Policies

CHILDREN AND THE ASHT ANNUAL MEETING 

The ASHT Annual Meeting is a professional, scientific meeting. ASHT does not permit anyone under the age of 18 to attend Pre-Conference Institutes, plenary, instructional concurrent, scientific and poster sessions, exposition and social events. For safety reasons, only registered exhibitors are permitted in the exposition hall during set-up and take-down hours. Anyone 18+ must register and buy applicable individual tickets if not attending/registering as a student.

ELECTRONIC DEVICES 

As a courtesy to other meeting attendees, please turn off or silence all electronic devices during all workshops, sessions and presentations.

EVENT PHOTO/VIDEO WAIVER

For good and valuable consideration, the receipt of which is hereby acknowledged, I grant to American Society of Hand Therapists and those acting under its permission or authority (collectively, “ASHT”), the irrevocable royalty-free right and permission to record, copy, publicly display, publicly perform, publish, modify, use and reuse my voice, image, photograph, portrait, likeness, and biographical information, including portions, composites, likenesses or distortions or alterations of same (“Likeness”), made during or in connection with my attendance of this ASHT Annual Meeting, for use in any Materials to be shown in all media now known or hereafter devised, for an unlimited term. I acknowledge that all such Materials are the property of ASHT as a work made for hire (or, if not, then I assign all of my rights in and to the Materials to ASHT), and that I will not receive any compensation as a result of any use of my Likeness in such Materials. I waive any right to inspect or approve the finished Materials, and release, waive and agree not to make any claim against ASHT in connection with any use of the Likeness, including, without limitation, any claim that such use invades any right of privacy, publicity and/or personality, defamation, libel, moral right, and any other personal and/or property right under the law of any country or jurisdiction. This agreement shall inure to the benefit of and shall be binding upon the parties’ respective successors, licensees, assigns, heirs and personal representatives, and cannot be amended except by written agreement.

Health & Safety

In accordance with the Department of Health and Human Services’ decision to expire the Public Health Emergency for COVID-19 starting May 11, 2023, ASHT will not require a specific vaccination status for attendees of the 2024 Annual Meeting, and masks will be optional. Masks are encouraged for those in recent close contact with someone with COVID-19. Attendees who are experiencing symptoms or have tested positive for COVID-19 are strongly encouraged to forego the meeting.

ASHT reserves the right to modify this policy if the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency status changes at any time.

ASHT PROGRAM CODE OF CONDUCT

All ASHT events aim to be inclusive of the largest number of contributors, with the most varied and diverse backgrounds possible. As such, ASHT is committed to providing a professional, collegial, safe, supportive and respectful meeting environment (virtual and face-to-face), regardless of a person’s race, color, ethnicity, national origin, citizenship status, age, religion, disability status, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, genetic information, physical appearance or other characteristics (“personal characteristics”). ASHT expects individuals to uphold the professional and educational purposes of ASHT and its events by respecting the rights, privacy, safety and dignity of all persons. ASHT expects individuals to exercise professionalism, consideration and respect in their speech and actions. ASHT expects individuals to refrain from harassing speech and other harassing behavior.

SCOPE AND APPLICATION

The Program Code of Conduct and this Policy apply to any virtual gathering or in-person event that is hosted or sponsored by ASHT, including but not limited to virtual educational symposia, exhibits, committee meetings, written comment and discussion groups, professional gatherings and platforms and setting ancillary thereto (each an “ASHT Event”). This Policy applies to any and all participants in ASHT Events, including but not limited to employees, members, volunteers, guests, vendors, contractors, exhibitors, faculty and other attendees (each a “Participant”).

UNACCEPTABLE BEHAVIOR

Unacceptable behavior is defined as:

  • Unwelcome and uninvited attention or contact with another Participant;
  • Verbal or written comments, or visual images, that are sexually suggestive, or that denigrate or show hostility or aversion toward an individual, or group of individuals, or that create an intimidating, hostile or offensive environment, or that unreasonably interfere with an individual’s ability to participate in the ASHT Event;
  • Unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, or other unwelcomed physical, verbal, visual, or other conduct of a sexual nature;
  • Inappropriate, unnecessary, or irrelevant use of nudity and/or sexual images;
  • Intimidating, harassing, abusive, defamatory, profane, discriminatory, derogatory or demeaning speech;
  • Harmful or prejudicial verbal or written comments or visual images related to personal characteristics;
  • Deliberate intimidation or stalking;
  • Harassing photography or recording;
  • Sustained or repeated disruption of talks or other events;
  • Express or implied threat of physical or professional harm;
  • Actual or threatened personal or professional retaliation for a rejection or report of unacceptable behavior;
  • Failing to stop unacceptable behavior when requested by a Participant or ASHT.

REPORTING UNACCEPTABLE BEHAVIOR

Any Participant whose safety is threatened or violated is urged to contact local law enforcement immediately.

In addition, any Participant who feels unsafe or experiences unwelcome conduct, who observes or experiences unacceptable behavior, or who believes there has been a violation of this Policy, is encouraged to come to the registration desk immediate to report this violation to a member of the ASHT Staff, or send an email to meetings@asht.org or call (856) 380-6851.

CONSEQUENCES OF REPORTED UNACCEPTABLE BEHAVIOR

Upon receiving a report of unacceptable behavior, ASHT’s first priority will be the safety and security of Participants. In order to preserve a safe, educational environment, ASHT reserves the right to remove a Participant from an ASHT Event, suspend or terminate specific features available to a Participant or to suspend or terminate the Participant’s entire account. In addition, ASHT reserves the right to prohibit Participant attendance at any future ASHT Event. Violation of this Policy, as determined by ASHT in its sole discretion, is grounds for any action that ASHT deems appropriate, including but not limited to warning the offender, denying the offender access to an ASHT Event (including revoking or denying registration to an ASHT Event), suspending or terminating the offender’s access to the ASHT Event, and barring the offender from other ASHT Events. ASHT reserves the right to take whatever action it, in its sole discretion, deems appropriate, with respect to the investigation of any matters related to this Policy. Any person who is denied access to or whose access is terminated during an ASHT Event based on this Policy may request that ASHT review the matter after the ASHT Event has concluded. However, ASHT’s action will be effective immediately and will continue until and unless ASHT issues a contrary decision. Unless a contrary decision is issued, any person who is denied access to or removed from an ASHT Event based on this Policy will not be eligible for a refund of any registration fees paid for access to or participation in the ASHT Event. By registering for an ASHT program (virtual or in-person), you acknowledge your registration is subject to ASHT’s Program Code of Conduct Policy. If you have any questions regarding this policy or attendee conduct, please contact meetings@asht.org or asht@asht.org.

ANTITRUST AVOIDANCE

United States antitrust law is a collection of federal and state government laws, which regulates the conduct and organization of business corporations, generally to promote fair competition for the benefit of consumers. Antitrust law prohibits the exchange of information among competitors or collusive practices that would minimize competition or result in the restraint of trade.

Potential Areas for Antitrust Violation

  • pricing of services
  • surveys
  • membership exclusion or expulsion
  • product standards
  • code of ethics
  • standard setting
  • articles, publications, website
  • discussion forums
  • meetings, speakers
  • certification
  • tradeshow and advertising exclusion
  • referrals and recommendations
  • discount programs

To ensure that the Society and its members comply with antitrust laws, the following principles will be observed:

  • The Society or any division, committee, task force or activity of the Society shall not be used for the purpose of bringing about or attempting to bring about any understanding of agreement, written or oral, formal or informal, expressed or implied, among two or more members or other competitors with regard to prices or terms and conditions of contracts for services or products. Therefore, discussions and exchanges of information about such topics will not be permitted at Society meetings or other activities.
  • There will be no discussions discouraging or withholding patronage or services from or encouraging exclusive dealing with any supplier or purchaser or group of suppliers or purchasers of products and services, any actual or potential competitor or group of actual potential competitors, or any private or governmental entity.