metro station on the Yellow and Green Lines is located only a few feet from the Convention Center’s 7th and M Streets entrance. Use the short stairway or the elevator located just inside the entrance doors to reach the concourse. Please note, however, that registration for most meetings and other events is normally reached via the Convention Center’s main entrance on Mount Vernon Place, located three blocks to the south via 7th Street.
First Aid and Security
If an emergency should occur while at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center, proceed directly to the nearest house phone, located throughout the facility and located in most meeting rooms, and dial 3333 for security. You will be connected directly to the 24-hour manned security department at the Convention Center. From your cell phone, dial 202.249.3333 which will connect directly to security.
A First Aid room will be located in Exhibit Hall D and accessible from inside the hall and from the loading dock.
The First Aid Administrator will be on duty:
| Sunday |
7:00 AM–8:00 PM |
| Monday |
7:00 AM–8:00 PM |
| Tuesday |
6:30 AM–10:00 PM |
| Wednesday |
6:30 AM–8:00 PM |
| Thursday |
6:30 AM–12:00 NOON |
Please note that in accordance with the District of Columbia regulations, the First Aid Administrator is not permitted to dispense any medication.
Our first priority is safety. The best way to stay safe is to be aware of your surroundings and to avoid situations where you feel uncomfortable.
Accessibility for Persons with Disabilities
The Walter E. Washington Convention Center and most of the SOT hotels (with the exception of the Eldon Suites and Henley Park Hotel) are accessible to persons with disabilities. If you require special services, please mark the appropriate box on the Annual Meeting Registration Form.
LSA Interpretation Services
800.305.9673 | www.lsaweb.com
Language Services Associates is a nationwide full service firm providing translators and interpreters in 180 languages.
Scooter Rentals—Scoot Around
888.441.7575 | www.scootaround.com
Sign Language Associates
301.946.9710 | E-mail: info@signlanguage.com
If you require more information about special needs, please contact Heidi Prange at SOT Headquarters: 703.438.3115 ext. 1424.
Child Care
Parents who require child care during the SOT convention may make arrangements by calling your hotel concierge who will be able to assist you with recommendations for child care services.
Attire
The official attire for the Annual Meeting is business casual. No coat or tie is required! We encourage you to bring comfortable clothing and shoes. Because meeting rooms may seem cold, please bring a sweater or jacket and/or dress in layers.
Badges
Annual Meeting attendees who register by January 21, 2011, will receive badges and registration materials in the mail. Attendees who already have their 2011 Annual Meeting badges, do not need to stand in the registration line. If you have registered by the meeting date and have NOT received your badge by mail, or need a replacement badge, go to the “Badge Pick Up Only” registration counter to pick up your badge.You will be asked to show a photo ID.
All on-site badges will be issued on gold badge paper to assist with the registration auditin process.
If you have not registered for the meeting before you arrive in D.C., please complete the on-site Registration Form found at the kiosks in the registration area and proceed to the appropriate registration line.
All attendees should stop by the registration area to pick up their Registration Materials.
Business Center
Walter E. Washington Convention Center Business Center
801 Mount Vernon Place NW
Located on Level 1 of the Covention Center
Tel: 202.289.5233
Fax: 202.289.0299
info@capitalbusinesscenter.com
Social Events
The SOT Annual Meeting hosts several social events for student and postdoctoral fellows. For a full listing of events please visit the Social Events section of the Annual Meeting Web site.
Receipt of the Program and The Toxicologist
- SOT Members in the U.S. and Canada will receive the printed Program
and The Toxicologist on CD ROM (with Itinerary Planner) prior to the meeting, as will U.S. and Canadian non-members who pre-register by January 21, 2011.
- Non-members in the U.S. who register after January 21 will receive the Program and The Toxicologist on CD ROM (with Itinerary Planner) at the registration area on-site.
- In 2011, registrants will receive the Annual Meeting abstracts in The Toxicologist on CD-ROM as part of the Annual Meeting registration fee. Annual Meeting attendees may purchase a printed version of The Toxicologist 2011 for $20 per copy. You may preorder on the registration form and pick up a copy on-site or wait to purchase a copy on-site (available until supplies last). The Toxicologist will be available for download (February 2011) free of charge.
- The Annual Meeting Itinerary Planner is available on the SOT Web site January–April.
- There will be computer kiosks set up in the Exhibit Hall to search The Toxicologist on CD ROM at the Annual Meeting.
Annual Meeting Sponsorship
Meeting Sponsorship
The Society would like to invite your organization to be a sponsor of the 2011 Annual Meeting. SOT appreciates the generous contributions of sponsors that make the SOT Annual Meeting possible. Sponsor names are prominently displayed on the Annual Meeting Web site, as well as in print materials that are distributed before and during the Annual Meeting. Sponsorship is also recognized through signage displayed around the Convention Center during the Annual Meeting.
There are four levels of sponsorship available: Diamond ($10,000 or more), Platinum ($5,000–$9,999), Gold ($2,500–$4,999), and Silver ($1,000–$2,499).
View the Annual Meeting Sponsorship Opportunities for more detailed information, or contact Liz Kasabian at 703.438.3115 ext. 1454.
2011 Annual Meeting Sponsors
ToxExposure Sponsorship
The goal of ToxExpo’s management team is to make sure that you make the most of your presence at the exhibition. ToxExpo™ is the largest event of its kind and being part of the show is only half of the solution. Marketing plans need to be well-thought out with a strategy that includes pre- and post-show promotions for you to reach your return on investment and drive attendees out of the aisles and into your booth.
You will find an entire menu of sponsorship opportunities designed to assist your organization in establishing a leadership position in the 2011 exhibition.
To help you get the most out of your marketing dollars, contact Liz Kasabian at 703.438.3115 ext. 1454.
Career Resource and Development Services
The Society is committed to providing SOT members with a unique and effective way to locate a position that matches your skills and training. To help you reach this objective, the Society provides the Career Resource and Development (CRAD) on-line Job Bank and on-site Job Bank Center. These services along with others, are offered free of charge to all SOT members.
SOT’s on-line Job Bank makes it easy for candidates and employers alike to access the CRAD service. Registrations are continuously processed and valid for six months. Once registered, candidates may search the listing of available jobs and employers may browse candidate profiles. During the registration period, users can update their listings or search the database as often as they wish. Communication with a desired employer or candidate can even be made via e-mail messages created within the system.
The CRAD service is an important part of the Annual Meeting, providing a coordinated service for information regarding career opportunities and qualified candidates. Please do your job and candidate searches before you arrive at the meeting. Access to the Job Bank in the Convention Center will be limited to the availability of 3–4 computers at the meeting. Employers and candidates will have access to computers, but computer use will be restricted to short searches for updates or new information.
Although pre-registration is encouraged, registrations will be accepted at the Annual Meeting. All users with current registrations at the time of the Annual Meeting will be permitted to use the service.
For additional information contact John Bae at 703.438.3115 ext. 1660.
Lunch with an Expert
Date and time varies by group (Meet at the Bulletin Board in Registration Area)
This event is an informal gathering of a small group of students and a Toxicology Expert. Sign up via the Lunch with an Expert section of the SOT Web site. The groups are matched by research interests and the Expert for each group identifies a time and place to assemble. Details for the group meeting will be sent advance of meeting.
Internet Access at the Convention Center
SOT knows the importance of staying connected to your daily activities while attending the Annual Meeting and provides you several ways to access the Internet while at the Walter E. Washingotn Convention Center.
Computers with Internet Access/E-mail Center
SOT will provide computers you can use to access the Internet. These computers are available to attendees in the E-mail Center located in the registration area.
Free Wireless Internet Access
Free wireless Internet access is available through open “WiFi Zones” in designated areas in the Exhibit Hall that are clearly marked for laptop and handheld users.
Free wireless Internet access is also available in the complimentary Convention Center Connect Lounges located in the Grand Lobby, Concourse A, Concourse B, Metro Entrance, L Street Entrance near rooms 156 and 140, across from 143C, Uptown Cafe and Downtown Cafe, and 2nd and 3rd floor Wing seating areas.
Secure Wireless Internet Access
The Walter E. Washington Convention Center WiFi is a self-service wireless network that is available to all event attendees. The cost is $24.95 per day based on a 24-hour time frame, and can be purchased directly from any wireless capable computer. This service allows Internet in the public space and meeting rooms only, but not, in the Exhibit Hall.
To access Internet in non-WiFi Zones in the Exhibit Hall, meeting rooms, and public space, the cost is $16.95 per hour or $99 per day.
Lost and Found
Lost and found articles may be taken to the SOT Headquarters Office, in the Walter E. Washington Convention Center. Any items left in the SOT Headquarters Office after 11:30 AM, Thursday, March 10 will be deposited in the Security Office at the Convention Center.
Luggage/Coat Check
For your convenience, a coat/luggage check will be available in the Washington Convention Center near the Grand Lobby in the West Registration area on Level 1. The coat/luggage check will be open Sunday, March 6 through Thursday, March 10. There will be a fee of $3 per item checked. Laptops, cameras, and other electronics will not be accepted.
Hours of operation:
| Sunday |
7:00 AM–8:00 PM |
| Monday |
7:00 AM–8:00 PM |
| Tuesday |
6:00 AM–10:00 PM |
| Wednesday |
6:00 AM–8:00 PM |
| Thursday |
6:00 AM–1:00 PM |
Coat/luggage check hours are subject to change.
Media Support Services
The Society of Toxicology (SOT) welcomes accredited representatives of Media Organizations. Journalist receive complimentary credentials for all meeting sessions as well as media kits. Interviews can be arranged with Council, members, and speakers. A press room will be available for reporters. For more information on how to register for the Annual Meeting, visit the Just for the Media section of the Web site. For more information about the program and room location, please contact:
Martha Lindauer
SOT Headquarters: 703.438.3115
Photography Policy and Session Etiquette for Attendees
Out of courtesy for the scientific presenters, we appreciate your compliance with the following policies:
- Cell phones and other electronic devices should be set on mute.
- Electronic capture of scientific sessions by any method is prohibited.
- Children under the age of 15 are not allowed in scientific sessions unless the session chair gives consent.
Session Chairs are asked to strictly enforce these policies and individuals who do not comply will be asked to leave the session.
- Photography of poster presentations is prohibited without the specific consent of the presenter(s)/author(s).
- Children under the age of 15 are prohibited from accessing the Exhibit Hall at any time.
If you have any questions regarding these polices, please contact the SOT Headquarter staff at the Registration Desk.
Poster Printing Service
SOT is pleased to offer our poster presenters this new convenient service through Shepard Exposition Services, the official general service contractor for the Annual Meeting. No need to worry about traveling with your poster or having your poster lost in shipping. Simply fill out the on-line form, e-mail or upload your poster using the link provided, review and approve the final layout of your poster, and then pick up your poster on-site. Shepard will produce the materials for a reasonable price, which will include produc- tion, transportation, and storage for the show. It’s as simple as that! Please call 410.737.9270 or send an e-mail to rstaub@shepardes.com for more information. More information and the order form can also be found on the SOT Web site.
SOT Headquarters Office
The SOT Headquarters Office is located in the Walter E. Washington Convention Center.
SOT Headquarters Office hours:
| Saturday |
4:00 PM–7:00 PM |
| Sunday |
7:00 AM–5:30 PM |
| Monday |
7:00 AM–5:00 PM |
| Tuesday |
7:00 AM–4:30 PM |
| Wednesday |
7:00 AM–4:30 PM |
| Thursday |
7:00 AM–11:30 AM |
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