Hello! We are soliciting preconference proposals for SAS 2021. Preconferences will be held on Thursday, April 15th, 2021 in St. Louis, Missouri at the Chase Park Plaza Hotel.

Preconference proposals should be submitted by August 15th, 2020. Please provide a summary of the intended topic below. In your summary, please include a statement about the timeliness of the topic for the SAS 2021 meeting, 3-5 keywords, a list of at least two confirmed speakers and, if applicable, a proposed list of speakers who are not yet confirmed. The summary must not exceed 250 words.

Additional Information:

*Speakers and Structure. Two speakers must have already agreed to participate in the symposium at the time of your proposal submission. In general, the Preconference Organizer will be responsible for developing all aspects of the preconference content, structure, and line up of speakers. Organizers have flexibility in how the preconference is structured (i.e. number of speakers, including poster session, full or half day, etc.).

*Diversity and Inclusion. SAS strongly recommends that organizers consider the diversity of the pool of speakers and presenters.

*Deadlines. SAS will work with the Preconference Organizer to set the abstract deadline and notification of accept/reject deadline (if applicable).

*Logistics. SAS will assist with logistics on the day of the preconference, working with hotel staff to help ensure that A/V, rooms, climate, and if relevant, food/beverage are as ordered and expected.

*No honorariums or complimentary registrations are provided for participation.

*Costs. The Preconference organizers are responsible for its costs. Some expenses, such as conference room space rental and A/V, may be covered by SAS as part of its contract with the Annual Meeting venue, and SAS will work with you to coordinate such coverage. Participant registration fees generally will be the primary, if not the only, revenue source to cover non-SAS-covered expenses. If your Preconference proposal is accepted, you and SAS will discuss costs and revenues and execute a contract with more detail. Further, SAS will work with you to coordinate setting and collecting Preconference registration fees.

The Preconference Committee reserves the right to ask an organizer to modify their preconference to ensure balance in the annual meeting program. If your proposal is selected, SAS membership of the organizer(s) must be current. Should the in-person conference be forced to cancel, SAS will work closely with the Preconference organizers to consider virtual options, and to ensure, to the greatest extent possible, that no party suffers financial losses.

Please direct questions to: Ajay Satpute at a.satpute@northeastern.edu and Aaron Heller at aheller@miami.edu