LABORATORY ANIMAL SCIENCE ASSOCIATION Information Booklet Platinum Sponsors: Gold Sponsor: Silver Sponsors: Bonze Sponsors:
Welcome! We would like to thank LASA s team of Meeting Section Conveners for putting together a really exciting scientific programme which promises something of interest to everyone. Our Annual Conference would not be possible without the generous sponsorship provided by all the companies and organisations who support LASA. I am sure you will be pleased to learn that because of this support we are once again able to offer a poster completion prize and retain the day registration discount of 50 for attendance by two delegates from the same Institution, both of which we hope will encourage and allow more delegates to join us. With this letter LASA is delighted to provide you with more detail about the Conference content, we encourage you to take a sneak preview. Please let us know if you find having this level of detail in advice of the Conference is helpful. We are confident that the excellent and spacious facilities provided by the Birmingham venue will once again provide the ideal setting for our trade colleagues to show and discuss with you all that is new and exciting. We encourage you to take advantage of this opportunity to explore the trade stands and meet with their representatives while they are all under one roof. We are confident that you will find ideas which will further enhance the welfare, care and use of animals within your establishments. You will also note that our Trade partners will also be running parallel workshops and will be giving presentations this is a new idea we are trying for the first time this year. If you have any ideas or thoughts about the meeting, please speak to Stuart Lamming from the LASA Secretariat. We are always happy to hear new ideas and topics you would like to see at future meetings. The support given to LASA by Stuart and colleagues from Agenda continues to grow each year and they have been invaluable in putting together the organisation of this meeting. Anne-Marie Farmer, President Angela Kerton, Chair of Scientific Programme 2
Key Dates Early booking discount deadline 5 th October 2018 Posters abstract deadline 22 nd October 2018 Registration deadline 19 th November 2018 Bursary Applications deadline 3 rd September 2018 Conference dates 27 th November 29 th November 2018 Programme Key Notes Social Programme On Tuesday evening there will be a Trade Reception with wine, which will be followed by a buffet dinner, providing an opportunity to catch up with colleagues. On Wednesday, a wine reception will precede the Gala Dinner, at which there will be the presentation of awards and prizes, followed by live entertainment. Poster Exhibition Throughout the meeting there will be a poster exhibition open to all contributions relevant to LASA s aims. Prizes will be awarded to the best original poster and the best poster from a new presenter. Details are included in the Call for Posters advert. Registration & Accommodation All delegates must pay the relevant registration fee. Please note there is a reduction in this fee if booked and paid for before 5 th October 2018. Accommodation will be allocated on a single occupancy basis. There are a limited number of twin-bed rooms available at a slightly lower cost per person. All bookings for accommodation at the venue for this event must go through LASA Secretariat. Residential booking Residential packages may be booked for one or two nights; please refer to the booking form. Residential rates cover registration, accommodation, all meals and refreshment breaks. Day delegates Pre-booking is required. Day delegate fees cover registration, refreshment breaks and lunch on Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday. Dinner on Tuesday and Wednesday is not included for day delegates. A 50 discount may be applied when two delegates from the same establishment book day attendance. 3
Venue & Travel information We would advise early booking as all delegates will be accommodated at the conference venue. Group Check-in will be available at the hotel reception from 15:00. WIFI is complimentary up to 128 kb/s speed up to 200 Mb download. Parking is available at the hotel and is chargeable. If you have questions or particular requirements about transport or the accommodation, please contact the Secretariat who will do their best to answer your questions without compromising security. Bursaries LASA has a generous bursary fund which may be able to support first-time attenders at the meeting. The cut-off date for bursary applications for this meeting is 3 rd September 2018. Please see the LASA website for details and application forms. Safety and Security LASA aims to ensure minimum disruption and maximum safety and security for delegates, therefore we appreciate your co-operation with the following: Joining instructions will not be sent out until closer to the event date Limited details of the venue will be circulated prior to the meeting No delegates will be allowed to register at the meeting 4
Terms & Conditions Booking Conditions Delegates can only be registered by completing the appropriate form(s). A method of payment must accompany the booking form, otherwise booking will not be confirmed. Further forms can be obtained from the Secretariat or the website. Telephone bookings and reservations will not be accepted. All payments must be made before the first day of the conference. Late bookings must be paid in full by credit/debit card. The meeting is open to members and non-members of LASA. No contact with the venue will be made by any delegate. All contact must go through LASA Secretariat (except where authorised by LASA Secretariat). Cancellation Policy All cancellations must be received in writing. There is no penalty for cancellation before 14 th September 2018. All fees will be refunded. Cancellation after 14 th September 2018 and on or before 19 th October 2018 will incur a cancellation charge of 50% of the total cost. After 19 th October 2018, no requests for refunds will be accepted and any outstanding remittance must be paid. Bona fide substitute delegates may be accepted in exceptional circumstances. In the event of the whole meeting being cancelled by LASA, full refunds will be issued. In the event of extreme weather conditions, natural disasters or acts of God where LASA cannot be held liable, there will be no refunds issued. Booking confirmation is sent out on receipt of application. Details of the venue will be sent, together with the joining instructions, in early November. Fully itemised VAT invoices will be issued. All communication must be made through the LASA Secretariat. LASA, PO Box 524, Hull, HU9 9HE. Telephone: 08456 711956 Int l Telephone: +44 1964 670942 e-mail: info@lasa.co.uk 5