Bugher Foundation Collaborative Symposium

We are closely monitoring the situation regarding the fires in California with guidance from local authorities, the Los Angeles Convention Center, and Discover Los Angeles (the visitors information center). At this time, the conference remains scheduled to take place in Los Angeles on February 3-4, 2025. The safety of our conference participants is our top priority, and we will continue to follow updates from the City of Los Angeles. 
 
We appreciate your understanding and will keep everyone informed as the situation evolves.
 
Our hearts go out to all who have been impacted.

JW Marriott Los Angeles
900 W. Olympic Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90015

IMPORTANT NOTE: All meeting attendees are responsible for booking their own travel and hotel.

Hotel Information
JW Marriott Los Angeles
900 W. Olympic Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90015

Housing Link
Hotel rooms are limited so please book as soon as possible, if you haven’t already. If staying for ISC, book your full stay using the housing link. You must put a credit card on file to book the hotel, but one night’s stay will be covered by the Bugher Foundation at the time of check out.

Airports
Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) ~ 17 miles 
Hollywood Burbank Airport (BUR) ~ 15 miles 

Flights
Flights must be booked through AHA’s Travel Desk. AHA will only pay for economy flights booked through the AHA’s Travel Desk with a 21-day advance purchase.

Please email [email protected] or call (865) 288-1934 during normal business hours (Monday-Friday, 8AM-6PM ET) with the following information:

• Name of Meeting: Bugher Foundation Collaborative Symposium
  
• Full legal name (matching valid ID or passport)
  
• Gender
  
• Date of birth
  
• Contact information including email address and phone number
  
• Travel dates and time of day
  
• Departing and arriving city
  
• TSA Pre Check or Known Traveler # (if applicable)
  
• Travel preferences, if any (airline, aisle seat, etc.)
  
• Budget Code: 982100.xxxx.72898.72684
  
  By attending the Bugher Foundation Collaborative Symposium your flight and one night hotel stay will be generously covered by the Bugher Foundation.

The attire for the Bugher Foundation Collaborative Symposium is casual – jeans, slacks, khakis, polo shirts, other casual blouses and shirts are appropriate. Hotel meetings rooms are often cool, so make sure to bring a jacket or sweater. 

Updated COVID-19 Health Protocols
As of August 30, 2022

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has made updates to its COVID-19 protocols. In response, the AHA is making the following changes to our meeting and event protocols.

• Proof of vaccination will no longer be required for participation in our scientific conferences unless there is a state/local mandate.
• We will comply with any local/state mandate around mask adherence, testing or vaccine requirements.
• Our science event environments will be mask-friendly. Should a destination become high risk, a reminder of CDC recommendations will be communicated so that individuals can make informed decisions.
• Hand sanitizer will be available throughout event venues, particularly in high-traffic and food/beverage service areas.

Our commitment to the health and well-being of our attendees, exhibitors and staff remains the same. Should you have questions regarding these protocols, please contact us at [email protected] or call 1-888-242-2453.

As a science-based organization, the AHA continues to follow the guidance of the CDC and state and local health departments, and this guidance will continue to evolve. Protecting the health and safety of all participants remains our top priority.

More information:

• AHA's COVID-19 Resources
• COVID-19 Guidance from the CDC

Guests Policy

The Strategic Network Annual Meetings are closed meetings and guests including spouses or family members are NOT permitted.  Please email [email protected] with any questions related to this policy.

Photography and Video

Unauthorized recording of AHA scientific conferences are prohibited, whether by video, still or digital photography, audio or any other recording or reproduction mechanism. This includes recording of presentations and supporting audiovisual materials, poster presentations and supporting poster materials. The American Heart Association reserves the rights to all recordings or reproductions of presentations at AHA scientific conferences and meetings. Check the program for information about the availability of videotapes or audiotapes for purchase. Exceptions to this policy prohibition are:

• Audiotape recording for strictly personal and non-commercial use is permitted if not disruptive; and exhibitors may photograph their own booth for promotional purposes upon prior written consent of the AHA.

American Heart Association reserves the right to capture and broadcast digital media content in the form of professional photographs, live-streaming, audio, and video during the event. By registering for you hereby grant permission to American Heart Association and its representatives to photograph and/or record you during in-person and virtual events and to distribute, broadcast, use, or otherwise globally disseminate, in perpetuity, such media without any further approval or payment. If you do not wish for your image to be displayed by the AHA, please email [email protected].

AHA Code of Conduct & Harassment Policy

All participants, including, but not limited to, attendees, faculty, volunteers, exhibitors, AHA/ASA staff, service providers, vendor partners, and others are expected to abide by the AHA/ASA Code of Conduct and Harassment Policy and comply with all federal, state, and local laws and regulations, including those that prohibit harassment and discrimination against individuals based on their race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or national origin.

Unacceptable behavior of any kind will not be tolerated and includes:

• Disruption of presentations during sessions in any area of the event.
• Sharing of unsolicited promotional materials or solicitation of services.
• Copying, recording, or taking screen shots of presentations or posters.
• Reproducing Scientific Sessions material without express written consent from the rights holder.
• False certification of individuals as paid AHA/ASA event attendees, misuse of badge credentials, or any method of assisting unauthorized persons to gain access to any AHA/ASA event.
• Harassment towards another individual for any reason.

Attendees acknowledge that the unacceptable behavior set out above is prohibited. AHA/ASA reserves the right to take any action deemed necessary including immediate removal from the event, without warning or refund, in response to any incident of unacceptable behavior. AHA/ASA reserves the right to prohibit attendance by violators at any future meeting, in person or online.

All participants must comply with the instructions of AHA/ASA staff or person working on behalf of the AHA/ASA.

The AHA/ASA is committed to supporting educational and scientific dialogue, and to fostering a welcoming community in which all participants can contribute fully.
Thank you for assisting us in providing a safe and positive learning environment.

Reporting Harassment or Code of Conduct Violations

Incidents of harassment should be reported immediately to your institution(s)/employer(s). First, and most important - If you feel like you have experienced harassment and feel like you are not safe or are in a hostile environment - immediately contact onsite security, the local police department, or report the incident to the appropriate local authorities to help secure a safe location.

Reporting Activities:

1. Notify Your Institution/Employer: Immediately notify your institution(s)/employer(s) equal opportunity office, human resources offices, or Title IX Coordinator.
2. Contact the Local Authorities: AHA encourages individuals to report allegations to the appropriate authorities, which may include the local police department.

If for some reason you are unable to make a report to your institution(s)/employer(s), you may contact AHA/ASA. Phone the AHA/ASA ethics hotline at (866) 293-2427 to report your concerns. You may also log on to: www.ethicspoint.com (Please type American Heart Association when indicated in the prompts rather than AHA).

Please note the AHA/ASA does not initiate investigations of allegations. AHA/ASA cannot provide legal advice or support but if appropriate will follow up on all notifications of concerns related to the person(s) allegedly involved in the reported incident. All reports will be provided to the institution(s)/employer(s) to investigate.

Please consult with your institution(s)/employer(s) before contacting the AHA/ASA. The AHA/ASA is not responsible for the outcome or investigation process.

Find Help/Helpful Resources

Find Help and Support! There is a national network of community-based rape crisis centers and local organizations who support the needs of sexual assault survivors.

• National Sexual Violence Resource Center
• 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline
• Is there NIH funding Involved?
• Officials at other involved agencies, if relevant

Each meeting room will have a charging station. Space will be limited; it is recommended that laptops be charged nightly.

Submit Early Career Panelist & Transformational & Innovative Project Panelist Presentations slide decks to AHA by Friday, January 24 to [email protected]. 

If any of the presentations include embedded videos or include a link that would require internet access, please notify AHA as soon as possible. The designated AV tech will need this in advance to ensure there are no issues the day of the meeting.

Guidelines for Preparing Your Poster Presentation

Poster Titles: Friday, January 17 to [email protected]

• Networking and Poster Session:  Opportunity to network with other Researchers and visit with poster presenters.

• Poster Presentations: Poster guidelines can be found here (PDF).
• Poster presenters will be able to set up posters during the breaks prior to the reception or check-in with AHA staff on-site. AHA will support set-up to ensure posters are posted to the correctly assigned board.
• A printing service for this meeting is available. Orders must be placed by noon ET on Monday, January 27. Please below for information on the printing service or download the PDF

Click the following link to download the logo as pdf:  AHA Funded Research Logo.pdf

If you prefer a jpg, copy the image below: