After careful consideration of the ongoing spread of COVID-19 overseas and in the United States, the American Society of Gene & Cell Therapy (ASGCT) Board of Directors has decided not to conduct ASGCT’s 2020 Annual Meeting in Boston, Massachusetts scheduled for May 2020.
ASGCT has come to the conclusion that it is only possible to fulfill the Society’s mission by hosting the 23rd Annual Meeting virtually and as-scheduled.
It is our hope that the ability to share innovative science, connect virtually with peers from around the world, and learn from one another will bring forth a sense of renewed optimism in light of the continuing challenges ahead.
ASGCT has been monitoring the COVID-19 situation with the health, safety, and well-being of our guests, employees, contractors, speakers, and attendees in mind. The ASGCT Board arrived at this difficult decision after consulting with speakers, vendors, exhibitors, and other Meeting participants, and gathering information from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, World Health Organization, Massachusetts Governor, Boston Mayor, and other health authorities. Ultimately, the global nature of our Meeting, rapidly escalating health concerns regarding COVID-19, ongoing travel and other restrictions, and Governor Baker’s recent directive instructing those traveling to Massachusetts to self-quarantine for 14 days, made it impossible for us to hold the Meeting at this time.
We urge those who were planning to attend the Meeting to expedite flight and hotel cancellations. We also ask for your patience as we work diligently to address questions and provide additional information to our participants and guests.
If you have any questions regarding your exhibit or sponsorship at the ASGCT Annual Meeting, please do not hesitate to contact your ASGCT representative, and they will help you directly.
All registered attendees will receive an email on Monday, May 11 with a link to sign into the Virtual Meeting.
All registrations, including those for the pre-meeting workshops to be held on May 11, will be honored in this new virtual environment. Registered attendees will have the option to refund the difference of the virtual and in-person rates, donate the difference to ASGCT, or cancel their registration.
All sessions will be made available to attendees for up to 30 days after the conclusion of the Annual Meeting. The content of the on-demand archive is dependent on allowance from speakers to rebroadcast their presentations as part of the on-demand archive. Because of the necessary manual edits, attendees can expect a delay of up to 24 hours for on-demand recordings to be available.
ASGCT is working to transition the registration website from an in-person Annual Meeting to a Virtual Meeting. The transition period will take around a week and ASGCT will reach out to attendees to confirm registration to the virtual meeting. Refunds will be issued over a two to three-week period.
There will no longer be a group registration option now that the meeting is virtual.
As all schedules were originally written for EDT in Boston, the live stream schedule remain in EDT. ASGCT is working directly with all speakers to amend any necessary speaking agreements to allow for on-demand viewing for registrants following the conclusion of sessions.
When will I be able to register for the Virtual Meeting?
ASGCT is transitioning the registration website from an in-person Annual Meeting to a Virtual Meeting. The transition will take around a week and the new virtual rates will be available for registration on April 10. The new rates will be as follows:
Annual Meeting
Pre-Meeting Workshops (Held on May 11)
With the announcement of the Virtual Meeting, ASGCT has eliminated the early registration deadline.
If you booked within the ASGCT room block, your reservation will be cancelled and any deposit paid will be returned. Please contact your hotel directly to confirm.
If you booked a room outside of the hotel block or through a third-party booking system, you will need to manage your reservation with them.
We appreciate your continued understanding as ASGCT works to finalize plans for it's first-ever virtual Annual Meeting. We will update this space in the coming days and weeks, along with direct communication to attendees and members, with additional information on registration, presentations, abstracts, and more.
Abstract Notifications Sent
April 6, 2020
Abstracts Released
April 28, 2020
23rd ASGCT Annual Meeting
May 12 – 15, 2020
Use the ASGCT app on your mobile device to build your schedule, read the abstracts (released on April 28), and guide your way through the Hynes Convention Center.
Hynes Convention Center
900 Boylston St.
Boston, MA 02115
