Annual Meeting FAQ

COVID Health & Safety Information

The health and safety of FOCIS 2022 Annual Meeting attendees remains our highest priority. To that end, FOCIS seeks to minimize the risk of infection exposure, specifically COVID-19 and its variants, by establishing health and safety protocols.

These health and safety protocols may be modified at any time by FOCIS based on its professional judgment about how best to protect the health and safety of in-person participants. Such changes will consider CDC and WHO guidance, emerging scientific evidence, and existing meeting rules and FOCIS policy. FOCIS’ health and safety protocols will also be based on federal, state, and local regulations, but FOCIS will set its own protocols based on the aforementioned input.

The San Francisco Marriott Marquis Hotel is implementing preventative measures to reduce the potential spread of the COVID-19 virus. Please refer to the San Francisco Marriott Marquis’ COVID-19 Taking Care of You page for more information about hotel policies.

Preventive measures include:

>> Attestation of COVID-19 vaccination status required for entry into the FOCIS 2022 Annual Meeting. Attendees who pre-register will verify their vaccination status when collecting their registration badges at check-in at the FOCIS 2022 Annual Meeting. A digital form will be provided with a checkbox to affirm vaccination status. Attendees with guests accompanying them will also affirm the vaccination status of their guests at this time. All attendees must be up to date with respect to their COVID-19 vaccinations. “Up to date” corresponds to the CDC recommendations in effect on May 24, 2022. “All attendees” include session attendees, speakers, sponsors, exhibitors, and staff. Proof of vaccination (cards, etc.) will not be required, although it is encouraged to carry proof of vaccination with you as local businesses may request it.

>> Masking is required in the FOCIS 2022 meeting space, session and business meeting rooms, and exhibition hall, except when actively eating or drinking. Masking is strongly recommended in all indoor and event spaces that attendees may frequent during the Annual Meeting.

>> Enhanced sanitization of meeting and exhibit spaces as executed by the hotel.

>> Sanitization of podium and microphones between presentations.

>> Hand-sanitizing stations are provided throughout the meeting space.

>> Masks and COVID-19 self-tests are available at the Registration Desk.

>> Social distancing is encouraged.

You should not attend the FOCIS 2022 Annual Meeting if you:

>> Are experiencing, or within the 10 days prior, have experienced signs and symptoms of COVID-19.

>> Believe that you may have been exposed to a confirmed or suspected case of COVID-19.

>> Have been diagnosed with COVID-19 and are not yet cleared as non-contagious by the health care team responsible for your treatment.

Conference attendees should self-monitor for signs and symptoms of COVID-19 and are asked to contact Caley Mutrie, Executive Director (cmutrie@focisnet.org), if they experience symptoms of COVID-19 within 10 days after the FOCIS 2022 Annual Meeting.

By attending the FOCIS 2022 Annual Meeting, you are acknowledging that an inherent risk of exposure to COVID-19 exists in any public place where people are present. You voluntarily assume all risks related to exposure to COVID-19 and agree not to hold the Federation of Clinical Immunology Societies (FOCIS); or any of their affiliates, directors, officers, employees, agents, contractors, or volunteers liable for any illness or injury.

If you have questions, please contact info@focisnet.org or visit the Registration Desk for assistance.

Resources:

City and County of San Francisco: https://sf.gov/topics/coronavirus-covid-19

San Francisco Marriott Marquis: https://whattoexpect.marriott.com/sfodt

San Francisco Travel COVID Testing Center (at Moscone Center): https://www.moscone.com/guidelines/covid-testing-location-moscone-south

CDC: https://www.cdc.gov/

FDA: https://www.fda.gov/emergency-preparedness-and-response/coronavirus-disease-2019-covid-19/covid-19-vaccines

WHO: https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019/covid-19-vaccines

What type of sessions are available at the FOCIS Annual Meeting and FOCISed Pre-Meeting Courses?
FOCIS offers a variety of sessions at our annual meeting that appeal to the broader immunology community.

Monday, June 20:

• Full day FOCISed courses

Tuesday, June 21:

• Full day FOCISed course
• Half day FOCISed workshop
• Members Society Symposia
• Opening Keynote
• Poster and Exhibit Hall Hours

Wednesday, June 22 – Thursday, June 23

• Plenary Sessions
• Thematic Sessions
• Oral Abstract Sessions
• Keynote Presentation
• Poster and Exhibit Hall Hours

Friday, June 24

• Plenary Sessions
• Thematic Sessions

For more details on conference sessions, please consult the full conference schedule.

What is included in my meeting registration?

All registrations (advance, late, onsite) give attendees access to the Members Society Symposia, plenary, thematic, abstract presentation, and keynote sessions. Admittance to the Poster and Exhibit Hall is also included.

Is there a digital version of the FOCIS Annual Meeting Program?
Yes. A preliminary interactive program is available, which is continuously updated up until, and through, the meeting. A final version of the program (PDF) will be posted, about 1-2 weeks before the meeting, on the interactive program page. A printed program book will also be available to all attendees onsite at the FOCIS Annual Meeting.

Click here for the FOCIS 2022 Scientific Program PDF.

Does FOCIS offer any specific networking events for attendees?
Yes. Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday nights each feature a reception in which the poster and exhibit halls will be open for perusal by attendees, and hor d’oeuvres and wine will be served.

Exclusively for FOCIS members, we offer a member lounge throughout the conference, as well as a Member Reception on Wednesday night.

Will sessions be recorded for viewing at a later date?
At this time, there are no plans to record or livestream sessions for later viewing, with the exception of four (4) Member Society Symposiums. We apologize for any inconvenience.

Is there a registration cut-off date?
You can register up until, and throughout, the FOCIS Annual Meeting. However, please note that prices increase for on-site registrants. Please refer to our registration page for more information.

Are presentation slides available for the sessions?
FOCIS does not share presentation slides for the Annual Meeting sessions. FOCISed course presentation slides will be available on the course resources page when they are available.

How do I receive a certificate of attendance?
To receive a certificate of attendance, it is required to first complete the meeting evaluation. There will be a space on the evaluation to request a certificate, and it will be provided to you within a few weeks of your submission. Certificates are created on Fridays and are not generated automatically. If needed, you can email info@focisnet.org to follow up on your request for a certificate of attendance.

How do I give feedback for the Annual Meeting?
We would love to receive your feedback! The evaluation link will be sent via email to all registrants on the last day of the conference, and it will also be found in our mobile app.

Does FOCIS 2022 registration give me access to the FOCISed pre-meeting courses?
No – courses are a separate registration and fee. Please note that two-course packages are available at a discounted rate. You can add on a one-course or two-course package to your existing FOCIS 2022 registration. Please visit the FOCISed courses webpage for more information.

Where do I access the slides for the presentations?
Slides will be available on the applicable course resource webpage. The webpage link is emailed to all course or workshop registrants before the event. Please reach out to the FOCIS Executive Office at info@focisnet.org if you are unable to locate these resources.

I am interested in attending all of the FOCISed Pre-Meeting Courses. How can I register for more than two?
Unfortunately, since the courses are scheduled concurrently, you can only attend up to two.

Are any of the FOCISed Pre-Meeting Courses being recorded or livestreamed?
No, all FOCISed courses will be held in person.

I just want to attend a FOCISed Pre-Meeting Course but I am unable to attend FOCIS 2022. Is this possible?
Yes – you are welcome to register for just a one-course or two-course package without attending the full Annual Meeting.

How do I access the abstract posters?
Posters are available for viewing on-site at the meeting. This year, unlike the previous two, we do not have an option to view the posters online. We apologize for any inconvenience.

When will the Poster Hall be open?
The poster hall will be open throughout most of FOCIS 2022, beginning the night of Tuesday, June 21, and extending through Thursday, June 23. Poster authors will be present and answer questions live on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday nights of the meeting, during the attendee receptions.

How do I know which posters are being presented each day?
Each poster is assigned a poster number beginning with a letter designation and a number (e.g. W399). The first letters indicate the presentation day (W = Wednesday, Tu = Tuesday, Th = Thursday).

I would like to search for a poster. How do I do that?
In the FOCIS 2022 mobile app, as well as our interactive program microsite, there is a search functionality that allows you to search for abstracts by poster number, author last name, and more.

Is there a list of all scientific abstracts that were submitted for the meeting?
Yes. This will be released in early June, and includes all accepted abstracts except the ones that have since been withdrawn.

Will there be an exhibit hall at the meeting?
Yes, there is a live Exhibit Hall. The Exhibit Hall will be located in Salon 9 and open the following hours:

• Tuesday, June 21: 5:30 p.m. – 7:45 p.m.
• Wednesday, June 22 and Thursday, June 23: 7:30 a.m. – 7:30 p.m.

When is the exhibit hall open?
The exhibit hall is open for the entirety of the FOCIS 2022 annual meeting, beginning on Tuesday, June 21 and extending through Thursday, June 23. The dedicated exhibit hall hours will be during the receptions on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday nights.

Is my information shared with exhibitors?
Our registration form requests permission to share your mailing address, email address, or both. If you need to make an adjustment to these permissions, please contact us.