Health and Safety FAQs

ACC is committed to the providing a safe environment for everyone at ACC.24. Below are frequently asked questions regarding health and safety measures that will be in place at ACC.24. All participants are expected to do their part to maintain a safe environment.

Important Notes:

  • Proof of full COVID-19 vaccination is required to attend ACC.24 in person. There can be no exceptions. Individuals who do not wish to be vaccinated are invited to participate in ACC.24 virtually.
  • Although a booster vaccination is not required to attend ACC.24, it is very strongly encouraged by the American College of Cardiology.1
  • All ACC.24 participants are required to wear a face mask at the convention center regardless of the current mask mandates implemented by the city of Washington, DC.
  • Overcrowding in rooms is not allowed. Seating in sessions is limited and available on a first-come, first-served basis. To ensure the safety and comfort of all attendees, ACC reserves the right to refuse further admission to any session that has reached capacity.
  • Eating and drinking is strictly prohibited in meeting rooms. Eating and drinking may take place in public spaces near restaurants and eating outlets.
  • The Convention Center has added new cleaning protocols, including treating all surfaces with antimicrobial biostatic surface protection, placing Nano-septic self-cleaning surface products on high-traffic touch points, and using electrostatic sprayers to sanitize function spaces overnight and during the day.
  • The Convention Center has installed a Synexis BioDefense system in the air handlers that supply all meeting rooms, which breaks down pathogens such as bacteria, mold, and viruses, including COVID, in circulating air.

Please do your part to help keep everyone safe! The CDC recommends the following practices:

  • Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds especially after you have been in a public place, or after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing. If soap and water are not readily available, use a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol. Cover all surfaces of your hands and rub them together until they feel dry. Hand sanitizing stations will be available throughout the convention center.
  • Cover coughs and sneezes. You can cough or sneeze into your mask. Put on a new, clean mask as soon as possible and wash your hands.
  • Monitor your health daily. Be alert for fever, cough, shortness of breath, or other symptoms of COVID-19.
  • Review additional guidance from the CDC on remaining safe.

Eating and drinking is not allowed in any ACC meeting room. Eating and drinking is only allowed in spaces open to the public near food outlets and restaurants. Masks should be worn at all times within the convention center, even in these spaces, except while eating and drinking.

Masks are required to be worn at all times within the convention center except when you are in public spaces designated for eating and drinking.

We encourage all attendees to maintain a distance of 6' when possible. Signage onsite will encourage this practice wherever queue lines are formed. Within meeting rooms, attendees will have the option to sit in typical theater style chairs or in a special section of seating that allows for extra spacing between seats.

Everyone issued an ACC badge will be vaccine verified. There can be no exceptions. Those who are not vaccinated will not be allowed to enter the building. Review the vaccine verification procedures.

Proof of a negative COVID test will not be considered in place of COVID-19 vaccine verification. In order to attend the ACC.24, and gain access to the convention center, you must show proof of vaccination.

An individual is considered fully vaccinated:

Two weeks after their second dose in a two-dose series, such as the Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna vaccines, or two weeks after a single-does vaccine, such as Johnson & Johnson's Janssen vaccine. The final dose of COVID-19 vaccine must be administered at least two weeks prior to arrival.

Although a booster vaccination is not required to attend ACC.24, it is very strongly encouraged by the American College of Cardiology.1

Safe Expo will be providing a convenient, onsite COVID-19 testing service (walk in or by appointment) for those participants who may want to or are required to be tested prior to traveling home. Schedule an appointment.

Testing Center Hours:

Saturday, April 2: 7 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Sunday, April 3: 7 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Monday, April 4: 7 a.m. – 4 p.m.

This service is not associated with access to the convention center and is only provided as a convenience for attendees who have already had their vaccines verified. Fees are payable directly by the participant to Safe Expo and this service is not connected with ACC, who cannot be held liable for the results. The ACC.24 senior team lead will be notified only in cases of positive test results.

For additional information, visit the Health & Safety page.

Please be sure to bring your mask with you. A limited supply of masks will be available at the Health and Safety checkpoints as you enter the building if you need one. In addition, you will be given a mask in your attendee bag.

Review the detailed instructions for submitting your COVID-19 vaccination verification using either CLEAR Health Pass or Safe Expo.

Please verify your vaccination as soon as possible and prior to travelling to Washington, DC. You will have the option to bring your vaccination card onsite for verification, however we strongly recommend that you verify your vaccination in advance of the meeting to avoid delays in entering the convention center. You will not be allowed to enter until you have received a vaccination verification.

If you have not performed your COVID-19 vaccine verification in advance, you will need to be prepared to show your vaccination card at the meeting to the Safe Expo staff at one of the Health and Safety Checkpoints. There may be delays associated with in-person verifications, so we strongly encourage all participants to confirm their verification in advance of travelling to Washington, DC.

For attendees who register on site at the Convention Center, Safe Expo will accept the original vaccination card OR a digital photo of the official vaccination card from the Department of Health, their city/state, or their medical provider. The card must include the individual's name, the brand of vaccine, and all dates administered.

In the event an ACC.24 participant falls ill with COVID-19, ACC will adhere to local, state and federal guidelines and will coordinate with Washington, DC Public Health authorities to ensure the proper steps are taken and protocols are followed for positive test results.

ACC is working in close collaboration with an on-site health and safety support team from Safe Expo. Safe Expo will offer onsite testing, for a fee to attendees, and if an individual tests positive Safe Expo will notify the individual and work to triage impacted individuals and provide appropriate care escalation and support.

ACC only receives confirmation that an attendee satisfied the vaccine requirements and never has access to an individual's private health data. Learn more about CLEAR and Safe Expo.

1. Nemet, I., et.al. Third BNT162b2 Vaccination Neutralization of SARS-CoV-2 Omicron Infection. Letter to Editor: N Engl J Med 2021 Dec 29. DOI: 10.1056/NEJMc2119358. PMID: 34965337.

  Submit Your Science FAQs
  Submit Your Science FAQs
  Can I submit an abstract or case to ACC.24 if it has been presented previously?
  Can I submit an abstract or case to ACC.24 if it has been presented previously?
For ACC.24, please refer to the following table to determine eligibility for submission of scientific abstracts and complex cases for presentation at ACC.24. These criteria protect the quality, originality, and integrity of the science and case discussions featured during ACC.24.

Eligible Not Eligible
  • Abstracts/cases that have not previously been presented either live or virtually at another professional society meeting or published prior to ACC.24 are eligible for submission.
  • If an abstract/case has been presented (either live or virtually) only at an ACC state chapter meeting or ACC international meeting (ACC Asia, ACC Latin America, ACC Middle East), it is eligible for submission to ACC.24.
  • If an abstract/case has been presented (either live or virtually) only to a state medical society or country society meeting, or local institutional meeting, it is eligible for submission to ACC.24.
  • If an abstract/case is also planned for submission or presentation at a meeting taking place after ACC.24, it is eligible to be submitted to the ACC Annual Scientific Session.
  • Abstracts/cases may be submitted to journals for publication if the journals agree to hold publication until the ACC.24 embargo is lifted on the designated day at 8 am ET.
  • Abstracts/cases are not eligible for consideration if they have been presented either live or virtually at a national meeting held in the United States or any non-ACC international meeting held prior to ACC.24.*
  • Abstracts/cases are not eligible for consideration if they have been presented live or virtually at programs held by non-profit organizations (e.g., ACC live U.S. courses).
  • Abstracts/cases are not eligible for consideration if the abstract has been published prior to ACC.24.
  • If abstracts/cases are submitted to journals for publication and the journals do not agree to hold publication until the embargo is lifted and the abstract/case is published prior to that date, the abstract/case must be withdrawn from ACC.24.
* Examples of this type of meeting include, but are not limited to, scientific sessions by the American Heart Association (AHA), Heart Rhythm Society (HRS), Heart Failure Society of America (HFSA), Transcatheter Cardiovascular Therapeutics (TCT), Society for Cardiovascular Angiography and Interventions (SCAI), and European Society of Cardiology (ESC).

Requests for exceptions to these eligibility requirements must be made in writing and will be reviewed by the ACC.24 Chair and ACC.24 Vice Chair. These situations are expected to be rare given the comprehensive guidance as detailed above.

If you have any questions, please contact Holly Santry on ACC staff at (hsantry@acc.org).
  If I submit my abstract to ACC.24, am I allowed to submit it to other conferences or journals?
  If I submit my abstract to ACC.24, am I allowed to submit it to other conferences or journals?
Yes, if the abstract/case will be presented at another meeting taking place after ACC.24. If your abstract/case is accepted by another U.S. national or international conference taking place prior to ACC.24, or if it is published prior to ACC.24, you will need to withdraw it from the ACC.24 program no later than Monday, Feb. 5, 2024.

If it is accepted for publication close to the ACC.24 dates, it is possible to coordinate the date of publication with the ACC Media Relations team and the respective journal so that the ACC.24 embargo policies are not violated.
  Can I submit a case presentation to the general abstract category?
  Can I submit a case presentation to the general abstract category?
This would not be advisable. Since the general abstract category is meant for scientific research only, case presentations are more likely to receive lower grades from abstract reviewers and are therefore less likely to be accepted.
  Who can submit to the general abstract category?
  Who can submit to the general abstract category?
Anyone is eligible to submit to this category, including non-ACC members and medical students.
  I am unsure of what category my abstract best fits into – which category should I pick?
  I am unsure of what category my abstract best fits into – which category should I pick?
As the submitting author, you are the most well equipped for knowing which category your abstract should be submitted to. However, if you would like a second opinion, we recommend reaching out to your colleagues, as they will have more expertise on the subject than ACC staff.
  Who can submit to the Complex Clinical Case category?
  Who can submit to the Complex Clinical Case category?
We are accepting complex clinical case submissions from the following three groups:

1) Fellow in Training (FIT): The first author and presenter must be a medical student or anyone in a fellowship or residency program.

2) Cardiovascular Team: The first author must be a non-physician CV team member, which could include nurses, advanced practice nurses, pharmacists, physician assistants, CV practice administrators, technologists, registered dietitian nutritionists or exercise specialists/physiologists. The presenter must be a CVT member.

3) MD/PhD: The first author is a medical doctor or researcher. The presenter is a medical doctor or researcher.

Priority will be given to FIT and Cardiovascular Team submissions during the selection process.
  If my abstract is accepted, when will I be notified?
  If my abstract is accepted, when will I be notified?
All abstract presenters will receive a notification of their acceptance status on Wednesday, Jan. 3, 2024.
  Who will be notified if the abstract is accepted?
  Who will be notified if the abstract is accepted?
The only person who will be notified of whether or not your abstract is accepted is the presenting author for that submission.
  If my abstract is accepted, will it be published?
  If my abstract is accepted, will it be published?
Yes, it will be published online in the ACC.24 JACC Abstract Supplement prior to the ACC Annual Scientific Session.
  What is the fee for abstract submission? Can this be waived?
  What is the fee for abstract submission? Can this be waived?
The fee is $55 for all general submission categories, including Abstracts, Complex Clinical Cases, and Interventional Challenging Cases. This fee cannot be waived.
  When is the abstract submission deadline?
  When is the abstract submission deadline?
The deadline for abstract and case submissions is Tuesday, Oct. 17, 2023 at 1 p.m. ET.
  Are there example abstract submissions I can see?
  Are there example abstract submissions I can see?
Yes. We provide examples for the following categories on our Annual Scientific Session site: Complex Clinical Cases (FIT, CVT and MD/PhD cases) and Interventional Challenging Cases. If you would like to see examples of abstract submissions, you can view them in the ACC.22 Abstract Supplements of the Journal of the American College of Cardiology: Supplement.
  How do I complete my disclosures?
  How do I complete my disclosures?
Visit https://disclosures.acc.org and log in using your ACC username and password. If you do not have an ACC username, you can create one for free on that page.
  Do all co-authors need to complete their disclosures?
  Do all co-authors need to complete their disclosures?
No. Only the presenting author and lead investigator are required to complete their disclosures. If a person is both the presenting author and lead investigator, then only they need to complete their disclosures.
  Does the Lead Investigator need to complete their disclosures for the submission to be complete?
  Does the Lead Investigator need to complete their disclosures for the submission to be complete?
No, they do not. The only person who must complete their disclosures for an abstract to be complete is the submitting author/presenting author. If the abstract is accepted, ACC will follow up with any lead investigators who have not disclosed.
  Who should I list as the Lead Investigator for my abstract?
  Who should I list as the Lead Investigator for my abstract?
Generally, the Lead Investigator is the senior author of an abstract, but sometimes the presenting author will list themselves as the Lead Investigator as well.
  Can I change who the presenting author is?
  Can I change who the presenting author is?
Yes, you can. To do this, log back into the submission site, click on the submission you want to make the change to, and go to the "Author" tab on the left-hand side of the screen. There, you will see the option to "Change who is Presenting" underneath the author names.
  Can I change the order authors are listed?
  Can I change the order authors are listed?
Yes, you can change the order of all co-authors, except for the first author. To do this, log back into the submission site, click on the submission you want to make the change to, and go to the "Author" tab on the left-hand side of the screen. There, you will see the option to "Change the Order these Author(s) are listed" underneath the author names.
  Why can't I change who the first author is?
  Why can't I change who the first author is?
The system automatically makes the submitting author the first author because they have completed their disclosures. If you would like to make someone other than the submitting author the first author, you will need to have them first complete their disclosures and then you will need to contact Annual Scientific Session staff to have them change the first author for you.
  Why is there an "N/A" displayed next to my name as the first author on the "Author" tab? Why is my institution information missing?
  Why is there an "N/A" displayed next to my name as the first author on the "Author" tab? Why is my institution information missing?
The first author will always have "n/a" displayed to the right of their name. This is normal and does not display anywhere else other than on the "Author" tab. Do NOT enter your name more than once to enter in your institution information since institution information is entered in on a separate tab.
  Is there a maximum character count for a submission?
  Is there a maximum character count for a submission?
Yes, the maximum character count per submission is 1,900 characters NOT including spaces. If you choose to add an image or table to your submission, it will count as 600 characters towards the total 1,900 characters that are allowed.
  Can I change the section headers in the body of the abstract on the submission site?
  Can I change the section headers in the body of the abstract on the submission site?
No, the headers in the body of the abstract cannot be edited. However, if you are submitting a case to one of our regular abstract categories and your sections do not align with the section headers, you can add your own header after them.
  If I am using commonly known abbreviations like TAVR or STEMI, do I need to include them in my 5 unique abbreviations?
  If I am using commonly known abbreviations like TAVR or STEMI, do I need to include them in my 5 unique abbreviations?
o No, you do not. Commonly known abbreviations do not need to be counted towards the 5 unique abbreviation limit and they do not need to be written out in their entirety upon first use.
  Can I include a table in my abstract?
  Can I include a table in my abstract?
Yes, you may include a table in your abstract by uploading an image of it as GIF or JPG file. The easiest way to do this is by taking a screenshot. You can do this on a Windows computer by using the snipping tool, and you can do this on an Apple computer by hitting Command-Shift-4.
  Do I need to get a signed patient consent form for my case submission?
  Do I need to get a signed patient consent form for my case submission?
No, you do not. We work under the assumption that you have already taken all necessary steps to protect your patient's identity and respect their privacy.
  How do I know my abstract is complete?
  How do I know my abstract is complete?
All tabs on the left-hand side of the submission site will have checkmarks next to them and the "Review My Work" tab will have a message saying, "Your submission is complete and will be sent to review." You will also have the option to send yourself a confirmation email that your submission is complete at the top of the "Review My Work" page. This option will only appear if your submission is complete.
  Am I able to save a copy of my abstract?
  Am I able to save a copy of my abstract?
Yes. You can save a copy of your abstract by logging into the submission site, clicking on the submission that you want to save, and then going to the "Review My Work" tab on the left-hand side of the screen. On the top of that page, you will have the option to print your abstract for your records.
  Can I make edits to my abstract after the submission deadline?
  Can I make edits to my abstract after the submission deadline?
No, you cannot. Per ACC policies and procedures, no edits can be made to abstract submissions after the submission deadline. This includes adding author names or correcting errors in data. Please carefully review your submission prior to the submission deadline to ensure all co-authors are listed and all information is correct.
  Invited Faculty FAQs
  Invited Faculty FAQs
  Where is ACC.24 being held?
  Where is ACC.24 being held?
At the Georgia World Congress Center located at 285 Andrew Young International Blvd NW, Atlanta, GA 30313; (404) 223-4000.
  I can't find my original ACC.24 faculty invitation. Is there an easy way for me to access it?
  I can't find my original ACC.24 faculty invitation. Is there an easy way for me to access it?
Yes. You can access your invitation(s) by visiting the ACC.24 Portal and clicking on the "Tasks" tab at the top of the page if it's not already open.
  Are any roles eligible to present remotely?
  Are any roles eligible to present remotely?
No, all ACC.24 faculty must present live, in-person at the meeting.
  I tried to register for ACC.24, but it tells me I must pay. I thought that as a faculty member I get free registration?
  I tried to register for ACC.24, but it tells me I must pay. I thought that as a faculty member I get free registration?
The registration fee is waived for confirmed ACC.24 faculty. Please allow 24 hours after accepting your faculty invitation before you access the registration site so that you can register with a complimentary status.
  Will staff register me, or do I need to register myself?
  Will staff register me, or do I need to register myself?
You must register yourself. Registration is NOT automatic when you accept your invitation(s). Invited and confirmed faculty can register for ACC.24 during the Exclusive Member Registration period from Wednesday, Oct. 11 – Tuesday, Oct. 24. Click here on or after those dates to register.
  As a faculty member, will I have access to ACC Anywhere?
  As a faculty member, will I have access to ACC Anywhere?
Confirmed faculty will receive a free one-year subscription to ACC Anywhere, a comprehensive digital library of ACC's in-person and virtual meetings including on demand access to 200+ sessions from ACC.24.
  As a faculty member, do I receive anything besides complimentary registration?
  As a faculty member, do I receive anything besides complimentary registration?
No, you do not. The ACC does not pay an honorarium, nor reimburse for hotel, travel, or per diem expenses for ACC.24 faculty members.
  I require a visa to come to ACC.24. How do I receive documentation to get it?
  I require a visa to come to ACC.24. How do I receive documentation to get it?
Once you register for the conference, you will be able to obtain official documentation to get a visa. Please visit the registration page for more information.
  How do I make a hotel reservation?
  How do I make a hotel reservation?
You can make a hotel reservation through the ACC.24 site. To see which hotels are available, visit our registration page.
  How do I complete my disclosures?
  How do I complete my disclosures?
New this year: All ACC.24 faculty must complete a disclosure statement prior to accepting a faculty invitation. To complete your disclosures, visit https://disclosures.acc.org and log in using your ACC username and password. If you do not have an ACC username you can create one for free on that page.
  What do I need to do to prepare for my session?
  What do I need to do to prepare for my session?
That depends on your specific role within a session. Chairs, presenters, and panelists all have different responsibilities within a session. Please refer to the summary page of your invitation(s) to see what type of role(s) you have and the associated responsibilities. We will also send out more detailed information about this in February.
  May I incorporate/submit a polling question (ARS) as part of my presentation?
  May I incorporate/submit a polling question (ARS) as part of my presentation?
Yes, any speaker or case presenter may include an ARS question as part of their slide deck. Simply include a slide with the question and your multiple-choice answers within your slide deck and be sure to indicate that you need ARS when uploading your slide deck. Please note that in order to have the ARS functionality ready for your presentation, be sure to upload your slide deck at least one week before your presentation. Additionally, some sessions contain pre-populated ARS questions, which are already assigned to specific faculty.
  My presentation title just says, "Case Presenter." Who comes up with the cases?
  My presentation title just says, "Case Presenter." Who comes up with the cases?
As a case presenter you should work with the session chairs to develop an appropriate case. If you need the chairs' email addresses, you can find them on the summary page of your invitation under the "Presentations" header.
  I want to contact the other faculty in the session. How do I get their contact information?
  I want to contact the other faculty in the session. How do I get their contact information?
After accepting your invitation, you will be taken to a summary page. That summary page lists all session details, including other presenters within your session and their email addresses. You can find this under the "Presentations" header on the summary page.
  Is the presentation template required?
  Is the presentation template required?
No. However, we strongly encourage you to use the template to create consistency between presentations and sessions at ACC.24.
  What time does the Speaker Service Center open and close each day of the meeting?
  What time does the Speaker Service Center open and close each day of the meeting?

Friday, April 5: Noon – 5 p.m.
Saturday, April 6: 7 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Sunday, April 7: 7 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Monday, April 8: 7:30 a.m. – 4 p.m.

  I arrive on Friday evening and my talk is at 8 a.m. on Saturday. Is this enough time to check my PPT in the Speaker Service Center?
  I arrive on Friday evening and my talk is at 8 a.m. on Saturday. Is this enough time to check my PPT in the Speaker Service Center?
Yes. If you arrive at the Speaker Service Center by 7 a.m. on Saturday and you explain to the staff that your presentation is at 8 a.m., they will make every effort to ensure that you are ready on time.
  I have never spoken at ACC before. Who selected me for this talk?
  I have never spoken at ACC before. Who selected me for this talk?
The sessions are organized by our ACC.24 Program Committee. Therefore, one of our program committee members selected you as faculty.
  Abstract and Case Presenter FAQs
  Abstract and Case Presenter FAQs
  What if I or a co-author cannot attend in person?
  What if I or a co-author cannot attend in person?
Please contact Ashley Truluck (atruluck@acc.org) to withdraw your presentation. Your abstract will still be printed in JACC even if you cannot attend.
  I am a moderated poster presenter. How will my poster be presented during the session?
  I am a moderated poster presenter. How will my poster be presented during the session?
Your poster will be projected on a video monitor in the moderated poster theater, and you will stand at a podium with a microphone to present it. You will use a tablet to zoom into specific areas of your poster. Two poster moderators will be present to facilitate the discussion, and AV technicians will be available for technical assistance. You do not need to print a copy of your poster.
  I am a flatboard poster presenter. Should I print a copy of my poster?
  I am a flatboard poster presenter. Should I print a copy of my poster?
Yes, you will need to bring a copy of your poster to the Poster Hall to present. ACC is partnering with a poster-printing service so can you pick up your poster in the Poster Hall. There is a fee for this service. A link to the poster printing site is here.
  Is there a special registration rate for presenters?
  Is there a special registration rate for presenters?
Yes, in-person presenters receive a 25% discount on the registration fee for ACC.24. Please contact Ashley Truluck (atruluck@acc.org) to receive the discount code.
  How can I withdraw my abstract or case from publication?
  How can I withdraw my abstract or case from publication?
Email Ashley Truluck (atruluck@acc.org) indicating the reason for withdrawal. The deadline for withdrawal was Monday, February 5, 2024. After this date, your abstract/case can be withdrawn from the program, but it will still be printed in JACC.
  Where can I find poster templates?
  Where can I find poster templates?
Poster templates can be found on the poster upload site under the Resources Box.
  When should moderated and flatboard poster presenters upload their presentation?
  When should moderated and flatboard poster presenters upload their presentation?
Presenters must upload their presentation to the ePoster system between Wednesday, Feb. 7, 2024, and Thursday, March 28, 2024. You can access the portal to upload your poster here.
  What format should my poster presentation be in?
  What format should my poster presentation be in?
For flatboard presenters, each presentation should be a one-page PDF. Moderated presenters should also upload a one-page poster as a PDF.
  Do moderated poster presenters need to have a five-page slide deck?
  Do moderated poster presenters need to have a five-page slide deck?
No. Due to system limitations, moderated presenters can only upload a one-page poster as a PDF instead of a multi-slide presentation. Your poster will be displayed on a screen in the poster theater during your presentation.
  Can I upload more than one page for my presentation?
  Can I upload more than one page for my presentation?
No, please only upload one page, as only the first page will be displayed.
  What are the requirements for flatboard poster preparation?
  What are the requirements for flatboard poster preparation?
Presenters must bring a poster to the poster hall to present. ACC is partnering with a poster printing company, allowing presenters to upload their posters to their website for printing (the link is available on the poster upload site). Poster board sizes are 6 ft. wide x 4 ft. tall. Please ensure your poster is smaller than this so it will fit properly onto your poster board. Posters should be in landscape orientation, readable from at least three feet away.
  What time is my presentation?
  What time is my presentation?
You can find your session date and time in your portal. You can also access it via the program planner by searching your name.
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