Welcome to ISS 2009

The International Seating Symposium is a multifaceted event covering many topics within the general themes of seating and wheeled mobility. The symposium is a valuable venue for discussion, debate, and hands-on opportunities targeting the latest trends and advancements in the industry. The 2007 ISS in Orlando hosted over 950 registrants and faculty with a primary focus on seating and mobility.

We have an exciting new theme for the 25th International Seating Symposium:

Creativity Still Abounds

Don’t miss the opportunity to be part of the exciting exhibit hall with products from US and International suppliers. The Hall is an integral part of the Symposium affording the exhibitors more than 8 hours of unopposed time to interact with an audience focused on seating, positioning, and mobility issues.

2009 is the 25th ISS; we are planning a “special event” to celebrate this very important Symposium. This event will be something that we are sure you will be interested in supporting. More to follow as plans solidify.

A large focus this year will be service delivery issues such as funding, service delivery models, advanced clinical applications, best practice, applied research, policy, and outcomes.

As always, all food functions, including lunches, reception, and breaks take place in the exhibit hall (Thursday and Friday) to provide time to meet with suppliers and colleagues.

Audience:

Assistive Technology Practitioners
Assistive Technology Suppliers
Educators
Manufacturers
Orthotists
People with Disabilities
Physicians
Rehabilitation Engineers and Technologists
Therapists
Vocational Rehabilitation Counselors

Presented by:

University of Pittsburgh
School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences
Department of Rehabilitation Science and Technology

Dates and times:

The ISS runs from 9:00 AM, Thursday, March 12, 2009 through 1:00 PM, Saturday, March 14, 2009. There are also Pre-Symposium Workshops on Tuesday, March 10, and Wednesday, March 11, 2009.

Exhibit Hall

Exhibit booth selection: floor plan comming soon

The Exhibit Hall is open Thursday and Friday, only.

Wednesday, March 11, 2009, is the day for Exhibit Hall set up

The Exhibit Hall is open to participants:

Thursday, March 12, 2009 (8:00 AM – 7:30 PM)
and
Friday, March 13, 2009 (8:00 AM – 4:00 PM).

Preliminary Schedule

Wednesday, March 11, 2009

1:00 PM to 5:00 PM Exhibit Hall Setup

Conference Exhibit Hall hours

Thursday, March 12, 2009

7:30 AM to 8:30 AM Continental Breakfast

11:00 AM to 1:00 PM Walk-About Lunch – Unopposed Exhibit Time

1:00 PM to 5:30 PM The Exhibit hall will remain open throughout the afternoon

3:00 PM to 3:30 PM Break

5:30 PM to 7:30 PM Welcome Reception

Friday, March 13, 2009

7:00 AM to 8:30 AM Continental Breakfast

10:00 AM to 10:30 AM Break

11:30 AM to 1:00 PM Walk-About Lunch – Unopposed Exhibit Time

1:00 PM to 5:30 PM The Exhibit hall will remain open throughout the afternoon

3:00 PM to 3:30 PM Break

4:00 PM The Exhibit hall closes

Fees:

2009 Exhibit fees are as follows:

• 10’ by 10’ Booth: $1,500
• 10’ x 20’ Booth: $3,200
• 20’ by 20’ Island: $6,500

The exhibit fee includes a basic pipe-and-drape space consisting of one 10-foot by 10-foot booth, an identification sign, and one set of conference materials. Complete information on services and supplies will be sent to exhibitors six weeks before the symposium directly from Freeman Decorating.

Preference of space assignment will be given to previous exhibitors. All others will be assigned in the order of receipt of application. Booths are sold on a first-come, first-serve basis with receipt of exhibit fee. We recommend that you reserve your booth online, and follow-up by mailing a copy of the application and payment.

Reservations will be held for 10 business days while awaiting payment, if payment is not received – the space will be released and the web site will indicate that the booth is available.

Please call if you have questions.

Payment

Payment of 50% of your exhibit space total cost is required to guarantee your exhibit booth location. Full payment is required by November 1, 2008. Booths reserved after December 1, require full payment within 5 business days.

Cancellation Policy

The exhibitor may cancel this contract provided that written notice of such cancellation is received by the University of Pittsburgh on, or, before January 15, 2009. A handling fee equal to 25% of the fee will be charged.

For cancellations after January 15, 2009, the University reserves the right to withhold the entire exhibit fee.

Additional Sponsorship

Vendors are invited to sponsor any of the daily continental breakfasts, lunches, guest speakers' expenses, or evening events. All sponsors will be acknowledged in a special section of the Symposium Syllabus, on the web site, as well as, signage, and announcements at the symposium.

There are many opportunities to help support this exceptional educational program with additional sponsorship on many levels. We have indicated some of these below, if you have other ideas, they will be welcome, as well. Contact Linda Szczepanski for more details.

We are looking for sponsors of the following:

• Pre-Symposium Breakfast, Breaks
• Continental Breakfast, Breaks, Lunch - Full or partial
• Cyber Café (Internet service in the Exhibit Hall and Common Lobby area
• Bottled Water
• Tote Bags

Exhibit Representatives

The Symposium will issue:

Each exhibitor is entitled to one paid conference registration per space (that is, two 10-foot by 10-foot booths allow two people).

The selected participant must pre-register for the conference. Once payment is made for the booth, the exhibitor will be issued a fee-waive coupon number to be used when registering on-line

NOTE: Only those registered for the conference will be permitted in to the educational sessions.

Location

The Buena Vista Palace
in the Walt Disney World Resort

1900 Buena Vista Drive,
Lake Buena Vista, FL 32830 USA

Telephone: 866-397-6516
Fax: (407) 827-6034

www.buenavistapalace.com

Accommodations

A block of rooms has been reserved at the Buena Vista Palace. When calling for reservation, please state that you are attending the 25th International Seating Symposium to receive the conference reduced rates.

We strongly encourage you to support the Symposium by staying at the conference hotel. A strong room block allows us to pay no exhibit hall fees, and, therefore, keep exhibitor costs down. Thank You.

Rules and Regulations

1. Subletting of exhibit space is not permitted; Two or more companies may not exhibit in a single space unless approved by the ISS.
   
   
2. No demonstrations in areas other than the exhibit hall (private meeting rooms, hospitality suites) may be scheduled during regular Symposium hours, social events, or unopposed exhibit hall times (Breakfast, Breaks, Lunch, or Welcome Reception). Exhibitors must notify the ISS when planning any functions in conjunction with the Symposium.
   
   
3. Responsibility clause
   Exhibitor assumed responsibility and agrees to indemnify and defend the University of Pittsburgh and the Buena Vista Palace, respective employees, and agents against any claims or expenses arising out of the use of the exhibition premises.
   
   The exhibitor understands that neither the University of Pittsburgh nor the Buena Vista Palace maintains insurance coverage on the exhibitor’s property, and it is the sole responsibility of the exhibitor to obtain such insurance.
   
   
4. Liability
   The University of Pittsburgh and the Buena Vista Palace will use reasonable efforts to safeguard exhibitors’ properties at the Buena Vista Palace by means of regular security services. However, the University of Pittsburgh and the Buena Vista Palace will not be liable for damages or loss to exhibitors properties through any cause, including but not limited to theft, fire, or accident.
   
   Exhibitors are responsible to insuring their own exhibits and display materials. A security guard will be provided by the University of Pittsburgh to patrol the exhibit area during times when the exhibit hall is closed.
   
   The University of Pittsburgh and Buena Vista Palace assume no liability for any personal injury (including death) or property damage that may occur to exhibitors and/or their agents, representatives, or employees.
   
   
5. Indemnification
   Exhibitors agree to indemnify and hold the University of Pittsburgh and Buena Vista Palace harmless from any and all claims, actions, damage, judgments, and costs, including reasonable attorneys fees, arising from any personal injury (including death) or property damage resulting from any act or omission of the exhibitor or the exhibitors failure to adhere to the exhibit facility rental contract or these Rules and Regulations.

Contact Information