11 March 2020
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: ISMRM
Phone: 510-841-1899
Email: press@ismrm.org
International Society for Magnetic Resonance in Medicine (ISMRM) Reschedules 2020 Annual Meeting and Destination to 08-13 August 2020, Paris, France.
CONCORD, CA, USA, MARCH 2020
After much discussion on the global impact the coronavirus disease COVID-19 is continuing to have as well as daily reporting from the WHO and the CDC, the ISMRM Board of Trustees has rescheduled the ISMRM and SMRT 2020 Annual Meetings previously planned for Sydney, Australia.
ISMRM President, Larry Wald and SMRT President, Shawna Farquharson announced, “Due to the rapidly unfurling repercussions of the coronavirus epidemics, the Board of Trustees met and decided to delay this year’s annual meeting. Given the limited alternatives available at the ICC Sydney over the months in which postponement is an option, we have made arrangements to hold the meeting in Paris at the Paris Expo Porte de Versailles on 08-13 August.
“As you know, after stabilizing in China, the coronavirus epidemics have progressed worldwide, where they appear poised to peak sometime in April. While Sydney remains a relatively safe location, many of our members’ institutions have instituted no-travel policies in order to slow the spread of disease and protect their staff and patients. In addition, Australia’s entry ban for members coming from China and Korea remain, and even those not under government or institutional travel bans have an understandable reluctance to travel at this time.
“However, our problem is broader than travel restrictions and Sydney; it is the public health issue of gathering 6,000 international visitors to a conference in April. Taken together, the Board felt postponement is the only reasonable option at this time. We appreciate your patience and understanding in this matter and hope to see you in Paris.”
All ISMRM and SMRT exhibitors will be contacted directly by our Meetings Department with further information. If you have already registered for our meeting, your registration will automatically be transferred to Paris. If you need to cancel your registration, you will be provided a full refund. We are working closely with CHM (the official housing management company) to ensure that all hotel refunds will be made. If you have already booked your airline ticket, please work with your carrier directly as all airlines have their own cancellation and refund policies. Please read our frequently asked questions (FAQ’s) document located on our website for further details.
About ISMRM:
The International Society for Magnetic Resonance in Medicine is an international, nonprofit, scientific association whose purpose is to promote communication, research, development, and applications in the field of magnetic resonance in medicine and biology and other related topics and to develop and provide channels and facilities for continuing education in the field. Its multidisciplinary membership of over 9,000 consists of clinicians, physicists, engineers, biochemists, technologists and industry professionals. In addition to its large scientific meetings, the Society holds workshops and publishes two journals, Magnetic Resonance in Medicine and the Journal of Magnetic Resonance Imaging. It also sponsors 28 study groups on specific areas of scientific interest and chapters based on geographical location.
To find out more about the International Society for Magnetic Resonance in Medicine (ISMRM), please call +1 510-841-1899, Fax +1 510-841-2340, or visit our website at www.ismrm.org.
ISMRM, One Concord Center, 2300 Clayton Road, Suite 620, Concord, CA 94520 USA
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