GENERAL RULES

1. Companies are responsible for compliance with all applicable codes, laws and regulations. They will be held responsible under those rules for the actions of their employees, affiliates and agents/contracted suppliers working on their behalf. Codes and regulations include various responsibilities for approval, certification and reporting for which companies are responsible.
2. Companies should take appropriate steps to ensure compliance with all applicable codes, laws and regulations and that their actions reflect the ethical and professional interactions expected between commercial enterprises and healthcare professionals. Companies are advised to put appropriate training in place to ensure that their activities are compliant with the applicable codes, laws and regulations.
3. For pharmaceutical companies, the EFPIA (European Federation of Pharmaceutical Industries and Associations) codes of practice (www.efpia.eu) identify the ‘applicable codes’ for international events. In addition, the EFPIA codes identify the country code in which the company organising their participation is legally set up as an additional ‘applicable code’. National codes and regulations may apply requirements related to the home country of sponsored delegates and speakers. Pharmaceutical companies are responsible for checking the requirements of all applicable codes, laws and regulations.
4. The EFPIA also established the HCP/HCO DISCLOSURE CODE.
5. The UEMS dedicated to continuing medical education and certification (EACCME) also provides guidelines on permissible practices.
6. Similarly, Medical Device companies should refer to the EUCOMED code (www.eucomed.be) and the Italian Affiliate.
7. Compliance with one code will not necessarily ensure compliance with the requirements of other applicable codes, laws and regulations. While ESOT will take every step to keep up to date with these, each company participating in ESOT activities needs to ensure that the activities they engage in are compliant.

ESOT CONGRESS, MEETINGS, EVENTS & COURSES GENERAL GUIDELINES AND REGULATIONS FOR INDUSTRY 

• ESOT CONGRESS, MEETINGS, EVENTS & COURSES 

GENERAL GUIDELINES AND REGULATIONS FOR INDUSTRY
These guidelines are designed to ensure that all sponsors enjoy safe, comfortable and successful participation in the ESOT activities. The guidelines are constantly updated to take into account changes in laws, codes of practice and regional regulations. With this in mind, we urge you to check that your understanding of the guidelines is current.

• BUDGET AND FINANCE

1. Both ESOT and participating commercial companies expect financial transparency on budget planning as well as access to relevant reports in relation to the ESOT sponsors activity. Financial plans for the sponsored activity income must be based on contribution guidelines as mutually agreed upon by the commercial companies’ representatives and ESOT leadership. The commercial companies agree to comply with the agreed schedule of payments.
2. ESOT recognises that companies are increasingly subject to reporting responsibilities with respect to their support for medical events and delegate sponsorship. These responsibilities vary between countries, and companies may have different internal policies. ESOT supports transparency and will attempt to accommodate company requests for assistance in providing relevant information given sufficient advance warning and subject to the practicalities of providing such information. The final decision whether to provide information rests with the ESOT leadership.

 

• HANDLING OF DISPUTES, CLAIMS

1. No agreement can foresee all eventualities or problems which may occur. Consequently, it is accepted that continued dialogue will take place between commercial companies and ESOT with regard to participation in any of the ESOT organised activity. Any dispute, controversy or claim arising from or relating to this agreed code of practice shall be settled by the ESOT Executive Committee. ESOT will decide on appropriate actions if necessary. In the first instance, any problems arising in connection with the organisation of the ESOT activity may be discussed and resolved by the appointed representatives of the commercial companies for the particular ESOT meeting with representatives of the ESOT leadership.
2. At all times, each commercial company will respect the guidelines and indications of the ESOT leadership with the scope of creating qualitatively excellent annual activities which take into account the requirements, contributions and expectations of all participants. Through its processes, ESOT will ensure financial transparency of budgets and accounts.

• EXHIBITION GUIDELINES

EXHIBITION ORGANISER
The ESOT Office is the main exhibition contact during for the ESOT Congress, together with its appointed PCO if applicable. For any other ESOT activity, a PCO may act as the main liaison.

CONDITIONS OF PAYMENT
Conditions of payment mentioned on the invoice / confirmation are valid. In any case, payment has to be made before opening the exhibition; if not, participation cannot be guaranteed and the rental fee remains due. All published prices are in Euro (€).

ASSIGNMENT OF SPACE / ELIGIBILITY FOR EXHIBITING
Exhibit space will be assigned on a ‘first come – first served’ basis except for its Major sponsors (Platinum and Gold sponsors), where spaces are usually allocated based on the level of investment.

Orders for technical installations and exhibition services are only accepted when confirmed in writing. For the application to be accepted, only products and services in direct connection to the topic of the activity are allowed to be presented. The exhibition organiser reserves the right to make changes of exhibition space after consulting the exhibitor involved. The booths may be used only for exhibiting and advertising the exhibitors’ own products in accordance with the host country’s applicable laws and regulations.

The commercial companies may suggest an adequate space is provided for their primary needs. Individual stand space allocation may be variable, but the following basic configuration is expected by the commercial companies for each Major Sponsor or exhibitor.

Any additional booth (not included in the primary space) booked by a Major Sponsor will be charged in addition at the standard exhibition price (cf. Sponsorship Prospectus).

Onsite marketing activities for affiliate/exhibitor events by the commercial organisation are restricted to the sponsor’s exhibition booth. Sponsor’s promotion of the affiliate/exhibitor or off-site events is specifically forbidden in other areas of ESOT designated convention center.

SCIENTIFIC PRESENTATIONS AT EXHIBITION BOOTH
The exhibition area and company booths are a promotional arena. If companies have presentations given from their booths, these would have to be on-label and otherwise comply with the applicable codes. A non-product presentation about disease science is in general permitted, but the decisions on scientific worth and whether these constitute promotion is separate and additional costs will apply and will be defined by ESOT. Any such presentations require prior approval by ESOT both in terms of content and logistical setup. Furthermore, they need to be compliant with general exhibition guidelines and not cause disruption to other exhibitors.

1. All restricted times are reserved for ESOT programmes, meetings and functions.
2. The commercial companies reserve the right within the daily schedules of ESOT activity to hold company staff meetings, symposium slide previews involving company staff and invited speakers only, and clinical trial investigator meetings, provided that attendance is restricted to a limited number of investigators (less than 50). Should the latter involve a large number of investigators, the commercial companies agree that these will be held outside the scheduled hours of the ESOT programme.
3. Any type of meetings that can be assimilated into a company symposium or similar are explicitly excluded. ESOT’s decision on whether a meeting can be held or not is final. Any meeting that has not received prior approval from ESOT to take place in the venue or in the neighbouring area is not permitted.
4. All events planned at the congress/meeting venue, including pre- and post symposia receptions, must be approved by ESOT and must comply with the applicable codes, laws and regulations.
5. Companies must ensure that their actions are in keeping with the ESOT constitution and this Code of Practice.

HOUSE RULES
The rules of the congress/meeting venue do apply and are binding to all exhibitors. Whoever does not follow these regulations will be excluded from the exhibition after a first warning. Copies of these regulations can be provided upon request.

Material safety and fire certificates of all stand materials must be available for control during the build-up. Representatives of the congress/meeting venue technical staff must be allowed access to your stand at all times.

Smoking is prohibited at all times.

DAMAGES / SAFETY / INSURANCE 
Exhibitors are entirely liable for damages to third parties’ stands, properties, health (be injury or death). To this extent, ESOT, its staff and providers, as well as the congress /meeting venue, are to be considered third parties. Exhibitors’ liabilities are extended to their personnel and/or other people working under their control. Since neither ESOT and its staff, nor the congress/meetings venue are liable for any damages and/ or loss suffered by the exhibitors during the exhibition, including installation and dismantling – it is mandatory that exhibitors arrange insurance accordingly.

Exhibitors and their subcontractors are entirely liable for damages to third-party stands, properties (e.g. floors, walls and pillars), and health (be injury or death) during set-up, exhibition and dismantling periods. To this extent, ESOT, its staff, and providers, as well as the staff at the congress/meetings venue are to be considered as third parties. Exhibitors’ liabilities are extended to their personnel and/or to other people working under their responsibility. While every reasonable precaution will be taken to protect the exhibitors’ property while on display at the exhibition, it must be clearly understood that the organisers, the congress venue, and the official contractors can accept NO liability for any loss or damage sustained. It is highly recommended that all exhibitors take a trade fair and exhibition risk insurance, including insurance against fire.

Companies are responsible for all property damage as well as any loss or injury caused by their property, agents or employees. Companies will indemnify the organisers against all claims and expenses arising from any damages.

In addition to this, exhibitors should protect their expenditure against abandonment and cancellation or curtailment of the Congress / Meetings or events due to reasons beyond the organisers’ control. Please ensure that you have adequate insurance coverage for the duration of the event.

If, for any reason whatsoever, the Exhibition needs to be abandoned, postponed, or altered in any way, either in whole or part or if the organisers find it necessary to change the dates of the Exhibition, the organisers shall not be liable for any expenditure, damage or loss incurred in connection with the Exhibition.

WORK SAFETY RULES
The exhibitors and all service providers are required to ensure that any person working on the congress/meeting premises during set-up, exhibition and dismantling periods is observing the local work safety rules and regulations.

VIOLATION OF RULES
Any violations of this contract will, at ESOT’s option, constitute cause to terminate the contract, remove the exhibitor from the show and require exhibitor to forfeit all fees paid to ESOT.

NOTE that exhibitor booths will be offered on a space-available basis. Gold and Platinum sponsors will be offered priority space. ESOT reserves the right to reject any exhibitor application for any reason at its discretion.

EXHIBITOR CODE OF CONDUCT
The following are basic rules that all sponsors/exhibitors commit to. Inspired by a number of sources, including EFPIA, these have been developed in the best interest of the ESOT activity, the delegates and sponsors/exhibitors. Abiding by these fundamental «fair play» rules will ultimately promote a more successful event for all participants.

• ADVERTISING
  Advertising is permitted only on the stand space (aisles excluded). Displays of printed matter or advertising outside this area but on the premises of the Congress / meeting are not allowed. No flyers, posters, handouts, etc. can be left on tables, in conference hotels, on buses, etc. unless it is explicitly agreed by the relevant operators. However, there are a number of sponsoring activities that offer selected opportunities to promote a brand or service beyond the exhibition hall. In addition, sponsors/exhibitors must comply with all applicable national and international rules and regulations related to advertising and promotion of all products and services as part of their stand. ESOT bears no responsibility for non-compliance by the Sponsor/Exhibitor.
• AUDIO ACTIVITY ON STAND
  Sponsors/exhibitors using audio devices must ensure that sound does not carry beyond their assigned space. ESOT reserves the right to determine what constitutes an acceptable sound level and may request the Sponsor/Exhibitor to take action to bring it to that level.
• COMPLIANCE
  While ESOT will provide as much guidance as possible, it is the Exhibitor’s responsibility to comply with the local authority’s regulations, as well as others such as EFPIA (European Federation of Pharmaceuticals Industries & Associations) (www.efpia.org) and IFMPA (International Federation of Pharmaceutical Manufacturers & Associations) (www.ifpma.org) Code of Practice on the Promotion of Medicines. Please also refer to the event website to access the applicable National compliance rules and regulations.
• DISPOSAL OF WASTE
  It is the responsibility of the Sponsor/Exhibitor to ensure that all waste material from stand construction (including boxes for packaging) are completely removed from the exhibition area prior to the opening of the exhibition and at the end of the Congress / Meeting. Waste cleared by ESOT will be charged to the Sponsor/Exhibitor.
• GIFTS AND HANDOUTS
  Items may be given out to delegates only within the limits of the assigned stand space only. The exhibitor must ensure that these are compliant before being submitted to ESOT for final approval.
• LOTTERIES, GAMES AND PRIZES
  While lotteries and other luck-based activities are not permitted, knowledge or skill-based games may however be organised with prior written approval from ESOT, both for the nature of the activity and the planned reward(s). At any rate, these must be low-key activities limited to the stand area.
• OVERFLOW OF ACTIVITY
  All stand activity must be held on the stand. Any activity taking place outside of the allocated stand space will be reported and shall be made to cease immediately.
• SURVEYS
  Surveys/market research conducted by sponsors/exhibitors must be confined to the assigned stand space.
• OTHER SITUATIONS
  ESOT reserves the right to take any on-site action necessary to correct any activity or behavior that is felt inappropriate or that creates prejudice to ESOT, delegates or other exhibitors, including but not limited to the cancellation of the Agreement without refund.

 

• SYMPOSIA GUIDELINES

CONTRACT AND DEPOSIT
Once a Sponsorship Booking Form is received, a contract will be sent to you for signature after which an accompanying invoice will follow. This contract should be signed and returned. Upon receipt of the sponsorship booking form the organiser will reserve the items listed on it. Completion of the booking form by the sponsor shall be considered as a commitment to purchase the items indicated. The deposit for the booked items should be paid according to the deadlines specified on the invoice.

ORGANISATION
Satellite symposia are organised and entirely supported by the Industry. If requested by the company, ESOT can advice on the scientific content of the symposia. Their nature, including the selection of topics, must be educational and not promotional.

SYMPOSIUM TITLE AND DESCRIPTION
No commercial names may appear in the titles of the symposia nor in the topics of individual presentations. In symposia titles, only class names are allowed. Non-proprietary names of individual compounds are permitted in titles of individual presentations. Likewise, diagnostic material or procedures may not be called by their commercial names.

SYMPOSIUM SPEAKERS AND CHAIR PERSONS

General
The sponsoring company of the Satellite Symposium may select speakers and topics. Slides must be prepared by the speakers and not by the sponsoring companies. No company logos or brand names are allowed as part of the design. ‘Manicured’ presentations bearing the same design for all speakers are not welcome. Rehearsals are only allowed to coordinate presentations, and not to exert influence on the speakers towards biased presentations.

ESOT Leadership
ESOT Executive Committee Members are not allowed to participate in any industry sponsored symposium during an ESOT Congress.

Sponsoring company speakers
A maximum of one speaker belonging to the sponsoring company is allowed.

Speaker involvement in multiple programmes
Any ESOT invited faculty cannot be involved in more than two industry symposia. Each company will be notified should one of their selected speakers already be involved in two other programmes. Invitations to the speakers may only be sent out, upon approval by the SPC and ESOT Leadership.

Speaker registration and expenses
ESOT shall not contribute to any of the industry faculty expenses, even if speakers are also contributing to the ESOT Scientific Programme. The industry sponsor is expected to refund or to support all travel and accommodation expenses for their faculty.

The invitation of speakers and chairpersons is the responsibility of the Symposium organisers. Symposium organisers are obliged to register speakers and chairpersons as regular delegates and accept to bear all related costs such as registration, travel and accommodation expenses. If the respective arrangements have not been made prior to the event, the ESOT secretariat will invoice the companies for the respective costs 3–4 months after the activity.

PROGRAMME CONTENT AND APPROVAL
The sponsoring organisation must submit a full symposium proposal to the ESOT Office upon the given deadline by ESOT. The final decision on the programme schedule however resides with the ESOT leadership who is responsible for balanced scientific content across all symposia.

In the case where the ESOT Leadership disapproves the Satellite Symposia programme, each party will be entitled to cancel the Satellite Symposia booking without any penalty fees for the cancellation or for any damages caused by the cancellation to the other party. Accordingly, upon such cancellation, neither of the parties will have any claims, demands or lawsuits towards the other.

CATERING
Organising companies are allowed to host food and beverage receptions for participants for a maximum of 30 minutes prior to the start of the symposium. For catering needs, please contact the official catering partner directly.

PRINTED MATERIALS AND SIGNAGE
The sponsor is permitted to produce printed matter (posters, programme, abstracts or proceedings). This material must be submitted for approval to the organiser at the latest 4 weeks before the start of the activity and must mention the approved ESOT sentence provided by the ESOT Office.

The sponsor is responsible for obtaining the speakers’ authorisation. Post-congress / meetings publications (print or electronic) are subject to the same rule. Printed matter can be mailed in advance and/or distributed at the sponsor’s exhibition booth, at the entrance of the lecture hall 30 minutes before the symposium, and in the sponsor’s assigned hotel. A sign with the title of the symposium and the logo of the sponsoring company at the lectern (Chair’s table) is permitted. Beyond the designated areas, no posters, signs or distribution of material is allowed in or around the congress / meeting center.

SYMPOSIA HALLS AND CAPACITY
Symposia halls are assigned by the organisers according to the number of attendees expected by the company hosting the Symposia. Please note that all conference rooms will be set-up in theatre style.

ACCESS TO LECTURE HALLS 
Important: You will only have access to your lecture hall 30 minutes before the start of your Satellite Symposium. For any special requests or for additional set-up time please contact the ESOT Office.

DELEGATE ACCESS
Only registered delegates are entitled to access Symposia. Each Symposium organiser is responsible for controlling the access to their session and for restricting the access for competitors’ staff if they wish.

EXHIBITOR ACCESS
All company employees with an exhibitor badge will be granted access to the company Satellite Symposium.

SYMPOSIA INFORMATION BOARD
The organisers will display the Industry Symposia programme on a panel in the Congress / meeting venue for the duration of the event.

SIGNAGE IN FRONT OF ROOMS
Digital signage may be provided by the congress / meeting organiser. Additional signage by the Symposium organisers is allowed upon approval of the ESOT Secretariat.

PROMOTION MATERIAL
It is the sponsors’ responsibility to remove flyers, banners or other promotion material that was not distributed during the symposium.

• GUIDELINES FOR ANCILLARY MEETINGS AND BLACKOUT TIMES

1. Commercial company events may not be held during the following restricted times unless they comply with point 3 below:
   Sunday 09.00 – 18.00
   Monday 07.30 – 19.00
   Tuesday 07.30 – 19.00
   Wednesday 07.30 – 11.00
2. All restricted times are reserved for ESOT programmes, meetings and functions.
3. ESOT provides commercial companies the right to hold company staff meetings, symposium slide previews involving company staff and invited speakers only, and clinical trial investigator meetings, provided that attendance be restricted to a limited number of investigators (less than 50) within the daily schedule of the ESOT activity. Should the meetings involve a large number of investigators commercial companies are required to hold these outside the scheduled hours of the official ESOT programme.
4. Explicitly excluded are any officially approved Industry Satellite Symposia. All these types of events are required to go through the ESOT scientific approval process. Any decisions regarding programme approval by ESOT is final. Appeals should be made in writing via ESOT secretariat. 
5. All events planned at the congress/meeting venue including pre and post symposia receptions must be approved by ESOT and must comply with the applicable codes, laws and regulations.

GUIDELINES FOR INDUSTRY/STUDY SPONSORS
Industry-sponsored press events can be organised to coincide with ESOT programme but should not however conflict with the timing of the official scientific programme or the Official Press Conference organised by ESOT and must adhere to the ESOT media embargo rules outlined in the following pages. 

Press events or media briefings by the industry are only allowed within the congress/meeting venue for the duration of ESOT congress/meeting if booked through ESOT’s official Press Office. One room is available to be booked via ESOT’s Press Office to industry partners for press events; otherwise the industry will need to find alternative solutions and arrangements outside the Congress centre / Meeting venue for media needs.

Industry events and press materials cannot use official ESOT and ESOT Congress / Meeting logos on any media materials or display signs. Media lists or lists of media attendees from previous ESOT Congresses and events are not made available to the industry or their communications representatives.

PRESS REGISTRATION
For the ESOT Congress, Press may register free of charge. In order to validate media registration, the congress organisers request proof of the journalist’s professional affiliation.

PHOTOGRAPHS, AUDIO AND VIDEO RECORDING
Photographs, as well as audio and video recordings, are not permitted at the ESOT official meeting sessions unless they are undertaken by ESOT. This regulation does not apply to industry-sponsored satellite symposia or stands in the exhibition area (exhibitors may only take pictures of their own stands for documentation purposes).

Photography and filming will be allowed during official ESOT press events.

 

• CODE OF PRACTICE

At all times, companies participating in ESOT activity as Sponsors or Exhibitors must ensure that their actions abide by the ESOT constitution, exhibition and sponsorship guidelines as well as this Code of Practice.

PURPOSE OF DOCUMENT

1. To serve as a means of regulating and defining participation, contribution, privileges and obligations of commercial companies at ESOT Congress, Meetings & Events and other sponsored activities.
2. To define a Code of Practice which reflects the mutual understanding and commitment of commercial companies and ESOT to support and organise an activity of high scientific value.
3. To set the foundations for a conference to take place with the highest ethical standards and to help companies fulfil their obligations under applicable codes, laws and regulations.
4. To apply relevant guidelines within this Code of Practice to non-commercial companies, in particular with regards to rules such as blackout times, use of name and logo, etc.

• COMPANY REPRESENTATION TO ESOT FOR THE ESOT CONGRESS

1. Commercial companies will be represented by a maximum of two members per company at all forums where ESOT Congress is discussed. Each company will have one vote with regard to any motions concerning the commercial companies so as to achieve a collective majority view to be presented to ESOT. Each company must provide ESOT with a list of contact people who will be working on the Congress from their organisation. Any changes to manpower should be communicated to ESOT in good time, and wherever possible, replacements advised. One key liaison officer/point of contact should be provided by each company.
2. The liaison officer will act as a single point of contact empowered to take decisions on behalf of the company and to serve as the interface for all major discussions in relation to ESOT Congress.

• OBLIGATIONS OF ESOT 

1. To organise and plan ESOT activities ensuring that the available budget from the commercial companies is used by ESOT to provide the basis for the best scientific content which will be organised in line with the ESOT Constitution and Guidelines document.
2. To ensure that ESOT activities are of high scientific value, professionally organised and planned in order to generate a reasonable financial surplus to support all the costs involved in the organisation of such meetings and to fund research grants, fellowships, travel bursaries and educational and scientific activities in line with the principles of the ESOT Constitution and its legal status.
3. To create and maintain a positive and professional public image of ESOT activities worldwide and expand the awareness of the event internationally and to new audiences.
4. To observe the highest principles of responsibility that protect against unethical behaviour.
5. To develop a schedule for ESOT activities to maximize attendee participation.
6. To invest in new technologies, tools, formats, etc. to provide dynamic delivery of educational content.
7. To offer opportunities to commercial companies to exhibit, hold industry symposia and provide access to maximum visibility during ESOT activities (in compliance with the applicable European and National regulations)
8. To ensure that no sponsors or other exhibitors at ESOT activities organise other events which conflict with the official ESOT Scientific Programme, President’s dinner or satellite symposia. Representatives of commercial companies, in this context, are also deemed to be responsible for the activities of their local affiliates. (Please refer to the black-out times).
9. To determine and enforce respect of blackout times for the overall benefit of all involved parties.
10. To ensure the content of the framework of activities provided during ESOT activities are compliant with national and European regulations.
11. To control and regulate the practices of any outsourced to ensure the transparent and appropriate use of funds as laid down in the ESOT Constitution.
12. To provide the means for regular dialogue between ESOT and commercial companies, thereby promoting a clear understanding of mutual problems and enabling conflicts to be avoided.
13. To provide sponsors and exhibitors with the relevant ESOT liaison officers and organisational contacts for the various elements of ESOT activities as well as advice on any change in manpower in good and reasonable time.

• OBLIGATIONS OF COMMERCIAL COMPANIES (SPONSORS AND EXHIBITORS)

1. To ensure that the company, its national or other branches, its agencies and any appointed suppliers and/or representatives adhere to the content of this Code of practice, as well as all the ESOT guidelines and constitution.
2. To ensure all events planned at the congress/meeting venue, including pre and post symposia receptions, are provided in good time to ESOT for approval and must comply with the applicable codes, laws and regulations.
3. To sign contracts within the given deadline and ensure payments are made on time according to agreed schedules.
4. To send industry programmes (titles and speakers) for review by the ESOT Leadership.
5. Ensure that industry symposium speakers make a maximum of two appearances in industry symposia during ESOT Activity. Presence by video or other electronic means also counts as an appearance.
6. Accept that no ESOT Executive Committee Member will participate in any sponsors’ public activities during the ESOT bi-annual Congress.

• BUSINESS CONDUCT

1. Companies are expected to conduct themselves in a way compatible with the highest standards of business practices with respect to all aspects of their participation in ESOT Activities. For example, Company employees or others acting on their behalf should not raise questions or otherwise intervene in satellite symposia sponsored by other companies with the intent of enhancing their own company products or making negative comments about competitor products.
2. Companies are expected to comply with all the applicable codes, laws and regulations that apply to their activities and to behave in a proper and ethical manner. Companies should put in place procedures that aim to ensure compliance and guard against inappropriate including review and approval systems. They should also ensure that all relevant personnel receive appropriate training concerning compliance with applicable rules.
3. Companies will be responsible for the behaviour of the employees, affiliates, agents and contracted suppliers working on their behalf.

• CONGRESS PLANNING

1. ESOT will keep all participating commercial companies informed of plans and preparations for each ESOT activity. Although commercial companies are welcome to express their opinion on the suitability of congress venues, it is accepted that the final decision regarding the location of the meetings is to be made by the ESOT leadership. Nevertheless, ESOT will endeavour to make arrangements that will be compatible with industry codes of practice at the time of planning.
2. The design, format and content of ESOT Activity are developed by the ESOT Scientific Programme Committee. The present format cannot be extensively altered unless approved by the ESOT Leadership.
3. ESOT shall provide the opportunity for regular communication with its Sponsors to address any questions related to ESOT Congress.

 

• INTERACTION BETWEEN ESOT AND THE INDUSTRY FOR THE ESOT CONGRESS

1. All congress sponsors and exhibitors will receive invitations to attend, and participate in the ESOT Congress kick-off meeting, taking place at the congress venue.
2. ESOT shall offer the opportunity for regular communication with its Sponsors to address any and all questions related to ESOT Congress.

• GUIDELINES FAQ

Use of logos

The use of ESOT and ESOT Activity names and logos is strictly subject to approval by the ESOT leadership. Any request to use the ESOT or ESOT Activity name and logo should be directed to the ESOT Office.

Use of name for the ESOT Congress
Organisers of approved Satellite Symposia may use the phrase ‘Integrated Symposium of ESOT Congress YEAR”. 

Webcasting at the ESOT Congress
Live webcasting is not permitted at ESOT Congress without consultation and approval by the Organising Secretariat, the ESOT Office. Any symposium and other industry-sponsored meetings which a sponsoring company wishes to webcast need to be approved by ESOT. 

Onsite Marketing activities
Onsite marketing activities for affiliate/exhibitor events by the commercial organisation are restricted to the sponsor’s exhibition booth. Sponsor’s promotion of the affiliate/exhibitor or off-site events is specifically forbidden in other areas of ESOT designated convention centre.

• EMBARGO POLICY

(SUBJECT TO CHANGE)

ESOT abstracts (title, authors, and institution names) will be made publicly available on the congress/meeting/event website two weeks in advance of the activity. A large number of these abstracts will also have their corresponding data sets made available online, and these abstracts are NOT under embargo.

A small number of abstracts may be selected and retained for use during official ESOT Press Office activities and/or in official ESOT Press Office materials, and data sets related to their presentation will be under embargo until the date and time stipulated by the ESOT Scientific Programme Committee. The exact time and date that these abstracts will be made publicly available will be posted on the congress/meeting/event website in the weeks preceding the ESOT activity.

Industry may issue a press release announcing that their abstract has been selected for inclusion in official ESOT Press Office activity or in official ESOT Press Office materials (abstract title only). Industry must not issue press releases, even under embargo, covering the data contained in abstracts selected to be highlighted during official ESOT Press Office activities or in official ESOT Press Office materials until the individual embargo for each data set lifts.

Media must not issue coverage of the data contained in abstracts selected to be highlighted during official ESOT Press Office activities or in official ESOT Press Office materials until the individual embargo for each data set lifts.

Journalists, industry, investigators and/or study sponsors must abide by the embargo times set by ESOT. Violation of the embargo will be taken seriously. Individuals and/or sponsors who violate ESOT’s embargo policies may face sanctions relating to current and future abstract submissions, presentations and visibility at ESOT Congress/Meeting/event. The ESOT leadership is at liberty to ban attendance and/or retract data.

Copyright for abstracts (both oral and poster) on the website and as made available during ESOT activity shall reside with the respective authors. No reproduction, re-use or transcription for any commercial purpose or use of the content is permitted without the written permission of the authors. Permission for re-use must be obtained directly from the author.

• PRESS / MEDIA GUIDELINES FOR INDUSTRY

Industry-sponsored press events can be organised to coincide with ESOT activity but should not conflict with the timing of the official scientific programme or the Official Press Conference organised by ESOT and must adhere to the ESOT media embargo rules outlined before.

Press events or media briefings by the industry are only allowed within the congress/meeting/event venue for the duration of the ESOT congress/meeting/event if booked through ESOT Office. One room is available to be booked via ESOT’s Press Office to industry partners for press events; otherwise, the industry will need to find alternative solutions and arrangements outside the congress venue.

Industry events and press materials cannot use official ESOT and ESOT activity logos on any media materials or display signs. Media lists or lists of media attendees from previous ESOT Congresses, meetings and events are not made available to the industry or their communications representatives.

LANGUAGE
The official language of all ESOT activities is English.

PRESS REGISTRATION
The press may register for ESOT Congresses, meetings and events free of charge. In order to validate media registration, the congress organisers request proof of the journalist’s professional affiliation.

PHOTOGRAPHS, AUDIO AND VIDEO RECORDING
Photographs, as well as audio and video recordings, are not permitted at the ESOT official meeting sessions unless done by ESOT. This regulation does not apply to industry-sponsored satellite symposia or stands in the exhibition area (exhibitors may only take pictures of their own stands for documentation purposes). Photography and filming will be allowed during official ESOT press events.

 

• TERMS & CONDITIONS

APPLICATION TO PARTICIPATE
Application to participate will be considered only if submitted on the appropriate forms, duly completed, signed and accompanied by the necessary payment. Registration will be confirmed insofar as space is available. Applicants will be informed in writing of the acceptance or refusal of their application. In case of refusal, all payments shall be fully refunded within 60 days upon notification of refusal.

APPLICATION TERMS
ESOT reserves the right to accept or reject this application (the «Application») at its own discretion.

Upon acceptance, a copy of the countersigned Application (the sponsorship agreement, hereinafter the «Agreement») and an invoice will be sent to the Sponsor/Exhibitor. The first instalment must be paid within 21 days upon receipt of the invoice by the Sponsor/Exhibitor.

Cancellation of part of the Agreement does not automatically result in the entire Agreement being terminated.

ESOT reserves the right to amend the Conference programme with a possible direct or indirect effect on sponsoring activities. If this is the case, ESOT will ensure that any changes cause as little hindrance as possible to the Sponsor/Exhibitor. Such amendments are not causing for cancellation of the present Agreement.

In case of cancellation resulting from a «force majeure» clause, ESOT’s responsibility will be determined according to the terms of the contract signed with every sponsor/exhibitor.

CANCELLATION
Cancellation should be made in writing as per the conditions issued in the signed agreement.

 

SPECIFIC GUIDELINES FOR ESOT CONGRESS 

DAMAGES / SAFETY / INSURANCE
Companies are responsible for all property damage as well as any loss or injury caused by their property, agents or employees. Companies will indemnify the organisers against all claims and expenses arising from any damages. For the ESOT Congress specifically, it is therefore required that all exhibitors and their subcontractors have a minimum of EUR 2’000’000 public liability insurance.

INDUSTRY SYMPOSIA PROGRAMME CONTENT AND APPROVAL
The sponsoring organisation must submit a full symposium proposal to the ESOT Office. The final decision on the programme schedule, however, resides with the ESOT leadership, who is responsible for balanced scientific content across all symposia.

Topics, speakers and chairs of integrated symposia must be approved by the ESOT leadership.

PRINTED MATERIALS AND SIGNAGE
The sponsor is permitted to produce printed matter (posters, programmes, abstracts or proceedings). This material must be submitted for approval to the organiser at the latest four weeks before the start of the congress and must mention the approved ESOT sentence provided by the ESOT Office.

‘Integrated Industry Symposium of ESOT Congress”

OBLIGATIONS OF COMMERCIAL COMPANIES (SPONSORS AND EXHIBITORS)
Accept that no ESOT Executive Committee Member will participate in any sponsors’ public activities during the ESOT bi-annual Congress.

USE OF ESOT CONGRESS LOGO AND NAME
Use of name for the ESOT Congress
Organisers of approved Satellite Symposia may use the phrase ‘Integrated Symposium of ESOT Congress”.

WEBCASTING AT THE ESOT CONGRESS
Live webcasting is not permitted at ESOT Congress without consultation and approval by the Organising Secretariat, the ESOT Office. Any symposium and other industry-sponsored meetings which a sponsoring company wishes to webcast need to be approved by ESOT.