#WMS2024
#WMS2024
Each year we aim to evolve the WMS Congress based on delegate feedback to make sure we're meeting your needs and justifying your time. This year, we have a number of highlights that we're proud to share.
Thursday 10th October, 13:45-14:45, Zoom and Panorama rooms, first floor
With a focus on early careers and professional development, this session will provide information and insights into current and future opportunities within the field of NMD including academia, corporate/industry, and across a range of healthcare settings.
Encouraging new connections and networking with colleagues and experts, this is an opportunity to gain guidance on engagement with key industry and professional sectors and the range of career opportunities and pathways available. A light lunch will be served.
We're proud to once again be offering a Caregiver Grant to Congress in-person attendees who need help covering the cost of care for themselves or for people they care for. This year, we have doubled the value of the grant from £500 in 2023 to £1,000 in 2024. Find all details, including how to apply, on the Caregiver Grants page of the website.
Wednesday 9th October, 16:15-17:00, Congress Hall
Back by popular demand, the Congress debate returns for its third year. The subject: Can the costs of gene therapies in neuromuscular disorders be justified? The session will be moderated by Teresinha Evangelista and Francesco Muntoni.
In recent years we have shifted our focus to make sure early career researchers and clinicians are supported and have access to Congress activities and information. We have developed a number of sessions and initiatives with those in the early stages of their careers in mind. You can find more information about our early career activities on the relevant page of the Congress website.
Tuesday 8th October, 14:30-16:00, Second Floor Foyers
A new event for 2024, our exhibitors invite you to join them for light refreshments in the Congress exhibition space. It will be your first opportunity to see what our exhibitors are offering this year and make appointments to stop by and find out more.
As we make efforts to improve the environmental impact of the Congress as a whole, we have asked our exhibitors to share their environmental sustainability credentials, for example, by using re-useable exhibition stands, using local suppliers and choosing not to distribute single-use delegate gifts. We are asking all exhibitors to complete a short survey to tell us what they are doing and we will report on it after the Congress. Our aim is to use 2024 as our benchmark year and make progress from here.
We are pleased to provide a dedicated family-friendly room (Club Room A) in the Congress Centre for attendees who are bringing young children. This room will have child-friendly snacks and activities including an arts and crafts table, age-appropriate games, and an assortment of small books and toys. Children and families are welcome to use and share items within the room as needed. We do ask that all entertainment items please remain in the space for other children and families to use throughout the Congress.
The Congress virtual platform will be live-streamed into the space so WMS attendees with families can experience the Congress content while also spending needed time with family members.
Please note that children are not permitted within the rest of the congress spaces or events and should not be left unattended in the room.
To support early career researchers and clinicians as you raise your professional profile, we will once again be providing opportunities to have professional profile photos taken. You'll be able to use these photos for presentations, programmes and more. All profile photo sessions will take place in Club Room H at the following times.
This will be held on Friday 11th October 2024, 07:30-08:30 in South Hall 2
Those who have attended the Pre-Congress Teaching Course will have found this part of the course particularly interesting. Following its success last year, we are once again hosting a session as part of the full Congress programme with the aim of using our combined, global knowledge in our field to solve difficult, unusual or as yet unsolved cases. Attendees are invited to send in case presentations for discussion by Sunday 15th September. Please check your emails for the link to the submission portal.
Building on last year's Legacy Token initiative, we are once again donating £10,000 to local good causes identified by our Local Organising Committee. You'll have the chance to vote for the local charity you believe to be most deserving. To find out more about how the initiative works and which charities have been selected as beneficiaries, please visit the Legacy Tokens page of the Congress website.
This will be held on Wednesday 9th October 2023, 13:15-14:30, Zoom and Panorama rooms, first floor.
The Meet the Expert session will provide an opportunity for attendees to gain insights and knowledge from experts and leaders in the field of NMD in a more intimate setting than other Congress sessions. Attendees will be encouraged to share their knowledge and experiences, and to debate, discuss and question key topics around the table. A light lunch will be served and pre-registration is essential.
With members and non-members attending WMS 2024 from all over the world, we want to make sure people of all faiths have a quiet space to observe their rituals and prayers. The Multi-Faith Room is meeting room 222 on the second floor of the Congress Venue.
WMS members may already be aware of our bi-monthly virtual networking events. For WMS 2024, we’re once again bringing the virtual into the real world.
Throughout the Congress, you will be able to get barista-made drinks. At each of the morning coffee breaks, you will be invited to meet representatives from some of the WMS Committees and find out more about what's involved, please see the Programme for more information.
Congresses are full of opportunities to learn and experience new things, but they are also rich in stimulation, and with the constant outward-facing and switched-on nature they can also be overwhelming, exhausting and triggering, both mentally and physically.
We will have a dedicated quiet space which we are calling our Quiet Room in meeting room 221 in the Congress Centre (it will be signposted in the venue) where you can take some quiet time to reground before returning to the Congress activities. No devices, talking, eating or food will be allowed so that the space is truly welcoming and calming for all.
Whether you're joining the Congress virtually or attending in person, we want to make sure you understand what's being said. We have once again employed a live translation service, called Wordly. You'll be able to translate from the English of the presentations to your first language. We'll be working in the background to make sure the translation is as accurate as possible, but please share any feedback on how well it works for you.
Prague has an excellent public transport system and the Congress Centre is well connected to all parts of the city. This year, we are offering every delegate a complimentary travel card for the duration of the Congress. You will receive your Metro ticket when you collect your name badge from the registration desk when you first arrive at the Congress. This means you will need to make your own way to the Congress venue from the airport or central train station. Only one Metro ticket can be provided per delegate. It is your responsibility to look after your complimentary ticket. Unfortunately, if you lose it or it gets damaged, you will have to replace it yourself. Replacement tickets are available to buy within Prague's Metro stations. While you have your Metro ticket, you will be able to use it for all journeys within Prague, including for your own social activities.
If you have any questions about this or any aspect of the Congress, we encourage you to look at the Information and Frequently Asked Questions pages of the Congress website.
