Media Guidelines

STS 45th Annual Meeting
Press Room Guidelines

The Society of Thoracic Surgeons welcomes you to the STS Annual Meeting. Click here for the Registration Form. Please complete Section 1 only, and write PRESS at the top of the form. Fax your form with a copy of your press credentials to Rachel Dixon at 312-202-5803. (Note: This fax number differs from that on the registration form.) If you have questions pertaining to these guidelines, please contact STS Marketing and Communications Director Nancy Gray Puckett at (312) 202-5819, or Marketing and Communications Manager Sharon Porta at (312) 202-5844.

I.  Registration for Journalists

Registration is complimentary for professional journalists who provide editorial coverage and who meet the eligibility criteria listed below.

II.  Media Qualifications

Media professionals must be currently employed by a news organization from one of the following outlets to receive media credentials: a) general circulation newspapers or magazines, b) wire services, c) business, medical or health care publications, d) online news services, e) broadcast (television or radio) stations. Please see below for specific media eligibility credentials.

Exhibitors: Media credentials and complimentary registration will not be given to exhibitors at the STS Annual Meeting. Exhibitors may, however, leave promotional materials or press releases in the Press Room for members of the media.

III. Media Eligibility Criteria

Journalists are required to present proper documentation when registering for the STS Annual Meeting. Please be sure to read the requirements for your respective media category.

A. General Circulation Newspapers, Wire Services, Trade Publications

• Current masthead with the reporter's name published in the previous year
• A by-lined articles with the author's name
• A letter of assignment, on the organization's letterhead, that states the reporter or editor has been retained to cover the STS Annual Meeting.

B. Online Publications

The Web site must provide original, editorial news coverage and the site's editorial content must be independent of advertising/sponsorship. Also, an editorial board must oversee the Web site's content and any advertising must be identified as such. If these criteria are met, online media representatives must present:

• Two (2) by-lined articles published on the site in the previous year or a letter of assignment, on the organization's letterhead, that states the reporter or editor has been reatained to cover the STS Annual Meeting.
• Personal Web pages do not qualify for media credentials.

C. Broadcast Media

• An original letter of assignment on the organization's letterhead.

D. Freelance Writers

• One by-lined article related to health care published in the previous year.
• An original letter of assignment on an organizations letterhead that states the freelance writer has been retained to cover the STS Annual Meeting.

IV. General Conditions

• Media representatives may cover only scientific events of the Annual Meeting.
• Media representatives are not permitted to attend the Business Meeting, which is reserved for members only.
• Press conferences are prohibited at the STS Annual Meeting.
• Cameras and video cameras are not allowed without expressed written permission from the STS Marketing and Communications department.
• Any individual who carries a media badge and who violates the criteria established for members of the media will: 1) forfeit media credentials immediately, and 2) forfeit media credentials for subsequent Annual Meetings. Members of the media are considered in violation of the STS policy if: 
       -- Media representatives market, sell or represent a company for the purpose of obtaining advertising or subscription from any registrant or exhibitor.
       -- Media representatives secure a press badge for the express purpose of marketing a product or service displayed in the exhibit hall.
       -- Media representatives are found to have misrepresented themselves (through name, title, or affiliation) upon securing media credentials to the STS Annual Meeting.
• Staff members from the STS Marketing and Communications department reserve the right to re-classify on-site any media representative who has pre-registered or registered under the wrong category.
  
  
  
  
  The Society of Thoracic Surgeons is a not-for-profit organization representing more than 5,600 surgeons worldwide who provide heart, lung, esophageal, and other surgical procedures for the chest. Founded in 1964, the mission of STS is to enhance the ability of cardiothoracic surgeons to provide the highest quality patient care through education, research, and advocacy.