Meeting Information
Society for Birth Defects Research and Prevention Annual Meeting FAQs
Basic information and frequently asked questions about the Society for Birth Defects Research and Prevention Annual Meeting. Have a question? The Annual Meeting FAQs may have an answer for you. If you don’t find the answer you are looking for please email bdrp@birthdefectsresearch.org for more information.
Frequently Asked Questions
The Society for Birth Defects Research and Prevention will host its 59th Annual Meeting in San Deigo, California on June 22-26, 2019. The meeting will be held at the Sheraton San Diego Hotel & Marina, 1380 Harbor Island Drive, San Diego, CA 92101. There are two education courses scheduled to begin on Saturday, June 22. Please note that these courses require a separate registration. The Annual Meeting will open with the President's Welcome at 8:00 am on Sunday, June 23.
Academic, industrial, and governmental scientists from diverse fields such as cell and molecular biology, developmental biology and toxicology, reproduction and endocrinology, nutritional biochemistry, genetics, and epidemiology, as well as the clinical disciplines of prenatal medicine, pediatrics, obstetrics, neonatology, medical genetics, and teratogen risk counseling.
You are encouraged to participate in the meeting by presenting your research as a Poster or Platform talk. Poster and Platform talks are selected from submitted abstracts. The Society for Birth Defects Research and Prevention offers online abstract submission. (link to the abstract page-not the abstract site but the instructions). Please remember that the abstract submission deadline is Friday, February 15, 2019.
You can either register online or complete a registration form and fax or mail it to the Society for Birth Defects Research and Prevention headquarters office.
Membership is not a requirement to attend the Annual Meeting but we do encourage you to become a member so you can take advantage of the lower registration rates and enjoy the many benefits of being a Society for Birth Defects Research and Prevention member. Please note that it takes approximately eight weeks to process new member applications.
The Society for Birth Defects Research and Prevention meeting registration fee covers food and beverage functions, as well as the administrative costs for the meeting. The functions include:
- Morning Coffee
- Welcome Reception and Poster Session 1 on Sunday
- Light refreshments at Poster Session 2 on Monday
- 7 coffee and refreshment breaks
- Student/Postdoctoral Fellow Lunch Workshop (Trainees only)
- Student/Postdoctoral Fellow Career Event (Trainees only)
- Warkany Tea on Wednesday
- Closing Celebration on Wednesday
Separate registration is required for the Education Courses.
Yes. Online registrations will receive email confirmation shortly after being submitted. Faxed and mailed registrations will receive confirmation via email as soon as they are processed.
All registration materials will be available online before and during the meeting. Annual Meeting registrants will receive an email alerting them that the materials are available. Only those registered for the meeting will have access to the Annual Meeting materials.
All attendees are required to wear a badge for all Annual Meeting sessions and events. Badges can be picked up at the registration desk during the posted registration hours.
Yes, on-site registration is available. You can register online before you stop by the registration desk, print out a registration form and bring it with you, or complete a registration form available at the registration desk.
Adult Guest Registration is available for purchase and includes access to the Welcome Reception/Poster Session 1 (Sunday evening), Poster Session 2 (Monday evening), and Closing Celebration (Wednesday evening). Registered Adult Guests will receive a badge which must be worn to these three events. Guests are not permitted at other meeting sessions or events. If a meeting attendee wishes to bring a guest to just the Closing Celebration, guest ticket for this event are also available for purchase.
Dress is business casual for daytime events. Be sure to wear comfortable shoes and bring a sweater for chilly meeting rooms.
Refunds for cancellations must be submitted in writing and emailed the Society for Birth Defects Research and Prevention headquarters office at bdrp@birthdefectsresearch.org. There is a $25 fee for cancellation of the meeting registration before May 15, 2019. No refunds will be issued after May 15, 2019. Registrants who do not cancel prior to May 15, 2019 and do not attend will be responsible for the full registration fee.
Registrants unable to attend the conference may send an alternate. Email the Society for Birth Defects Research and Prevention headquarters office at bdrp@birthdefectsresearch.org. A service fee of $25 will be charged for each substitution. Substitutions must be received by May 15, 2019. Participants will be responsible for the change fee.
Attendees who need a certificate of attendance should send a formal request to bdrp@birthdefectsresearch.org no later than June 6, 2019. Please make sure to include any specific required text, such as abstract presentation information. Attendees will be able to pick up their certificate of attendance at the registration desk when they pick up their badge.
Persons with disabilities requiring conference access and/or reasonable accommodation should notify bdrp@birthdefectsresearch.org of this need during the registration process so that the accommodation may be met. Please make us aware of any needed accommodations as soon as possible so that appropriate plans can be made.
The Society for Birth Defects Research and Prevention recognizes individuals have special dietary requirements. Although the Society cannot guarantee that these needs will be met, the Society wishes to try to accommodate the needs of each attendee. It is important that we know what your special needs are as early as possible, please contact bdrp@birthdefectsresearch.org to let us know what your special dietary requirements are.
Reservations can be made using the unique web links provided on the Housing Information page. Please note that there are three different room types. Please use the attendee link unless you are a government employee or student. Those making government or student reservations will be required to show the appropriate identification upon check-in.
The Sheraton San Diego Hotel & Marina is located less than a mile from San Diego International Airport (SAN).
Taxis
Taxis provide you with the quickest and most efficient mode of transportation. The approximate cost to the Sheraton San Diego Hotel & Marina is $10 one way. Alternative ride services like Uber and Lyft are also available. All ground transportation services are located outside baggage claim.
San Diego Airport Shuttle
The Sheraton San Diego Hotel & Marina provides complimentary San Diego airport shuttle service to/from the San Diego International Airport. The courtesy airport shuttle arrives every 20-25 minutes from 4:45 am — 12:00 am, seven days a week.
Parking is available at the Sheraton San Diego Hotel & Marina, self-parking for $35/day and valet parking for $40/day. Please note prices are subject to change.