Press Resources

Dear Media Colleague:

We are pleased to invite you to the 2012 National STD Prevention Conference, taking place at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Minneapolis, Minnesota, March 12-15, 2012.

STDs pose a serious threat to the health and well-being of millions of Americans every year. The biennial National STD Prevention Conference is the only major U.S. conference that focuses exclusively on advances in halting the spread of these serious diseases.

At this event, community, academic, government and medical experts will present hundreds of studies on innovative strategies to reduce the public health and economic impact of STDs.

Registration

Credentialed journalists – those employed by accredited news organizations and attending the conference for the purpose of editorial coverage – are invited to pre-register for this conference free of charge. To register as media for the conference, complete a media registration form [PDF - 83KB] and return it as soon as possible. Email and fax information is on the registration form. Note that CDC reserves the right to request additional information to verify credentials.

Media are invited to all official conference program activities. On-site check-in and registration for media will begin at 2:00 p.m. (EST) on Monday, March 12, 2012. Media unable to attend may request press materials by contacting the 2012 National STD Prevention Conference toll-free media information line, at 1-866-584-5030.

Eligibility

To register as a media participant for the conference, proof of accreditation is required. This accreditation may take the form of a photocopy of official press credentials or a letter from your editor verifying assignment to the conference on the stationery of the media organization for which you work.

A maximum of two representatives from a media organization will be approved for media registration (not per publication, in the case of organizations that publish multiple newsletters), whether they are employed by the organization or freelancing.

Freelance journalists wishing to cover the conference must submit copies of three bylined STD articles in addition to an official letter of assignment.

Newsletter writers and editors must submit three issues of their newsletter, at least one of which must include a bylined STD article.

Reporters from online publications that meet the below criteria are eligible to register:

The website must provide original, editorial news coverage
Editorial content must be independent of advertising and sponsorship (if the website is sponsored, the site must have multiple sponsors, and all sponsors must be clearly identified as such on the website)
Personal websites do not qualify for media registration
Online media are not considered separate from their parent media companies for purposes of media registration

News Media Policies

Media identification. Registered media are required to wear their media badges at all times while on site at the conference.
Embargo policy. Studies are embargoed until the date and start time of the scientific presentation or poster session, with the following exception: studies highlighted in press conferences are embargoed until the date and start time of the press conference, or the date and start time of presentation – whichever is earlier.
Press conferences. Please look for future updates on the content, timing and location of official conference press briefings. Media unable to attend the briefings in person will be able to participate by phone.

The conference will not be able to accommodate requests for space for third-party press conferences at the conference venue.
Interview requests. 2012 National STD Prevention Conference media center personnel will make every effort to assist you in arranging interviews with presenters or other spokespersons. Please do not hesitate to ask media center staff for assistance.
Video and Photography. Videotaping is restricted to registered, accredited, broadcast news media and will not be permitted without express advance authorization from conference media personnel. If approved, members of the press may videotape during press briefings in designated interview rooms and in conference common areas, provided that video crews are accompanied by a conference media team staff member. Filming will be limited, based on availability of a staff escort. Non-flash photography and audio recording of the scientific sessions is permissible for personal and non-commercial use only, provided it is not disruptive to the session proceedings.

Any requests for videotaping of conference proceedings beyond this policy must be submitted to conference organizers in writing by Friday, February 24, 2012, and will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
Press releases. Limited space will be available in the press room for organizations that sponsor special sessions or present data at the 2012 National STD Prevention Conference to display press releases and media materials related to their official conference activities.
References to the conference. When referring to the conference in your coverage, please use the full name of the conference – 2012 National STD Prevention Conference. You may wish to include some of the following language to describe the event in your materials:
The 2012 National STD Prevention Conference, convened by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and other STD prevention organizations, is taking place in Minneapolis, Minnesota, March 12-15, 2012. This biennial event, which concentrates solely on the important science of STD prevention, will give community organizations, individuals, public health professionals, clinicians, and advocates the opportunity to exchange information about effective prevention approaches. For more information about the conference, please visit www.cdc.gov/stdconference/.

Hotel Accommodations

Reporters are responsible for making their own hotel arrangements. You can make a reservation at the Hyatt Regency through the online conference hotel reservation page.. When making a reservation by phone, identify yourself as a participant in the 2012 National STD Prevention Conference. Book hotel reservations by February 14 to receive the special conference rate.

We’re looking forward to seeing you in Minneapolis in March. If you have any questions, please contact the conference toll-free media information line at 1-866-584-5030. For additional information about the conference, please continue checking this site.