ACLPS Members and Friends,
It is with a heavy heart that we announce that the 2020 ACLPS Annual Meeting (Lab Medicine 2020) in Iowa City, IA has been cancelled. This decision was supported by the ACLPS Executive Council, ACLPS Program and Finance Committee, and the 2020 Local Hosts. As our clinical laboratory community prepares for and responds to the COVID-19 outbreak, it has become increasingly apparent that the meeting cannot proceed in a manner consistent with what members have come to expect, a factor influenced by institutional travel restrictions, vendor sponsorship limitations, and most importantly our community’s focus and essential role in COVID-19 preparedness.
Over the next month, ACLPS will announce updates regarding plans for the schedule of future meetings. We will also work to coordinate several online webinars to connect our organization in the absence of an in-person meeting.
Information on meeting registration refunds and hotel room/block cancellation will be provided shortly to individual registrants. Please refer to your respective airline, travel agency, or institutional travel office for policies regarding refund of travel arrangements that have already been made. ACLPS will provide additional information as it becomes available, including the status of the YIA abstract awards program.
This decision was not an easy one. Particular gratitude is extended to our entire University of Iowa staff, organizing committee, and speakers, for the tremendous work that has gone into preparing for this meeting.
Stacey Klutts
ACLPS President