1999 American Heart Association 72nd Scientific Sessions kit memo

We look forward to seeing you in Atlanta. Here is some logistical information about the meeting. If you have any questions please contact any of the American Heart Association staff members listed on this memo.

The News Media Center:
Rooms: 256W-257W, Georgia World Congress Center
Telephone: 404-222-5002.
Hours of operation: 7:30 a.m. to 7 p.m., Sunday through Tuesday, and 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., Wednesday. (The media center will be open Saturday 1 to 5 p.m. for registration.)

News Conferences:
Opening briefing: 8:15 a.m., room 258W, Sunday, Nov. 7. An overview of sessions will be provided by American Heart Association President Lynn Smaha, M.D., Ph.D.; American Heart Association President-Elect Rose Marie Robertson, M.D.; Robert Bonow, M.D., Chair of the Committee on Scientific Sessions, and Augustus Grant, Vice-Chair of the Committee on Scientific Sessions. Other news conferences: Several will be held each day in room 258W.

Media availabilities:
Scientists whose research is described in the news releases prepared by the American Heart Association are being asked to meet with reporters at specific times before their presentations. Media availabilities will be held daily in room 258W.

News releases and news tips:
The American Heart Association has prepared 16 news releases and 32 news tips.
Embargo: Times are posted on each release. Several news releases are tied to the scheduled news conferences. When the news conference begins, the embargo is lifted.
Video news releases: Video news releases will be transmitted via satellite. Contact Bruce Lewis at 214-706-1397.

Name badges:
You must wear your badge while in the media center and to gain access to news conferences, sessions and exhibits. Guest Media badges will not allow access to the working newsroom area.

Exhibitors' Newsroom: Room 260W. Will provide information from industry representatives and other non-American Heart Association organizations. Sat., 9 a.m.-5 p.m., Sun.-Wed., 8 a.m.-5 p.m.

User's Guide to News Materials at the
72nd American Heart Association Scientific Sessions

We have created this quick reference guide to help reporters use the American Heart Association resources available to them:

Abstracts presented at the American Heart Association's Scientific Sessions are listed in the Supplement to Circulation: Journal of the American Heart Association, available in the newsroom at Scientific Sessions and to subscribers of Circulation: Journal of the American Heart Association by mail.

Color-coded daily logs note the dates, times and locations of all activities at Scientific Sessions designed for reporters. Information about news conferences and media availabilities is listed, along with news releases color-coded by embargo dates. Accompanying abstract numbers are included.

News conferences have been organized by subject, to profile emerging research trends or topics of special importance to the public. Each 45 minute news conference offers brief presentations to the media by three to five speakers on their research that is being presented at Sessions. The news conference moderators are American Heart Association volunteers who are experts on the subject, and who can offer reporters balance and perspective to the topics discussed. A brief description of the news conferences can be found on news conference sheets, which are color coded by day. The news conference sheets will only be available to reporters on site. Accompanying abstract numbers are included.

News releases highlight research being presented at Scientific Sessions that association staff believes will be of special interest to reporters and the public. Researchers are available for interviews in "media availability sessions" at times specified in the Daily Log. At other times, media should try to contact the researcher through the researcher's office (phone numbers listed at the bottom of the releases). With a few exceptions, research profiled in the news releases will not be presented at news conferences. Accompanying abstract numbers are included.

News tips are "thumb-nail" notes that describe, in briefer format, information the staff feels may be of special interest to reporters. Accompanying abstract numbers are included.

American Heart Association resources on-line include statistics, information about heart disease and stroke, American Heart Association scientific positions, etc. A computer will be available for reporters' use in the newsroom, however, access is limited to a first come first served basis. It is recommended that reporters supply their own computers and internet access. The main web site of the association is www.americanheart.org.