Media

Reporters wishing to attend the 19th Conference on Retroviruses and Opportunistic Infections (CROI) must apply for media credentials and register to attend the conference in advance.  There will be no on-site registration.

Media registration for CROI 2012 is a two-step process: 1) apply for and receive media accreditation and 2) complete the registration process. Both steps (accreditation and registration) must be completed. Journalists who receive accreditation but do not complete the registration process will not be able to attend the conference. Journalists are encouraged to complete the application and registration process early.  Please note the following deadlines: 

Application for media accreditation opens November 22, 2011
Application for media accreditation closes January 20, 2012 (or earlier, if all media slots are filled)
Registration for accredited media opens December 6, 2011
Registration closes for accredited media closes February 3, 2012 

ELIGIBILITY

CROI is a scientific research meeting. Because of space limitations, press registrations are reserved for journalists with demonstrated experience covering basic and clinical science developments in the AIDS field (see application process below). Representatives from the following media may apply for media credentials:

  • general-circulation newspapers, magazines, or medical publications 
  • broadcast news media 
  • community newsletters (published by AIDS Treatment Organizations)

Medical communications companies, financial media, biotechnology and investment publications, university/college/institute newsletters, program bulletins and noneditorial entities such as publishers and representatives of sales, marketing, or advertising departments are not eligible for media registration. Individuals, agents or contractors providing coverage for or being sponsored by industry may not register as media. Journalists who meet the press criteria outlined above will be accredited on a space-available basis.

A total of 140 registrations have been set aside for members of the media (70 reserved for consumer and medical professional media and 70 reserved for community). In general, the conference will consider accreditation of up to two qualified reporters per media organization or news service (not per outlet, in the case of organizations that control multiple outlets). Additional badges providing admittance to press conferences may be made available for television crews supporting registered journalists if space permits.

Any publication, supplement, or electronic product devoted exclusively to the coverage of the conference (e.g. meeting highlights, on-line conference proceedings/reporting, newsletters, audio conferences, etc.) must have prior written approval of the Scientific Program Committee.  Distribution of materials of any type without the prior consent of the Conference Secretariat is strictly prohibited at the meeting.

APPLICATION PROCESS

To be accredited, journalists should submit:

  1. a letter from their editor, producer, or news director (or a copy of the publication's masthead with the reporter's name listed) on letterhead with signature
  2. a sample of one recent article or news report, preferably from the last CROI, which credits the reporter seeking media accreditation
  3. a sample publication (for media that have not registered for the Conference in the past)
  4. a letter of assignment (for freelance journalists only) on letterhead with signature

The items noted above should be sent to the Conference Secretariat via email (info@retroconference.org), fax (703-535-6899), or mail (115 S Saint Asaph St, Alexandria, VA 22314).  The Conference may request additional materials if needed to establish the appropriateness of a media outlet or journalist for accreditation.

DEADLINES

The deadline for all applications for media accreditation is January 20, 2012 (or until the media block has filled, whichever occurs sooner) and the deadline for accredited reporters to complete registration and housing is February 3, 2012.  Applications for media accreditation will be handled on a first-come, first-served basis, and will be responded to within 7-10 business days.  All approved media applicants must follow the link provided in the media accreditation notification email to complete their registration and housing. The media registration process will not be complete without this final step.