108th General Meeting of the American Society for Microbiology

Sponsorship Opportunities

Sponsorships - Exhibit and Corporate
Regulatory and Professional Codes
Benefits
2008 General Meetings Sponsorships
2008 Corporate Activities Program (CAP)
ASM Contacts

Sponsorships - Exhibit and Corporate

ASM offers sponsorship opportunities to corporations that want to increase their corporate or brand visibility with ASM’s meeting delegates. To avoid over commercialization of the General Meeting, ASM and the General Meeting Program Committee have limited these opportunities. Sponsorship of all items, events, or activities at the General Meeting requires ASM approval.

Sponsorship can be a corporate membership, meeting sponsorship, conference backing, award, or support for a specific educational program.

Regulatory and Professional Codes

ASM is accredited by the Accreditation Council on Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) to provide continuing education units. ACCME regulations specify the appropriate and necessary steps ASM must take to maintain its accreditation, some of which pertain to items supported by industry.

The Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA) and the Advanced Medical Technology Association (AdvaMed) have developed voluntary guidelines governing industry’s marketing relationships with healthcare professionals. If you have any questions about the PhRMA or AdvaMed guidelines, please contact your company’s legal or regulatory division.

Benefits

All meeting sponsors are announced in official meeting publications (Programs and Exhibit Guides) and on ASM’s web sites. Some sponsorships are also acknowledged on signs, on specific meeting items, and in other venues. ASM welcomes company logos and themes, and in most cases, product names.

Availability

Meeting sponsors must be exhibitors. First priority is given to members of the Corporate Activities Program; second to current sponsors. A signed Letter of Agreement (ASM’s or sponsor’s) is required. ASM must approve all artwork prior to the finalization of the sponsored item.

2008 General Meetings Sponsorships

A small, but thoughtful selection of sponsorships allows ASM to produce meetings of the highest professional and ethical standards while providing exhibitors with additional name recognition. The type of meeting sponsorship determines the public acknowledgement permissible by an ACCME accredited provider (like ASM). Material items (portfolios, coffee mugs, etc.), educational items (Abstracts on CD-ROM, Expocards, etc.), events (micro marathon, etc.), or educational programs (awards, fellows, lecturers, etc.) are publicized to the fullest extent possible.

Abstracts on CD-ROM
Fee: $55,000
Logo: General Meeting & Corporate
Producer: ASM
Sponsor Acknowledgement & Benefits: signage (sponsorship banners in prominent convention center locations), listing on web pages and in meeting programs and exhibit guides, name on the label.

Abstracts on CD-ROM provide an easily searchable compilation of all abstracts in both PC and Macintosh formats. Meeting delegates receive a voucher in their delegate portfolios to exchange at the sponsor’s booth for an Abstracts on CD-ROM.

Badge Holders
Fee: $11,000
Logo: General Meeting & Corporate
Producer: ASM
Sponsor Acknowledgement & Benefits: sponsor’s corporate name and logo on the badge holders, signage (sponsorship banners in prominent convention center locations), listing on web pages and in meeting programs and exhibit guides.

The nylon badge holder features a breakaway Velcro strap necklace, penholder, and a zippered pouch sized to hold business and credit cards. Meeting delegates receive a badge holder with their registration materials.

CD Cases
Fee: $27,000
Logo: General Meeting & Corporate
Producer: ASM
Sponsor Acknowledgement & Benefits: corporate or product name and logo on the cases and on signage (sponsorship banners in prominent convention center locations), listing on web pages and in meeting programs and exhibit guides. A one-page flyer or PI is included in the cost.

The zippered nylon case, designed to hold the Abstracts on CD-ROM, holds ten CDs or DVDs in protective slots. Meeting delegates receive a CD case with their registration materials.

Coffee Mugs
Fee: $27,000
Logo: General Meeting & Corporate or Product
Producer: ASM
Sponsor Acknowledgement & Benefits: signage (sponsorship banners in prominent convention center locations), listing on web pages and in meeting programs and exhibit guides. A one-page flyer or PI is included in the cost.

A limited number of stainless steel travel mugs are available to delegates daily in the ASM attendee lounge, located in the exhibit hall. These collectible mugs have an outer wall, color plastic liner, double wall insulation, no-slip bottom, and a slide lock lid to prevent spills. They are distributed on a first-come, first-served basis and are very popular with delegates.

E-Central - RESERVED
Fee: $25,000
Logo: General Meeting & Corporate
Producer: ASM
Sponsor Acknowledgement & Benefits: Sponsor’s message or product name on the main screen on all monitors, corporate name on E-Central banner, signage (sponsorship banners in prominent convention center locations), listing on web pages and in meeting programs and exhibit guides.

E-Central is ASM’s communication center for each of ASM’s meetings. The E-Central stations are the only locations where meeting participants can leave and retrieve messages, locate sessions by time and topic, build a conference itinerary, view and print out a list of exhibitors and/or products, send and receive e-mail, and verify and generate a continuing education certificate for physicians and other registrants who require recertification.

Expocards - RESERVED
Fee: $12,000
Logo: General Meeting & Corporate
Producer: ASM
Sponsor Acknowledgement & Benefits: corporate name and logo on the cards and signage (sponsorship banners in prominent convention center locations), listing on web pages and in meeting programs and exhibit guides.

Each attendee receives an Expocard containing their name, address, and demographic information electronically encoded. The Expocard serves as an electronic business card allowing delegates to request information at booths in the exhibit hall, and permits delegates to access the program planner, product locator, attendee locator, and messages. The sponsor’s name, logo, and theme statement can be imprinted onto the cards, putting the sponsor before the delegates many times a day.

Hotel Key Cards
Fee: $7,500
Logo: General Meeting & Corporate or Product
Producer: Sponsor
Sponsor Acknowledgement & Benefits: corporate or product name and logo on the cards and signage (sponsorship banners in prominent convention center locations), listing on web pages and in meeting programs and exhibit guides.

Every delegate checking in to one of ASM’s official hotels receives a key card for their hotel room. From the delegate’s arrival, throughout the meeting, and up until their departure, the sponsor’s message is repeatedly broadcast. ASM provides the sponsor with contact information for the hotel(s) they select. The sponsor handles all details directly with the selected hotel(s) including the purchase, production, and distribution of the cards (hotels charge a fee of $1-3 per card).

Interactive Symposia
Fee $10,000 each/60,000 all
Logo: General Meeting & Corporate
Producer: ASM
Sponsor Acknowledgement & Benefits: signage (sponsorship banners in prominent convention center locations), listing on web pages and in meeting programs and exhibit guides.

Up to six symposia are presented in interactive format, using an audience response system with keypads. These sessions are generally more clinical in nature, presenting one or more case studies.

Micro Marathon
Fee: $18,000
Logo: General Meeting & Corporate or Product
Producer: ASM
Sponsor Acknowledgement & Benefits: corporate or product name and logo on the race banner and tee shirts and signage (sponsorship banners in prominent convention center locations), listing on web pages and in meeting programs and exhibit guides.

The 5K race occurs the first morning of the General Meeting and draws more than 200 delegates, guests, and exhibitors. Refreshments are provided after the race and award ceremony. Proceeds from the race are donated to a local charity in the name of ASM and the sponsor. The sponsor may suggest charities for consideration.

Padfolios (meeting folders)
Fee: $3,000 if sponsor produces; $35,000 if ASM produces
Logo: General Meeting & Corporate
Producer: Sponsor
Sponsor Acknowledgement & Benefits: corporate name and logo on the padfolios, signage (sponsorship banners in prominent convention center locations), listing on web pages and in meeting programs and exhibit guides. A one-page flyer or PI insertion is included in the cost.

The padfolios (polyester, canvas, or simulated leather) have an interior organizer, clear pocket for ID or calculator, pen loop and an 8 1/2" x 11" writing pad. Popular with delegates, the padfolios provide corporate and brand recognition during the meeting and throughout the year. Meeting delegates receive a padfolio with their registration materials.

Portfolios (Meeting Bags)
Fee: $20,000
Logo: General Meeting & Corporate or Product
Producer: ASM
Sponsor Acknowledgement & Benefits: corporate name and logo on the bags, signage (sponsorship banners in prominent convention center locations), listing on web pages and in meeting programs and exhibit guides. A one-page flyer or PI is inlcuded in the cost.

The most popular of all meeting sponsorships are the official delegate portfolios which provide corporate and brand recognition during the meeting and throughout the year. Features of the water repellent polyester portfolios may be a zippered main compartment, zippered front pocket, and side phone and water bottle pockets. Meeting delegates receive a portfolio containing all their conference materials.

President’s Forum - RESERVED
Fee: $10,000
Logo: General Meeting & Corporate
Producer: ASM
Sponsor Acknowledgement & Benefits: corporate name and logo on the President’s Forum program, signage (sponsorship banners in prominent convention center locations), listing on web pages and in meeting programs and exhibit guides.

The President’s Forum occurs annually during the General Meeting. Approximately 400-600 people will be in attendance. The Forum theme is selected and presented by the ASM President and other renowned scientists.

Program Planner
Fee: $20,000
Logo: General Meeting & Corporate
Producer: ASM
Sponsor Acknowledgement & Benefits: corporate name and logo and link to the website are displayed on the Program Planner webpage, signage (sponsorship banners in prominent convention center locations), listing on web pages and in meeting programs and exhibit guides.

The program planner is available on the General Meeting web page one month before and after the meetings and during the meeting at E-Central. Accessed by Expocard, abstracts can be selected and formulated into an electronic meeting schedule. After the meetings, the Program Planner can be used to compile and retain preferred abstracts.

Telephone Calling Cards
Fee: $3,000
Logo: General Meeting & Corporate or Product
Producer: Sponsor
Sponsor Acknowledgement & Benefits: corporate or product name and logo on the cards, signage (sponsorship banners in prominent convention center locations), listing on web pages and in meeting programs and exhibit guides.

Telephone calling cards are popular with delegates who need to make long distance calls to their offices or homes during the meeting. The cards can be included in the delegate portfolios or redeemed by a voucher at the sponsor’s booth.

2008 Corporate Activities Program (CAP)

CAP is a membership program committed to helping the world’s population lead healthier lives through advances in health care and the education of future physicians, scientists, and researchers. CAP contributions support undergraduate or predoctoral students, Ph.D.s and M.D.s who are presenting abstracts at ASM's annual meetings. CAP members at the Partner level are invited to participate in special initiatives for healthcare professionals which address unmet medical needs in areas such as antimicrobial resistance, HIV/AIDS, MRSA, and others.

Membership in CAP provides increased corporate visibility with ASM's 44,000 scientific and physician members and meeting delegates. Members receive corporate recognition within the microbiological and infectious diseases communities at the General Meeting, ICAAC, Biodefense and Emerging Diseases Research Meeting and throughout the year. CAP furthers the efforts of product/marketing, scientific/education, exhibit, human resource, and press directors through positive publicity.

CAP Membership
Fee: $10,000 (Partner); $4000 (Sponsor)
Logo: CAP & Corporate
Sponsor Acknowledgement & Benefits:

Subscription to Microbe, the monthly membership magazine containing scientific articles, reports on legislative issues, meeting announcements, general interest articles, book reviews, classified advertising, and more;

Dedicated web pages;

Banners in prominent locations in annual meeting convention centers display CAP member names - corporate logos are included for Partners;

Satellite symposia and booth numbers published in Guides, Programs, Microbe, and on ASM meeting web pages;

Badge ribbons for booth staff acknowledging CAP membership;

Recognition in the General Meeting Programs;

Listing in the CAP flyer either in the registration bags or delivered to the hotel rooms of General Meeting delegates;

Weekly News bulletin highlighting the latest scientific breakthroughs;

Corporate profile in May and September issues of Microbe; and

The use of CAP level and logo in ASM ads, publications, and employment recruitment efforts.

Supplemental Benefits for the Elite Corporate Partner Level

Opportunity to support an ASM CME-accredited satellite symposium in a premier time slot;

Opportunity to support well-publicized initiatives which educate healthcare professionals on unmet medical needs such as antimicrobial resistance, HIV/AIDS, MRSA, and others;

Corporate logos included with descriptions on the web and on signs and banners;

Priority to retain unreserved meeting sponsorships;

Priority positioning in publications (listed first and in most cases, larger text);

Dedicated assistance with meeting requests; and

CAP Partner Spotlight in Microbe for publication of news worthy articles, particularly those related to infectious diseases or microbiology and its related sciences (content subject to review; product-specific material disallowed).

ASM Contacts

Carrie Morin, Exhibits Manager. Tel: 202-942-9240
Exhibits sales, advertising