Quick Links
Where and when is the Annual Meeting this year?
When will I find out if my abstract was accepted?
Hotel Information
Can I register and obtain housing for the Annual Meeting online?
What are the registration and exhibit hall hours for the general meeting?
Where is the Speaker Ready Room?
Ground Transportation
Is there parking available at the New Orleans Convention Center?
Are there any tours this year?
How many Continuing Medical Education (CME) credit hours are being offered?
Are Continuing Education Units (CEUs) being offered?
When is the early registration cut-off-date?
When is the last day to register?
Will I receive my badge in the mail if I registered early?
Can I submit an abstract or symposium proposal for this year?
What is the cancellation policy?
Exhibiting Opportunities - How can my organization exhibit at a NASS Annual Meeting?
Will there be a Hands-on Course offered?
What technique workshops will be offered?
What are the other Instructional Courses?

When will I find out if my abstract was accepted?
Notifications will be sent via email to submitting authors on May 1, 2013. Please contact Erica Kruse with any questions.

Hotel Information

Meeting registration MUST be completed in order to secure housing for the Annual Meeting. Participants will not be permitted hotel reservations until their meeting registration is complete. NASS will monitor the housing reservations list to make sure that all individuals with reservations also are officially registered for the Annual Meeting. NASS reserves the right to cancel reservations that do not meet these criteria. 

Can I register and obtain housing for the Annual Meeting online?
Yes, you can register and obtain housing online via the NASS Annual Meeting website:  www.NASSAnnualMeeting.org.

Monday, April 8, 2013: Members only registration and hotel reservations begins.
Monday, April 22, 2013: Registration and hotel reservations opens for all.

What are the registration and exhibit hall hours for the general meeting?

Where is the Speaker Ready Room?
There will be no Speaker Ready Room at the 28th Annual Meeting. Symposia and Special Presentations Speakers may upload presentations at the Speaker Information Center (SIC) in Lobby H of the convention center.

Speaker Information Center Hours
Tuesday, October 8   7:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Wednesday, October 9   6:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.
Thursday-Friday, October 10-11  6:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Saturday, October 12   7:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

Instructional Course Faculty: Detailed instructions will be provided by your course staff liaison.

Symposia Faculty and Special Presentations Speakers (OPAs, Research Awards):
Symposia/Focused Discussion faculty and Special Presentation speakers may upload their presentations to the Submission Management System (http://sms.spine.org) between August 5 and September 9. After September 9, speakers should bring their presentations to the Speaker Information Center in the Level 100 Lobby of Hall H at least 30 minutes prior to the start of the session. Speakers will not be permitted to use their own laptops for their presentations.

Podium, Focused Paper and ePosters Presentations:
Presentations must be uploaded to the Submission Management System (http://sms.spine.org) between August 5 and September 9. Required changes from the Content Review process will be forwarded to Presenting Authors on September 17, and any required changes must be made and uploaded by October 24.

Changes to Podium and ePoster Presentations will NOT be permitted after September 9th, unless required by the content review process. Symposia and instructional course presentations may be uploaded or amended at any time.

Ground Transportation

Shuttle Information
Airport Shuttle, Inc. is the official ground transportation for Armstrong International Airport, with service to and from New Orleans' hotels and other designated locations. Fare is $20 per person one way and a discounted $38 per person round trip is now available.

Taxi contact information:
United Cab (CVB member) - 504.522.9771
Nawlins Cab (CVB member) - 504.522.9059 (also an app available)
Veterans Cab 504.367.6767
Coleman 504.367.6767
White Fleet 504.822.3800

Transportation options once you are in downtown New Orleans:

1. Taxi: There are hundreds of taxis available on New Orleans’ streets and at major hotels. Taxi rates are $3.50 plus $2 per mile (.25 per one-eighth mile) thereafter. There is also an additional charge of $1.00 per passenger after the first passenger.

2. St. Charles Ave. Streetcar: Ride through the Crescent City on a national historic landmark that only costs
$1.25. Streetcars have been rumbling along St. Charles Avenue for over 165 years. This route runs over 13 miles downtown from Canal Street along St. Charles Avenue, past Greek Revival mansions and raised cottages, Tulane University and Audubon Park, and beyond the shops at the Riverbend, where it takes a right-hand turn onto Carrollton Avenue.

3. Riverfront Streetcar: For $1.25, you can ride the traditional green or newer red streetcars. This two-mile route includes stops at all the right places: the Convention Center at Julia Street, Riverwalk, the Aquarium of the Americas, the French Market and the Old Mint on Esplanade.

4. Canal/Carrollton Streetcar: The “newest” re-established streetcar line in New Orleans runs the length of Canal Street for only $1.25. This is the original “Cemeteries” line, which runs from the Mississippi River to the cemeteries located at the mid-city end of Canal Street. Along the line there is a Carrollton Spur, which will take you to beautiful City Park, home of the New Orleans Museum of Art and the New Orleans Botanical Gardens.

5. Pedicabs: Pedicabs allow New Orleans visitors and residents a unique way of transporting through the city while also being able to appreciate the historic landmarks, city activity, and wonderful views. These more modern forms of rickshaws carry passengers throughout the downtown area of New Orleans by using human energy allowing for a cleaner, greener form of transport. In addition, these new pedicab companies will generate more than 100 full and part time jobs.

Is there parking available at the New Orleans Convention Center?
Yes-MCCNO Parking F is the closest parking lot to the NASS Annual Meeting.  For detailed directions go to:  http://www.mccno.com/about-us/maps-directions and click on the parking map.

Are there any tours this year?
Indulge your senses, savor New Orleans rich cultural experience and celebrate everything that still makes the city America’s most unique, authentic and enthralling destination.  Home to some of the best dining, shopping, art and nightlife in the country along with a wealth of activities and attractions, there are more than enough ways to keep yourself entertained in New Orleans for weeks. For information on tours, local attractions, dining and activities in and around New Orleans, visit http://www.neworleanscvb.com/things-to-do/tours/directory/ or call (504) 566-5011 for information on all that New Orleans has to offer while you’re visiting. 

How many Continuing Medical Education (CME) credit hours are being offered?
The North American Spine Society is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education. The North American Spine Society designates this live activity for a maximum of 23.75 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™ (exact number subject to change). Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity. The American Medical Association has determined that physicians not licensed in the US who participate in these CME activities are eligible for AMA PRA Category 1 CME Credits™.

You can earn additional CME credits by attending the instructional courses and technique workshops.

To claim CME credit and to print certificates after the meeting, please visit www.spine.org/myaccount. Usernames and passwords can be requested from the log-in page.

Are Continuing Education Units (CEUs) being offered?
NASS is proud to offer other types of continuing education units (CEUs) to accommodate nonphysician attendees' certification requirements.

The following categories indicate the status of CEU accreditation for nonphysician attendees:

Professional Coders—Coding Update 2013: Essentials and Controversies of Spine Care Coding has prior approval of the American Academy of Professional Coders for 11 Continuing Education Units. Granting of this approval in no way constitutes endorsement by the Academy of the program, content or the program sponsor. Exact number of CEUs subject to change based on final agenda..

Nurses—The North American Spine Society (NASS) is proud to announce its collaboration with SpineSearch and their education team for the 28th Annual Meeting. NASS and SpineSearch are working together with the goal of offering credit to RNs for the Allied Health sessions.  For updated session agendas and additional CE credit information for nurses, visit www.nassannualmeeting.org.

Physician Assistants—The American Academy of Physician Assistants (AAPA) accepts Category 1 credit from AOACCME, prescribed credit from the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP) and AMA PRA Category 1 CME Credits™ for the Physician's Recognition Award from organizations, such as NASS, accredited by the ACCME.

Chiropractors—Application is pending for Chiropractic continuing education credentialing through the National University of Health Sciences (NUHS). Please look for a list of approved states on the NASS website (www.nassannualmeeting.org) and in the Final Program distributed on-site.

Nurse Practitioners—Application is pending for continuing education credentialing through the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners (AANP). Please look for information on the NASS website (www.nassannualmeeting.org) and in the Final Program distributed on-site.

To claim CME credit and to print certificates after the meeting, please visit www.spine.org/myaccount. Usernames and passwords can be requested from the log-in page.

Please send any questions about CME/CE credit to education@spine.org.

When is the early registration cut-off date?
The cut-off date is August 1.  Registrations will increase $200 after August 1.

When is the last day to register?
Registration will remain open throughout the meeting.  Please note that if you register after September 9, your registration fee will increase by $100.

Will I receive my badge in the mail if I registered early?
All attendees are required to pick up their badges on-site with photo identification.  A final confirmation letter with barcode will be emailed late September. Please bring the confirmation letter with you to print your badge at "Already Registered" kiosk.  If registering as a student or resident in training, identification is also required to pick up your badge.

Can I submit an abstract or symposium proposal for this year?
The committee has already selected the abstracts and session proposals. You may submit your abstract, symposium, special interest group discussion or instructional course ideas for the 2014 Annual Meeting between October 1, 2013 and February 5, 2014. Look for information at the NASS Resource Center or on our submission website – http://sms.spine.org.

What is the cancellation policy?
Refunds will be allowed less an administrative fee, if cancellation is made in writing by September 10, 2013; no refunds will be made after that date, regardless of cause.

Administrative Fees:  Conference Registration - $125 fee; technique workshops - $75 fee; Instructional courses - $25 fee; and Guest Registration - $50 fee.

Exhibiting Opportunities – How can my organization exhibit at a NASS Annual Meeting?
Please contact Rick Bacon, Director of Exhibits and Corporate Relations, for information on exhibiting at the NASS Annual Meeting.  He can be reached at (630) 230-3662 or rbacon@spine.org. The Exhibitor Prospectus is available online at the NASS Annual Meeting website (www.nassannualmeeting.org).

Will a Hands-on Course offered?
A hands-on, cadaver-based ticketed course will be offered at the 28th Annual Meeting. The course will be held at the convention center. Please check your registration confirmation letter for specific course/room locations. This hands-on course has been approved for AMA PRA Category 1 CME Credits^TM. Specific hours

are listed below. All CME/CE hours are subject to change bases on final course agendas.

Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery
Tuesday, October 8
7:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.
6.25 AMA PRA Category 1 CME Credits^TM 

What technique workshops will be offered?
Two sawbones-based ticketed technique workshops will be offered at the 28th Annual Meeting. These courses will be held at the convention center. Please check your registration confirmation letter for specific course/room locations. The technique workshops have been approved for AMA PRA Category 1 CME Credits^TM. Specific hours available for each course are listed below each activity. All CME/CE hours are

subject to change bases on final course agendas.

Options in Posterior Cervical Fixation from Occiput to Cervical-Thoracic Junction
Wednesday, October 9
8:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
3.75 AMA PRA Category 1 CME Credits^TM

Evolving Anterior Technologies in the Treatment of Cervical Degenerative Disease
Wednesday, October 9
8:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
3.75 AMA PRA Category 1 CME Credits^TM


What are the other Instructional Courses?
All instructional courses are ticketed sessions; registration fees are not included with your general meeting registration fee. All instructional courses have been approved for AMA PRA Category 1 CME Credits^TM.

Specific hours available for each course are listed below each activity. All CME/CE hours are subject to change bases on final course agendas.

• Part I: 7:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. 
  Asking Answerable Questions, Searching the Literature and Critically Appraising the Literature and Rating the Evidence
  
  
• Part II: 6:45 – 9:30 p.m.
  Critically Appraising the Literature, Rating the Evidence and Small Group Assignments
  
  7.75 AMA PRA Category 1 CME Credits^TM 

    
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