Safety at the Meeting

Health and Wellness at the 106th Annual Meeting

From its inception, the AMS has been committed to health and safety, and we are striving to prioritize the overall wellness of presenters, attendees, exhibitors, program chairs, staff, and any volunteers who attend our meetings in-person and virtually. For the 106th Annual Meeting, the highest priority remains the health and safety of everyone attending the meeting, as well as the community of Houston, TX. AMS provides a number of resources to help promote and maintain a supportive and positive meeting environment. We encourage all meeting participants to be mindful of their fellow attendees’ physical, emotional and social well-being throughout the meeting.

We encourage you to visit the Attendee Resources section of the online program for a listing of wellness rooms and healthcare facilities.

Safety at the 106th Annual Meeting

If you are the subject of unacceptable behavior or have witnessed any such behavior, please immediately either:

If you witness or experience behavior that constitutes an immediate and serious threat, please call 911

In order to maintain a safe environment at every meeting both inside and outside, AMS recommends the following safety tips for all attendees:

  • While off-site meeting grounds, remove your badge or tuck it into your clothing so it is not visible.
  • Do not leave your badge unattended at any time. In addition, do not let anyone have access to your badge for any purpose.
  • Never give a stranger your hotel room number.
  • When out in an urban area, travel in groups or pairs.
  • Plan your route before you go so you do not get lost
  • Keep your valuables out of sight.
  • Know how to get help if you need it. 
  • Do not leave valuables in your hotel room. If you must, please use the safe in your room.
  • Remember to lock the deadbolt in your room when you are inside your room.
  • Check the lock on any rooms connecting to yours.

If there is a Security Issue during the AMS Annual Meeting, you should seek out an AMS Staff Member (identified with a blue “STAFF” ribbon on their conference badge (many Staff can be found at the AMS Registration Desk, Info Desk, or Speaker Ready Room)).

Examples of security issues, which include ANY unsafe, unruly, or disruptive behavior in the Convention Center or AMS HQ Hotel, include:

  • Disruption of a session or presentation
  • Any filming in a session room
  • Filming without permission in Exhibit Hall
  • Altercation of argument of any kind

 

First Aid- 350A 

Saturday, January 24th: 7:00 AM- 8:00 PM

Sunday, January 25th: 7:00 AM- 9:00 PM

Monday, January 26th: 7:00 AM- 9:00 PM

Tuesday, January 27th: 7:00 AM- 7:00 PM

Wednesday, January 28th: 7:00 AM- 6:30 PM

Thursday, January 29th: 7:00 PM- 5:00 PM

AMS Commitment to Participation Across the Community

AMS is committed to creating an environment at meetings that embraces all attendees through the inclusion of individuals across age, gender, race, sex, nationality, ethnicity, physical ability, marital status, sexual orientation, body shape or size, gender identity and expression, socioeconomic status, and other social characteristics or lived experiences.

Accessibility at the 106th Annual Meeting

At the core of the AMS’s mission is the personal and professional well-being of the AMS members, staff, and the communities the Society serves. The AMS is committed to creating a welcoming culture that fosters creativity, innovation, and collaboration. to view a more comprehensive list of the accessibility and inclusivity features at the 106th Annual Meeting, click here.

  • Meeting participants can share the languages they speak with a sticker for their badge.
  • Meeting participants can share their pronouns on their badge.
  • AMS has child care grants to assist Annual Meeting attendees.
  • AMS Meetings staff provide accessibility accommodations in accordance with the ADA.
  • AMS meeting space has all gender restrooms.
  • AMS has developed and continually ensures that all attendees follow its Professional and Respectful Conduct at AMS Meetings policy while attending the 106th Annual Meeting.
  • A lactation room will be available at the Convention Center.
  • The Quiet and Meditation Rooms are open to all attendees.
  • In keeping with our goal to ensure that anyone who wants to participate in the Annual Meeting can do so - the AMS supported a program to provide financial support for complimentary and reduced registration fees.
  • AMS, with guidance from the BRAID Committee on Accessibility, provides oral and poster presenters with tips to help them make their presentations accessible to all.
  • BRAID has developed a list of Presenter Accessibility Recommendations to ensure inclusivity and accessibility to all participants.
  • Attendees can follow AMSBRAID on Facebook and @amsbraid on Twitter for relevant updates and announcements.

Please reach out to Jen Ives jives@ametsoc.org (Director of Meetings) if you have any questions.