The 2021 ASCRS Annual Meeting will now take place from July 23-27 in Las Vegas, Nev., at Mandalay Bay Convention Center, moved from its original date and location in San Francisco, Calif.

“We are pragmatic and realistic about this first meeting after the start of the pandemic,” says Steven Speares, the ASCRS executive director.

The decision to change the city was made when San Francisco’s city government did not seem comfortable hosting large events like the ASCRS meeting, says Mr. Speares. Once it was determined San Francisco could not be utilized, ASCRS looked for other options where it could safely hold its meeting.

Safety precautions

One of the reasons the ASCRS decided to host the show at Mandalay Bay was the medical-grade filtration and HVAC system throughout the property, says Mr. Speares. The city had also prioritized vaccinating its hospitality staff, which offered a further degree of safety to attendees. The meeting will also follow all local and national government safety protocols required during the pandemic.

ASCRS is working with Mandalay Bay Convention Center to ensure the event complies with safety guidelines. The Seven-Point Safety Plan at the convention center includes daily employee temperature checks, social distancing throughout the convention center, regular sanitization of the facilities and hand washing and hand sanitizer stations throughout the property. Vendors at the show will follow strict safety protocols as well.

ASCRS will continue to follow regional and CDC guidelines while determining space set-up for courses and general sessions. Additionally, all hotels used for the meeting are part of the Mandalay Bay Convention Center, removing the need for busing during the meeting. Paper handouts have also been eliminated from the 2021 meeting. Steps are also being taken to make hotel registration as contactless an experience as possible, according to ASCRS.

Additional precautions being taken by ASCRS include an on-site physician with COVID expertise providing rapid testing and handling of any COVID-related concerns. Should a guest at the meeting test positive for COVID-19, protocols are in place to alert other guests.

Deciding to hold the show

Another element that factored into ASCRS’ decision to hold the show was an ASOA survey, which found that 93% of ophthalmic practices expect to have a majority of their staff vaccinated by the end of March. The greatest safety measure the ASCRS can deploy, says Mr. Speares, is encouraging attendees to get their vaccinations before the show.

The reaction from attendees to holding the ASCRS event has been “heartening,” Mr. Speares says. “I think people realize that physical interaction is an essential element in education.” While the threat of the coronavirus is something the society must continue to live with for now, the ASCRS Executive Committee felt that — while acting in accordance with all needed safety guidelines — this was “the right time to push forward with a physical meeting,” Mr. Speares says.

What to expect

Thus far, no presenters have dropped out of the meeting as a result of the move to Las Vegas, Mr. Speares says. This includes keynote speaker Scott Gottlieb, MD, former head of the FDA and noted COVID-19 expert, who will address the meeting on Sunday, July 25.

This year will also have the first live meeting of the Eyecelerator conference, on Thursday, July 22. A joint project with the AAO and ASCRS that premiered virtually in 2020, Eyecelerator focuses on connecting entrepreneurs, investors, companies and ophthalmologists to help advance ophthalmic innovation.

Also featured this year in the exhibit hall will be the “ASCRS Tap Room,” with extra precautions taken for the pandemic. Originally intended to premier at last year’s show, the ASCRS Tap Room is envisioned as a gathering spot for show attendees and industry partners to grab a snack or drink while discussing presentations or topics from the conference. ASCRS plans to have dividers and other social distancing measures in place as well.

For registration, visit annualmeeting.ascrs.org . OM