FAQs

COVID-19 VACCINATION POLICY
In line with the Tasmanian government border entry requirements, all MS Australia Progress in MS Research Scientific Conference attendees must be up to date with COVID-19 vaccinations. You can learn more about the Tasmanian government policy here.


WHAT HAPPENS IF THE CONFERENCE IS CANCELLED DUE TO COVID-19?
Should the conference be impacted by COVID-19, MS Australia intends to reschedule the event. Delegates will be notified immediately if this occurs and will be offered to assign their conference registration fees to the new conference dates unless a refund is requested.

We encourage you to read and understand your travel and accommodation terms, conditions and cancellation policies prior to making bookings.


WHO SHOULD ATTEND THE CONFERENCE?
The conference is designed to promote the exchange of scientific thought and break down barriers to MS research in Australia and is primarily design to cater for neurologists, MS nurses, scientists, biologists, social and allied health researchers and other qualified individuals interested in advancing the field of multiple sclerosis (MS) research.


WHY SHOULD I ATTEND THE CONFERENCE?
The MS Australia Progress in MS Research Scientific Conference is Australia’s premiere scientific conference dedicated to MS. It is designed to facilitate collaboration and break down the barriers to research. With key national and international researchers in attendance this is a unique opportunity to expand your research network, build collaboration, gain insights and learn more about the latest developments in MS research.


WHAT ARE THE CONFERENCE DATES AND VENUE?
The MS Australia Progress in MS Research Scientific Conference is being held Sunday, 3 April to Tuesday, 5 April 2022 at the Hotel Grand Chancellor Hobart, 1 Davey Street, Hobart TAS 7000.


HOW DO I GET TO THE CONFERENCE VENUE?
The conference venue is a short walk from most Hobart CBD hotels. Click here for a map, so you can plan your travels.


IS THERE PARKING AT THE CONFERENCE VENUE?
Grand Chancellor Hobart offers valet and self-parking for in-house guests and conference attendees. View parking rates here.


HOW MUCH DOES IT COST TO ATTEND THE CONFERENCE?
Conference registration passes are available as follows.



Note: proof of student status is required, in order to purchase a student pass, you will be required to upload a photo of your student ID card at time of registration.

^ Early bird passes are available until 11:59pm on Wednesday, 30 June 2021. To qualify for early bird pricing your conference registration pass must be purchased and paid for
   in full prior to 11:59pm on Wednesday, 30 June 2021.

^^ Regular passes are effective from Thursday, 1 July 2021.


HOW DO I PAY FOR MY CONFERENCE REGISTRATION PASS?
All prices are in Australian dollars (AUD) and include GST. Conference passes must be paid by credit card (Visa, MasterCard or AMEX) during the online conference registration process. All credit card transactions incur a 3% merchant fee.

Please note that conferences passes are only confirmed upon receipt of payment.


I NEED A TAX INVOICE!
A tax invoice is provided for all registrations, you can download your tax invoice by using the link within your conference registration email.

Should you require a tax invoice for each attendee please ensure you register each attendee separately.


WHAT IS THE CONFERENCE DRESS CODE?
Casual business attire is suitable for the conference and its social events.


CAN I SHARE MY CONFERENCE PASS WITH SOMEONE?
Splitting of conference passes is not allowed under any circumstances. Delegates who wish to attend must purchase a conference pass.


CAN I CANCEL MY CONFERENCE PASS?
Cancellations must be received in writing to the conference secretariat according to the following schedule:

• 1 January 2021 - 28 February 2022 | 50% Refund
• 1 March 2022 - 5 April 2022 | No Refund
• Non-payment does not constitute cancellation

Should you need to cancel your conference registration because you are COVID-19 positive, isolating or are unwell please contact the conference secretariat immediately. Your registration will be put into credit for you to use at the next conference.


I CAN NO LONGER ATTEND; CAN I GIVE MY CONFERENCE PASS TO SOMEONE IN MY ORGANISATION?

If you are unable to attend the conference after registering, a substitution from the same organisation is permitted at no charge. Please submit the substitution notification to the conference secretariat.

Notification must be received in writing by Friday, 1 April 2022. For substitutions after the deadline, please bring written notification to the onsite registration area at the conference.


CAN I GET A REFUND, I DID NOT ATTEND THE CONFERENCE?
No refunds will be made for non-attendance at the conference and any unpaid registration fees will still be payable.

In the case of medical emergency which has caused a registered delegate not to attend the conference, the conference secretariat must be provided with a medical certificate or appropriate documentation before any refund will be considered. When the conference secretariat is advised of a situation after the conference, and a refund is deemed to be appropriate, the delegate must still pay the administration fee along with any catering charges incurred as a result of their cancelled registration for all catering events at which they were scheduled to attend.


WHAT HAPPENS IF THE CONFERENCE IS CANCELLED DUE TO COVID-19?
Should the conference be impacted by COVID-19, MS Australia intends to reschedule the event. Delegates will be notified immediately if this occurs and will be offered to assign their conference registration fees to the new conference dates unless a refund is requested.

We encourage you to read and understand your travel and accommodation terms, conditions and cancellation policies prior to making bookings.


CAN I HAVE LETTER OF INVITATION
Please note that our policy is to only issue a letter of invitation to an international delegate once conference registration and full payment has been received. A letter of invitation from the conference does not guarantee entry into Australia. Please contact the conference secretariat to request a letter of invitation after your registration and payment has been submitted.


I NEED ACCOMMODATION, WHAT DO I DO?
Delegates are responsible for organising and managing their own accommodation directly with their preferred hotel, and must comply with the hotels rates, validity, terms, conditions and cancellation policies.

All hotel rates, validity, terms, conditions and cancellation policies can be found on the hotel’s website and booking site. We encourage you to read and understand the hotel’s rates, validity, terms, conditions and cancellation policies prior to making a booking.

A list of suggested hotels and preferential rates secured for conference delegates has been published on the conference website, click here.

MS Australia, the conference secretariat, staff and/or its agents and others working under its authority do not accept responsibility for any accommodation booked by delegates.


WHAT ARE TASMANIA'S BORDER ENTRY CONDITIONS?
Please ensure you are informed regarding Tasmania’s border entry conditions, click here to view current advice and requirements. 

Click here to learn more about face mask protocols.


DO I NEED TO RSVP TO THE SOCIAL EVENTS?
Registration as a delegate, sponsor or exhibitor attendee does not automatically constitute as confirmed attendance for any social events during the course of the conference. Every attendee (even those entitled to complimentary registrations) must respond in the affirmative as attending social functions by selecting options during the online registration process. Places at social functions are not held if an affirmative response is not received to the attending option.

As alcohol is on offer, all social functions are classed as a licenced event. The venue’s alcoholic beverage license requires that venue staff shall: (i) request proper identification (photo ID) of any person of questionable age and refuse alcoholic beverage service if the person is either under age or proper identification cannot be produced, and (ii) refuse alcoholic beverage service to any person who, in the venue’s judgment, appears intoxicated.


DOES THE REGISTRATION FEE INCLUDE INSURANCE?
Registration fees do not include insurance of any kind and delegates shall be regarded in every aspect as carrying their own risk for personal injury and loss or injury to property, including baggage during the conference. It is strongly recommended that delegates take out their own general travel insurance. It is suggested that the insurance policy should also cover loss of fees/deposit, airfares, accommodation charges, medical expenses, loss or damage to personal property and repatriation expenses. The insurance should cover loss arising from the cancellation of the conference by the organisers or a person’s inability to attend due to any reason whatsoever. No responsibility is taken by MS Australia, the conference secretariat, staff and/or its agents and others working under its authority for any person not holding insurance and any loss in this regard.


WILL THERE BE PHOTOGRAPHY AND VIDEOGRAPHY AT THE CONFERENCE?
Please note that photographs and video will be taken throughout the conference and at the social events. These will be used for promotional activities including display on websites and social media platforms. If you do not want your photograph or any video footage taken, or used, you are required to formally advise the conference secretariat in advance by email.


WHAT ABOUT CONFERENCE SECURITY?
MS Australia, the conference secretariat, staff and/or its agents and others working under its authority accept no liability for personal accident or loss or damage suffered by any participant, accompanying person, invited observer or any other person by whatever means. Nor do we accept liability for any equipment or software brought to the conference by delegates, speakers, sponsors or any other party. Please protect your personal property. Do not leave laptops, cameras, and other valuable items unsecured. Be conscious of individuals who appear out of place and do not wear a conference name badge. Advise conference secretariat staff if this does not occur. If you have any questions, please contact the conference secretariat.


I HAVE SPECIAL DIETARY REQUIREMENTS - WHAT DO I DO?
Please advise the conference secretariat of any special dietary requirements when you register for the conference. Caterers at each function will be informed and during the day there will be a buffet table offering food suitable for dietary requirements. If you are unsure, please don’t hesitate to ask staff at the registration desk.

IMPORTANT - If your dietary request relates to a life-threatening allergy, please ensure that you advise the organisers as soon as possible.


I AM A SPEAKER, WHAT SHOULD I DO?
Please send your PowerPoint presentation to the conference secretariat by Friday,4 March 2022. Any changes can be provided to the conference secretariat up until Friday, 1 April 2022 after this time please bring your PowerPoint presentation with you to the conference.

Prior to the conference all speakers will receive communication regarding an on-site briefing to meet with their session chair, audio visual technician and to familiarise themselves with the room and the audio-visual equipment.

Speaker rehearsal allocations are available each day prior to the conference commencing, during morning/afternoon tea breaks and at lunch. If you would like to confirm a rehearsal allocation, please contact the conference secretariat prior to the conference to arrange.

All speakers should present themselves to the conference secretariat on arrival to collect their conference credentials.


SOCIAL MEDIA
MS Australia does not permit the recording of presentations and workshops at the conference under any circumstances or in any form of media, including but not limited to audio recordings, video recordings, or literal transcripts unless you acquire a written consent.

MS Australia permits and encourages the use of social media, such as Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Google+, Snapchat and blogging at the conference as a way to summarise, highlight, review, critique, and/or promote the presented materials, or the conference in general, on the condition that: copyright law is observed, verbatim information is limited to a few quotes, and the author or speaker is referenced and cited appropriately. Please bear in mind that presenters have invested many hours in the development of materials for the conference and copyright laws apply.

Out of respect for the other participants, we ask that loud electronic devices be silenced, though they do not need to be switched off, so that they may be used to tweet, post on Facebook, or take notes in accordance with the above stated policy.

We encourage delegates to:

• Follow us on Twitter @MS_Australia
• Like us on Facebook @MSAustralia
• Like us on LinkedIn @ms-australia
• Hashtags include #MS  #multiplesclerosis  #RealMSResearch  #VoiceForMS  #50yearsofprogress 
• Blog, post, tweet, Instagram, Snapchat about what you are hearing and seeing
• Talk about products and services you see being showcased
• Share photographs
• Provide feedback to the MS Australia staff and the conference secretariat
• Keep criticism constructive

We request delegates to refrain from:

• Using audio and/or video recording devices during sessions.
• Capturing, transmitting, or redistributing syllabus materials or the bulk of the material presented in a session. Doing so infringes on the intellectual property rights of the speakers.
• Engaging in rudeness or personal attacks.

WHAT ARE THE CONFERENCE TERMS AND CONDITIONS?
Conference terms and conditions can be viewed here.