Logistical information for the 2008 International Stroke Conference

TO: Reporters, producers and editors

FROM: AHA Communications: (Dallas) Director Carrie Thacker (214) 706-1665; Sr. Mgr. Cathy Lewis 706-1324; Bridgette McNeill 706-1135; Julie Del Barto (broadcast) 706-1330; Karen Astle 706-1392; Darcy Spitz (New York) (212) 878-5940; Wynette Randolph 706-1173; & Joanna Carr 706-1396.

RE: American Stroke Association’s International Stroke Conference 2008 Wednesday, Feb. 20 to Friday, Feb. 22, 2008 Ernest N. Morial Convention Center, New Orleans, La.

Here is some logistical information about the conference. If you have any questions, please contact Bridgette McNeill, Wynette Randolph, Carrie Thacker or Julie Del Barto (broadcast).

News releases and news tips: This news kit contains eight news releases and 18 news tips. Embargo times are posted on each release or tip. All times are Central Standard Times.

Video news release: Video news releases on abstract (P241) will be transmitted to television stations at 9 a.m. CST (10 a.m. EST) Wednesday, Feb. 20. For times, coordinates and additional information contact Julie Del Barto at (214) 706-1330; julie.delbarto@heart.org.

ONSITE INFORMATION:

The News Media Center:
Ernest N. Morial Convention Center, New Orleans, La., Hall A, Room 217
Telephone: (504) 670-7908
Hours of operation: 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. CST, Tuesday, Feb. 19 for onsite registration;
7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. CST, Wednesday, Feb. 20 and Thursday, Feb. 21;
7:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. CST, Friday, Feb. 22.

Reporters must supply their own computers.

News Conferences: There will be daily news conferences are scheduled for 8 a.m. and 10 a.m. CST on Wednesday, Feb. 20; 8 a.m. CST on Thursday, Feb.21; and 9:45 a.m. CST on Friday, Feb. 22 in Room 218.

Interview opportunities: “Interview Opportunities” will be held Wednesday and Thursday in Room 218 for researchers whose work is described in the news releases prepared by the American Stroke Association. The schedule will be distributed at registration.

Name badges: You must wear your badge while in the media center and to gain access to sessions and exhibits.

Photography policy: Media with cameras must obtain a camera tag and sign a media photography/video guidelines acceptance form. Badged media with a camera tag may photograph, videotape or record in the news media area, hallways and common areas. Badged media who have a camera tag may take non-flash still photography in meeting rooms. Videotaping is not allowed in the meeting rooms. Media may audiotape strictly for personal or non-commercial use as long as it is not disruptive. Media may not conduct interviews in meetings rooms. Badged media must obtain prior written or verbal permission from the exhibitor(s) to take still photographs. No video taping is permitted in the exhibit hall or poster presentations area.

Here is a quick reference guide to help media use available American Stroke Association resources:

Abstracts presented at the International Stroke Conference 2008 are listed in the February 2008 issue of Stroke: Journal of the American Heart Association. http://stroke.ahajournals.org/. The abstracts also are available online at strokeconference.org.

News releases highlight research being presented at the International Stroke Conference that association staff believes will be of special interest to reporters and the public. Researchers are available for interviews during “interview opportunities” at times specified in the Daily Log and the News Activity Grid. At other times, media should try to contact the researcher through the researcher’s office (phone numbers listed at the bottom of the releases). Accompanying abstract numbers are included.

News tips are “thumb-nail” notes that describe, in brief format, information the staff feels may be of special interest to reporters. Media should try to contact the researcher through the researcher’s office (phone numbers listed at the bottom of the tip). Accompanying abstract numbers are included.

News activity grid, an at-a-glance schedule of activities occurring in the news media center, will also be available onsite.

News conferences have been organized by subject to profile emerging research trends or topics of special interest to the public. Each 60-minute news conference offers brief presentations to the media by four to six speakers on research that is being presented at the International Stroke Conference. The news conference moderators are American Stroke Association volunteers who are experts on the subject, and who can offer reporters balance and perspective on the topics discussed. A brief description of the news conferences are available to onsite media and can be found on news conference sheets, which are color-coded by day.

A late-breaking science news conferences will be held at 9:45 a.m. CST Friday, Feb. 22. News releases and abstracts will be distributed with media registration packets. News releases will be available online after embargo online at www.strokeconference.org.

Daily logs note the dates, times and locations of all activities designed for reporters. Information about news conferences and interview opportunities are listed, along with news releases. The daily logs are color-coded by embargo dates. Accompanying abstract numbers are included. Daily logs are only available in the International Stroke Conference newsroom.

American Stroke Association resources on-line include statistics, information about stroke, American Heart Association scientific positions, etc. The web site of the American Stroke Association is www.StrokeAssociation.org. The Heart Disease and Stroke Statistics – 2008 Update is available at www.americanheart.org/statistics.

The American Stroke Association is a division of the American Heart Association. Formally named in December 1998, the goal of the American Stroke Association is to reduce disability and death from stroke through research, education and advocacy. In its 2005-06 fiscal year, the association invested nearly $157 million to fight stroke.