What if You Can Not Attend?
Even if you do not make it to Mexico City, there are ways you can take part in the conference.
WEBCASTS – Most of the sessions of the conference (including Plenaries, Special Sessions, Abstract and Non-Abstract Sessions) are shown on the web, often in real-time. This means you can see video versions of the sessions on your computer at the same time they are happening, or anytime after. The web site for this is the Kaiser Network.
VIRTUAL VILLAGE – At AIDS2006, a website called Virtual Village showed video broadcasts of most sessions in the Global Village including some real time sessions where people in other countries could even email questions in for the speakers. It is still not known if the Mexico conference will have a Virtual Village but we will update this site when known.
CONFERENCE WEBSITE – www.aids2008.org will have the whole programme available on-line a month before the conference and the content for all abstracts once the conference begins. The website will also have daily reports from the conference, highlights, the summary “rapporteur” sessions and audio podcasts of some sessions available soon after the conference closes.
CONFERENCE HIGHLIGHTS – Treatment related highlights of the conference are usually available through a website called Clinical Care Options.
SATELLITES AND AFFILIATED EVENTS – Many organizations holding satellites and affiliated events will broadcast their sessions on the web or provide summaries after the conference through their organization’s website and publications.
HUBS - For more on the hubs, click here.
LISTSERVS – Many HIV/AIDS listservs will host discussions of relevant issues during and after the conference. For more information on available listservs, click here.
COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS AND COALITIONS – Many organizations and coalitions will provide commentary, highlights and summaries of the conference on their websites or through local community forums.
COLLEAGUES AND FRIENDS WHO ATTEND THE CONFERENCE – If you know people who are attending AIDS2008 you can attend the conference through their eyes.
ask if they will bring your organization’s brochures with them to distribute
- ask if they will bring a few of your business cards to give to key people
- ask them to look for specific information you may be interested in
- ask them to share their conference materials with you when they return
- ask them to give a talk on conference highlights, or a specific issue, to your organization or community when they get home