FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What societies are meeting during PAS 2021?

• The PAS Meeting is produced through a partnership of four pediatric organizations that are leaders in the advancement of pediatric research and child advocacy, in collaboration with a number of Alliance and Affiliate supporters. Click here for more information.

Do I have to be a member of a society to attend?

• No, however, registration fees are reduced for members of AAP, APA, APS, ASPN, PIDS, and SPR.

How can I become a member of one of the host societies and receive discounted registration fees and other member benefits?

• You must apply for membership with the desired society. Please contact the society office directly as each society handles membership differently. Click here for Partner and Alliance society information.

I submitted an abstract; do I also need to pay to register for the meeting?

• Yes, all attendees need to register for the meeting. Submission of an abstract does not include registration for the PAS 2021 Meeting.

Can I connect with other attendees?

• Yes. We are building in networking times so attendees can connect with one another.

How do I access all the conference content, both during and after the event?

• You will access all content via the virtual meeting platform.

REGISTRATION

When will registration open?

• Registration dates will be announced in the fall.

Are there 1-day passes to attend the meeting?

• PAS meeting does not offer 1-day registration passes.

Do I qualify as a trainee?

• You may register as a trainee if you are currently in a residency or fellowship program, or you are still a student (high school, undergrad, or graduate level). Post-doctoral positions do not qualify for trainee registration.

If I am an abstract presenter at the PAS Meeting, do I still need to register?

• Yes, all abstract presenters are required to register for the PAS Meeting.

Where can I obtain a Certificate of Attendance?

• You can print your Certificate of Attendance on the Registration page.

How can I get my past years’ Certificates of Attendance?

• You can get the previous five years Certificate of Attendance on the Registration page.

PROGRAM – GENERAL

What types of sessions will the meeting include?

• Session types can be found here: PAS Program Sessions

How can I find out more about the PAS 2021 Virtual program?

• We will share more details as the virtual program develops.

How can I view the abstracts before the meeting?

• Abstracts will be available on the PAS 2021 Virtual website in March.

How many CME credits is it possible to earn by attending PAS 2021 Virtual and how do I claim them?

• The total number of CME and MOC2 credits will be listed on the virtual meeting website in advance of the meeting.

SCHOLARLY SESSION, WORKSHOP, AND ANCILLARY EVENT SUBMITTERS

When can I submit my Scholarly Session, SIG, Workshop, or Ancillary Event?

• The Call for Scholarly Sessions, Workshops, and SIGs opens on September 9, 2020, and closes October 6, 2020 (11:59 pm EST). Ancillary Events can be submitted from September 9, 2020, to March 1, 2021. Click here for more details.

Where do I go to submit a session or workshop?

• Go to the PAS Program and Events Center to make your submission. You can save your submission as a draft and come back to finish it later. The Call for Scholarly Sessions and Workshops opens September 9, 2020, and closes October 6, 2020 (11:59 pm EST).

How do I indicate my Scholarly Session is cross-disciplinary?

• Choose a session type first (like Hot Topic Symposia), then use Tracks to tag the desired Learning Pathway, along with specific research fields. More information about Learning Pathways is available here.

How long will Scholarly Sessions and Workshops be in the PAS 2021 Virtual format?

• Scholarly Sessions should not exceed 90 minutes, 120 minutes for Workshops.

When will Scholarly Sessions be presented?

• All Scholarly Sessions will be held during the PAS 2021 Kick-off, Saturday, May 1–Tuesday, May 4, 2021. Further PAS sessions will follow on May 10-June 4.
• Because all presentations will be required to prerecord, Scholarly Sessions can use the full 90 minutes for speaking time. We will work with all submitters on how Q&A will be included, whether by live stream or Q&A after the 90 mins.

When will Workshops be presented?

• With a few exceptions, Workshops will be held Monday, May 10–Friday, June 4, during PAS 2020 Phase II. Workshops are limited to 120 minutes.

Will participants be able to register for workshops in advance?

• The official PAS registration process will not include individual workshop registration, but we will provide a way for PAS registered attendees to RSVP for workshops once the final workshop schedule is in place.

Will there be virtual breakout rooms available for workshops?

• The PAS programming team will work closely with each workshop organizer to build virtual breakout room attendance and maximum participation numbers.

Will the workshop lead have access to the registration list so that virtual breakout groups can be organized in advance?

• We are currently working with our virtual platform vendor to determine how best to pre-assign breakouts while being mindful of PAS privacy policies. More to come on this.

Will there be a maximum number of participants?

• Yes, workshop leaders can set a maximum number of participants; PAS staff will work with leaders of accepted workshops on these details.

What happens after my Scholarly Session is selected?

• Session submitters will be notified by Nov. 13, 2020. If selected, all speakers will be required to confirm participation, including pre-recording their presentation. All presenters will need to register for the PAS 2021 Virtual Meeting.
• The presentation format and type will be confirmed in March 2021.
• All speakers will pre-record their presentations in the virtual platform in March-April 2021.

Certain format types will require active participation on the day of presentation.

What happens after my Workshop is selected?

• Session submitters will be notified by mid-December 2020. If selected, all speakers will be required to confirm participation, including pre-recording their presentation, if applicable. All presenters will need to register for the PAS 2021 Virtual Meeting.
• The presentation format and type will be confirmed in March 2021.

I submitted a session but need to make a change. How do I do this?

• Before the submission deadline: You can make changes to your own submitted session until the submission deadline. Access the submission site, scroll down to your submitted session, and click on “Return to Draft.” Make the desired changes and be sure to re-submit before the deadline.
• After the submission deadline: While we realize some changes are inevitable, we urge you to work with your potential speakers and participants to confirm their availability and presentation information prior to submission. After the deadline, use the Change Tracker Request link to alert PAS staff to changes.

ABSTRACTS

When can I submit my abstract?

• The Call for Abstracts TENTATIVELY opens Nov. 10, 2020, and the deadline is Jan. 5, 2021 at 11:59 pm EST.

Where do I go to submit an abstract?

• Go to the PAS Program and Events Center to make your submission. You can save your abstract as a draft and come back to finish it later. The submission site opens Nov. 10, 2020. Step-by-step instructions are available here.

What is the fee to submit an abstract?

• The fee for abstracts is $90. There are no late-breaking abstracts in 2021. Please note abstract submission fees are nonrefundable and are separate from registration fees.

Does the fee apply to all submissions or only if accepted?

• The submission fee is required for all abstracts. The submission cannot be finalized without it.

What are the abstract submission topics?

• To view the abstract submission topics, please click here.

I submitted an abstract but need to make a change. How do I do this?

• Before the submission deadline: You can make changes to your own submitted abstract until the submission deadline. Access the submission site, scroll down to your submitted abstract and click on “Return to Draft.” Make the desired changes and be sure to re-submit before the deadline. No additional fee is required for changes to abstracts.
• After the submission deadline: After the deadline, PAS staff are not able to make changes to abstracts, including adding authors. If your abstract is accepted for presentation, please include the additional author information in your virtual presentation.

Will there be late-breaking abstracts this year?

• There are no late-breaking abstract submissions for 2021.

Are Case Studies accepted?

• Historically, abstracts accepted for presentation are hypothesis-driven new work. Abstracts rarely accepted for presentation include single case reports, open-label drug trials, highly speculative accounts of clinical experience, and op-ed accounts of personal experience. Interim results from an ongoing clinical trial will not be accepted for presentation unless the study has been prematurely closed for lack of efficacy or for safety issues.

What is the word or character count for submitted abstracts?

• The character count is 2,600 and includes spaces and titles, but it does not include author names, figures, and tables.

Can abstracts be presented at the PAS Meeting if they are accepted into other meetings as well?

• Abstracts submitted and/or presented at other Societies’ or national meetings within the 12 months prior to the PAS Meeting may be submitted to the PAS Meeting for consideration. Please refer to the PAS Academic Ethics Policy.

Can I resubmit my abstract from PAS 2020?

• Abstracts can be updated and resubmitted as long as they haven’t been published in manuscript form. Acknowledgment of previous presentations at a conference should be indicated during submission.

Can individuals submit more than one abstract?

• There is no limit on the number of abstracts submitted by each author, but the submission of multiple, redundant or highly similar abstracts with only minimal changes in the abstract title or minor changes in data analysis from the same investigator(s) or laboratory is strongly discouraged. Such submissions may result in rejection of all abstracts that are deemed to be in violation of PAS guidelines; rejection may occur prior to, during, or after review, even if submitted to different topical categories. Please refer to the PAS Academic Ethics Policy.

When/how do I complete by disclosure?

• The disclosure form is part of the account creation process when making an account to submit an abstract. All authors cited in abstracts must log in to the PAS Program and Events Center (PPEC) and complete Conflict of Interest Disclosures (COI). The abstract’s submitting author should alert her/his colleagues about this requirement. The abstract may be submitted before all disclosures are completed, but COI disclosures for each author must be completed by January 15, 2021.

Why do all authors need to complete disclosures?

• PAS requires everyone in a position to control the content of an educational activity (i.e., directors, planning committee members, faculty, authors) to disclose any relevant financial relationships with commercial interests (drug/device companies) and manage/resolve any conflicts of interest prior to the activity. Individuals must disclose to participants the existence or non-existence of financial relationships: 1) at the time of the activity or within 12 months prior; and 2) of their spouses/partners.
• In addition, PAS requests faculty/presenters to disclose to participants any unlabeled use or investigational use of pharmaceutical/device products; to use scientific or generic names (not trade names) in referring to products; and, if necessary to use a trade name, to use the names of similar products or those within a class. Faculty/presenters have also been requested to adhere to the
  ACCME’s validation of clinical content statements.

Can figures be in color?

• Yes, colored figures are acceptable.

How many figures can be uploaded?

• A submitter can upload a total of four images. Please create tables in a separate program and then submit them as an image.

How many figures can be uploaded?

• A submitter can upload a total of four images. Please create tables in a separate program and then submit them as an image.

How do I apply for an award?

• During the abstract submission phase, select an Award from the list, complete the respective award application, and upload all required supplemental materials.

Does the abstract submitter also have to be an author for the abstract?

• No, the person who submits an abstract does not have to be one of the authors. Make sure to remove the name of the submitter (it will populate automatically) and designate the presenting author.

My abstract was not accepted. Can I get a refund of the submission fee?

• The admission fee for abstracts is not refundable.

How do I contact ScholarOne Tech Support?

• Phone: + 1 888-503-1050 / Email: s1abstractshelp@clarivate.com; Monday-Friday 12AM – 8:30PM ET. Closed December 25 and January 1.

How can I view my past abstracts?

• You can view your abstracts for 2017, 2018, 2019, and 2020 on the PAS Meeting site.

ABSTRACTS: REVIEW/NOTIFICATION

Are abstracts submitted to PAS peer-reviewed?

• Yes, all abstracts are reviewed by groups of volunteer reviewers under the oversight of the PAS Program Committee. All decisions regarding abstracts are final, including acceptance, rejection, and placement into a platform or poster session.

What is the typical abstract acceptance rate?

• In general, 75-80% of abstracts are accepted.

When will a submitter find out if an abstract was accepted?

• The notification date is February 19, 2021. An email is sent to all co-authors and a second email to the person listed as the presenting author, who will receive the invitation for the platform or poster presentation.

What if I don’t receive an email about my abstract?

• If you are the submitter of the abstract and don’t receive a notification by Feb. 19, 2021, please contact your co-authors first. The firewalls of some institutions often block PAS emails and a co-author may have received the notification. If not, please contact the PAS program office at info@pas-meeting.org.

How do I accept my presentation?

• Log in to your PAS Program and Events Center (PPEC) account, click on “Messages” then select “Invitations.” From the drop-down menu next to the invitation, select “View & Respond,” and click on the “+” next to “Session Information.”

PAS 2021 Virtual will use a digital platform to deliver a world-class interactive scholarly program. Check back later for additional guidance about presentations.

If selected to present, how long will my presentation be?

• Details of each individual presentation time will be sent to individual presenters as we build our virtual program. Please note: If your session is selected, we will work with you on final details to ensure the best possible session for a virtual environment. If a session will be recorded the day of, the presenters agree to be available during the broadcast and agree to be recorded.

If I am an abstract presenter at the PAS meeting, do I still need to register?

• Yes, all abstract presenters are required to register for the PAS Meeting.

What if I am unable to present?

• You may ask another co-author on the abstract to present for you. Please access the Change Tracker Request form to make the request.

The wrong person is listed as the presenting author. How do I change this?

• Please use the Change Tracker Request form to alert PAS staff to changes.

What are the dates of the virtual conference?

•  The PAS 2021 meeting will run from April 30 – May 4, 2021. Please check back for more updates.

What are the elements in the virtual booth?

• Exhibitors participating in the PAS Virtual Exhibit Hall will receive a profile that includes a company logo, description, contact information, resource handouts, and the ability to video chat directly with attendees. Booth traffic add-ons and other marketing resources will be available a-la-carte later in the Fall.  

How do I upload the elements to my virtual booth?

• The exhibitor portal will be available for you to upload your materials through our virtual platform.

When can I start uploading my elements and what is the deadline to upload them?

• The exhibitor portal will be up and running by January 15^th. When it goes live, an email will be sent to exhibitors with instructions on how to log in and complete their profile. The deadline will be communicated at a later date.

Can I transfer the price of the physical booth to sponsorship or advertising opportunity?

• All funds from a physical exhibit booth can be transferred to sponsorship, advertising, and/or booth traffic boosting opportunities. We encourage all booths to take part in these opportunities to maximize their ROI. For more information and opportunities see our Prospectus.

Will there be unopposed virtual exhibit hall hours?

• Yes, there will be time allocated solely for exhibits.

How do I drive traffic to my booth?

• Booth traffic add-ons, such as videos, enhanced listings, scavenger hunts, and other marketing resources will be available a-la-carte later in the Fall.  PAS will also help in promoting the Virtual Exhibit Hall through social media and email marketing.

Will there be instruction provided to learn how to use the virtual platform?

• Yes, there will be training available for all exhibitors to be able to learn the virtual platform. More info to come in the coming months.

Will attendee information be available?

• Yes, all exhibitors will have the option to purchase lead retrieval to collect information on attendees that visit your virtual booth. Information includes name, mailing address, and email address.

Will I be able to talk directly to attendees?

• Yes, there is video chat included with all virtual exhibit booths to talk with attendees.

Who do I contact if I have questions?

Contact us at:

Carmen Beck 
Director, Resource Development
Sponsorships & Exhibits
cbeck@pasmeeting.org
832.404.2413

Kelly Schmalfeldt 
Coordinator, Resource Development
Sponsorships & Exhibits
kschmalfeldt@pasmeeting.org
832.371.6016