General Questions

Is the meeting in person or online?

The 60th STS Annual Meeting will take place in person at the Henry B. González Convention Center in San Antonio, Texas, and will feature thought-provoking lectures, late-breaking research, immersive surgical videos, and the outstanding didactic educational programs you’ve come to expect. Select events, like hands-on courses, the President’s Reception, the Exhibit Hall, and the Extraordinary Women in Cardiothoracic Surgery Awards Breakfast, will be offered only at the in-person conference. 

For those who cannot travel to San Antonio, a digital option is available. The digital option, called Plenary Livestream-Plus, includes access to on-demand recordings of nearly all the content delivered during the meeting, plus the opportunity to view four plenary sessions and the Presidential Address as they happen via livestream. 

Both in-person and Livestream-Plus registrants receive access to the recorded meeting content (“Annual Meeting Online”), which will be added to the meeting website within a few days of the event and remain available for one year. 

Where will the meeting take place?

All educational programming for the 60th STS Annual Meeting will take place at: 

Henry B. González Convention Center 
900 E. Market Street
San Antonio, TX 78205

How and where do I book a hotel stay?

Exclusive discounted rates are available when you reserve your hotel through the Society’s room block by January 2, 2024. Book early as certain hotels have limited availability. You must register for the Annual Meeting before reserving a room in the STS room block.

Which is the headquarters hotel?

The headquarters hotel for STS 2024 is the Grand Hyatt San Antonio River Walk. More information can be found on the Annual Meeting Registration & Hotel website.

Will transportation be provided from the official STS hotels to the convention center?

No. All of the STS hotels are located within walking distance of the Henry B. González Convention Center. 

What is Plenary Livestream-Plus?

Plenary Livestream-Plus is a virtual-only registration option for those who cannot travel to San Antonio. It includes the opportunity to view four plenary sessions and the Presidential Address in real time via livestream, plus access to nearly all the content delivered during the meeting. Session recordings will be added to the meeting website within a few days of the event, for viewing on demand. Plenary Livestream-Plus purchasers will have access to these recordings for one year. Continuing medical education credit will be available. 

Is Plenary Livestream-Plus the same as Annual Meeting Online?

No. Plenary Livestream-Plus is an enhanced offering that includes five presentations streamed live during the Annual Meeting, in addition to the recorded archive of most Annual Meeting content. Like Annual Meeting Online, it guarantees access to the meeting content for one year after the event. Anyone who purchases Annual Meeting Online (available after January 30) will have access to all session recordings, but will not be able to participate in the livestreamed plenary sessions during the conference. 

How much does registration cost?

Visit the STS 2024 Pricing page for details. Early bird registration rates are available until October 18, 2023. 

What type of continuing education credit is available?

The Society of Thoracic Surgeons is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) to provide continuing medical education for physicians.

Physician Assistants (PAs) also may claim AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™ for completing this activity. The number of available credits and instructions for claiming credit will be shared closer to the event. 

I registered to attend in person but would like to switch to Plenary Livestream-Plus. How do I change my registration?

Send a message to the STS Registration and Hotel Support Center and a representative will assist you in transferring your registration.

My question isn’t listed here. Whom can I contact?

Onsite Questions

Can I register when I arrive?

Advance registration is strongly recommended, however onsite registration will be available every day, Friday, January 26, through Monday, January 29.

When is the Exhibit Hall open?

Exhibit hall hours are:  

  • Saturday, January 27, 9 a.m. - 6:15 p.m. CT
  • Sunday, January 28, 9:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. CT
  • Monday, January 29, 8 a.m. - 11:15 a.m. CT

The Exhibit Hall Opening Reception will take place Saturday, January 27, 4:45 p.m. - 6 p.m. CT, and also feature the CT Surgery Resident Showdown finals.

E-Poster presentations and product theaters hosted by industry also will take place during regular Exhibit Hall hours. 

When is the Presidential Address?

Thomas E. MacGillivray, MD, will deliver his presidential address on Sunday, January 28, at 10:40 a.m. CT (the plenary session will begin at 10:30 a.m. CT).

When is the President's Reception?

STS will honor the presidency of Thomas E. MacGillivray, MD, at a special event on Sunday, January 28, 7 - 9:30 p.m. CT. Join your colleagues and immerse yourself in the history, culture, and natural artifacts of Texas at the Witte Museum, a beautiful and immersive venue “where nature, science, and culture meet.” Complimentary shuttles will transport attendees from STS hotels and the convention center. Purchase a ticket when registering for the meeting; don’t delay, as space is limited.

Are any additional educational programs available?

Yes. The Annual Meeting includes a selection of hands-on courses on a range of topics in cardiothoracic surgery, as well as the pre-meeting Lung Transplant Symposium (Friday, January 26, 2024). These can be added during the registration process and require additional fees. 

  • Lung Transplant Symposium: For in-person attendees, registration for STS 2024 is a requirement to add on symposium attendance. Those unable to travel to San Antonio may register to attend the symposium as a stand-alone, livestreamed event. The symposium has an additional fee. 
  • Hands-on Courses: Four programs will be offered on different days of the meeting, representing general thoracic, adult cardiac, and congenital topics. Registration for STS 2024 is a requirement. Hands-on courses are available at an additional fee; make selections and add them during meeting registration. 
Which events require an additional ticket?

Hands-On Courses, the President's Reception, the pre-meeting Lung Transplant Symposium, and the Extraordinary Women in Cardiothoracic Surgery Awards Breakfast each require an additional ticket that can be purchased during Annual Meeting registration.

When is the Extraordinary Women in Cardiothoracic Surgery Award Breakfast?

The Awards Breakfast will take place Saturday, January 21, 2023, 6:30 a.m. - 7:30 a.m. CT. The event is open to all in-person meeting registrants, but a ticket is required and can be purchased during Annual Meeting registration.

What is the dress code?

Dress is business casual. Check the current weather report for San Antonio, Texas.

Virtual Experience

How do I access the Livestream and recorded content?

All registrants will receive an email approximately one week before the Annual Meeting with instructions for joining the plenary session livestreams.

No on-demand content will be available prior to the meeting. As sessions occur and the recordings are created, they will be added to the meeting website for viewing. Most session recordings should be available within 72 hours of taking place and stay online for one year. 

In what time zone are the plenary sessions live-streamed?

The meeting schedule is displayed in Central Time. 

What content is included with Plenary Livestream-Plus?

Plenary Livestream-Plus includes nearly all of the content presented during STS 2024, with the exception of hands-on courses and special events. Plenary sessions (which include the Vivien Thomas Lecture, the C. Walton Lillehei Lecture, Thomas B. Ferguson Lecture, and the Clark, Chamberlain, and Twedell papers) and the Presidential Address will be streamed live and can be viewed in real time. All other sessions will be recorded and available on demand in the meeting website. Recordings will be available to all registrants for one year. This provides a subsequent opportunity to earn significantly more continuing medical education credit beyond what you can earn during the live event.  

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