Policies

SMASH, its contractors, and attending news media may be photographing or videotaping scientific sessions and events at the conference. By attending SMASH, attendees acknowledge these activities and agree to allow their image to be used by SMASH in association publications, on the conference website, and in marketing and promotional materials. Attendees at SMASH waive all claims against the conference for any liability resulting from these uses.

Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, the focus at HMP Global has been the health and safety of our customers, staff, and communities. Vaccinations have reduced many of the COVID-19 guidelines/mandates regarding face masks, social distancing, and travel. In many states and cities, guidelines are still in place, including vaccination mandates, while in others, guidelines/mandates have been completely eliminated. 

As HMP Global moves forward with producing live meetings and conferences, we will continue to monitor the continually evolving guidance released by the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the event venue, as well as all federal, state, and local government mandates, to provide an environment that is as safe as possible for all event participants. 

Please make sure to visit and view each of the links below for guidelines specific to this meeting. 

HMP Global is committed to providing a professional, welcoming, safe, and respectful space during our in-person and online events, regardless of race, gender, sexual orientation, disability, ethnicity, religion, and/or other differences. Our attendees bear equal responsibility for creating a safe and welcoming environment for participants.
 
Our Code of Conduct outlines what behavior is expected of attendees, and what behaviors will not be tolerated. All attendees at any HMP Global in-person, online, or hybrid event or function are expected to abide by this Code.

All refunds must be requested by email to registration@hmpglobal.com. Full refunds are allowed through June 30 minus a $250 administration fee. There are no refunds after June 30. You may transfer your registration to another individual within your company or request to move your registration to 2024. To cancel or forward your registration to 2024, we need to receive an email and we will send you an acknowledgment. Please note the 2024 registration is for you and is not transferable. You will need to register by March 30, 2024.

Children under the age of 18 are not permitted at the SMASH conference.

It is our pleasure to arrange for special meals for attendees. We reserve the right to charge for all special requests. Requests must be made seven (7) or more days prior to the event to be accommodated. For more information, email registration@hmpglobal.com.

SMASH is committed to making its activities accessible to all individuals. If you have specials needs as addressed by the American with Disabilities Act (ADA), and need accommodation, please email Alison Dufner at adufner@hmpglobal.com. 

Sessions are subject to change. 

Seating is limited for all session rooms and is available on a first-come, first-served basis. 

No individual or entity may electronically record or broadcast any portion of SMASH without prior written consent of HMP Global. Unauthorized recording (audio, video, still photography, etc.) of presentations during sessions without the express written consent of HMP Global is strictly prohibited. Press representatives must receive a Press Pass and photo/recording permission from HMP Global. HMP Global reserves the rights to any approved audio and video production of presentations at all HMP Global events.

Definitions:

HMP Global is the owner of SMASH. HMP Global and SMASH are known collectively in this Statement as SMASH.

I agree and acknowledge that I am undertaking participation in SMASH events and activities as my own free and intentional act, and I am fully aware that possible physical injury might occur to me as a result of my participation in these events. I give this acknowledgement freely and knowingly and that I am, as a result, able to participate in SMASH, and I do hereby assume responsibility for my own well-being and safety.

SMASH plans to take photographs and video material at SMASH events and reproduce them in SMASH educational, news, or promotional material, whether in print, electronic, or other media, including websites. By participating in SMASH events, I grant SMASH the right to use my name, photograph, and biography for such purposes. All postings become the property of SMASH. Postings may be displayed, distributed, or used by SMASH for any purpose.

Furthermore, I acknowledge SMASH’s right to crop, splice, treat, and edit any photographs taken of me at SMASH’s sole discretion. I waive my right to inspect or approve the finished product, now and in the future, whether that use is known or unknown to me.

I hereby agree to release, defend, and hold harmless SMASH and its agents or employees, including any firm publishing and/or distributing the finished product in whole or in part, from and against any claims, damages, or liability arising from or related to the use of the photographs, including but not limited to any misuse, distortion, blurring, alteration, optical illusion, or in the taking, processing, reduction, or production of the finished product, its publication, or distribution.

Companies that submit artwork or upload or link any material (including but not limited to images, text, documents, and/or video files) to the website are solely responsible for the content of such material and for gaining required permissions under copyright, trademark, trade secret, or other applicable law for the use of such material. (Caution: Many websites purchase artwork from stock photo suppliers for the expressed website use or from hired photographers who have only supplied one-time rights.) By submitting any such material, the submitting company represents and agrees that (i) it has obtained the necessary permissions referenced above, (ii) any such material is not likely to defame and does not invade the privacy of any person, and (iii) it will defend, indemnify, and hold harmless SMASH, its affiliates, and their respective directors, employees, and agents (including, without limitation, its publishing partner or any agent acting on its behalf) from and against any and all claims, damages, obligations, losses, liabilities, costs, or debt, and expenses (including reasonable attorneys’ fees) resulting from the submitting company’s breach of the obligations set forth in this paragraph.

All SMASH attendees and sponsors grant an irrevocable, world-wide, royalty-free right and license to HMP Global and SMASH and their industry partners, sponsors and supporters to utilize, adapt, modify, reproduce, distribute, publicly perform and display any photographs, video and/or audio (collectively "Media") taken of me while attending any event or function at the SMASH for use in promotional, educational, informational, advertising or commercial materials and communications in any form now known or later developed, including but not limited to publications, websites, articles, brochures, books, magazines, newsletters, exhibits, videos, films, social media, advertisements, and training programs (collectively "Materials").  Furthermore, I hereby authorize and consent to the use of my name, image, likeness and voice (collectively "Likeness") in the Media for all Materials or any other purposes deemed appropriate by HMP Global.

SMASH attendees and sponsors waive any right to be notified or to inspect or approve the Media or any Materials that are created using my Likeness, now or in the future, whether that use is known or unknown to me.  I hereby waive any right to royalties or other compensation arising from or related to the use of the Media or Materials.  I hereby release and hereby agree to indemnify and hold harmless HMP Global, SMASH and their industry partners, sponsors and supporters for any and all claims that I or any third party may have now or in the future for invasion of privacy, right of publicity, copyright infringement, defamation, or any other cause of action arising out of the use, utilization, adaptation, modification, reproduction, distribution, publicly performance or display of my Likeness used in the Media and Materials.  I understand and agree that HMP Global and SMASH are and shall be the exclusive owner of all right title and interest, including any copyright, in the Media and Materials.

By registering for and attending SMASH events, I hereby agree that I accept the terms stated above and indemnify and hold harmless SMASH, its affiliates, and their respective directors, employees, and agents (including, without limitation, any agent acting on its behalf) from and against any and all claims, damages, obligations, losses, liabilities, costs or debt, and expenses (including reasonable attorneys’ fees) resulting from attendance at SMASH events.