Annual Meeting Industry Supported Sessions

Innovation Theater sessions take place October 26–28. The sessions are 45-minutes and may be upgraded to include live streaming to your exhibit booth (must have at least 20x20 exhibit space).

• Innovation Theater presentation listings on signage in the exhibit hall, on the ACR website, in the Convergence Session Tracker, and meeting app
• Complimentary light refreshments and snacks at the Innovation Theater provided by the ACR: 10:30 AM, 1:30 PM, 2:30 PM, and 3:30 PM sessions will have light refreshments; 11:30 AM and 12:30 PM sessions will include a boxed lunch
• Session sponsorship includes two complimentary lead retrieval units for use during the session
• Complimentary audio/visual equipment: two microphones, LCD projector, screen, and confidence monitor

March 24
Application open

April 23
Final deadline for initial application/Full payment due within two months

April 24–30
LOA’s will be generated and sent from applications submitted by April 23

April 30–Onward
Any open slots assigned on a first-come, first-served basis

June 30
Final payment due

July 18
Content due (title, description, speaker information)

September 5
Promotional material approval deadline

August 22–29
*Streaming upgrades only*
Complimentary mailing list order form due

October 10
Final PowerPoint presentations due

Who is eligible to secure a time slot in the Innovation Theater?
Only 2025 ACR exhibitors are eligible to secure a time slot. If an exhibitor cancels or defaults on their exhibit space, the Innovation Theater time slot will be revoked.

Can Innovation Theater sessions offer CME?
Presentations in the Innovation Theater cannot offer CME. The ACR reserves the right to review all content of proposed presentations. If your proposed presentation requires modification, you will be notified by ACR staff.

How many time slots can an exhibitor request?
Exhibitors may request one time slot. Requests for additional time slots will be approved at the discretion of ACR and will only be considered after all eligible exhibitors have been assigned one slot.

How are time slots assigned?
Time slots are assigned based on the following criteria:

• Rheumatology Research Foundation Corporate Roundtable membership benefits
• Number of priority points
• Date/time of application submission slots will be assigned between April 26–30, 2025, with an LOA sent for signature

What happens if I need to cancel my Innovation Theater participation?
Cancellations must be submitted in writing to Sophia Saucer at ssaucer@rheumatology.org. If cancellation occurs after June 30, 2025, 100% of the payment is due.

What are the speaker requirements for the Innovation Theater?
Speakers must not be members of ACR's Board, Foundation, or other specified committees. It is recommended that speakers register through attendee registration to ensure accurate promotional representation. Please review the 2025 List of Ineligible Speakers.

When can companies access the Innovation Theater for setup and breakdown?
Companies can access the theater 20 minutes before their presentation and for 15 minutes after the presentation. A/V run-throughs are not guaranteed, so it is recommended to use this time for a quick PowerPoint review (not a full run through or practice – attendees begin to enter the theater 15 minutes prior to presentations).

What if I want to add extra activities or change the stage setup?
Any additional activities or changes to the stage setup must be approved by ACR management in advance. Due to union restrictions at McCormick Place Convention Center, the stage setup cannot be altered.

Can I live stream my session?
ACR does not permit live streaming of Innovation Theater sessions unless you have purchased the $15,000 Innovation Theater Upgrade, which includes the option to stream your session into your company's booth via Vimeo. To be eligible for live streaming, your company must have at least a 20 x 20 exhibit space.

Can I purchase the upgrade following the application process?
Yes. Please email ssaucer@rheumatology.org if you would like to purchase the upgrade.

Who will attend my session?
Attendance at the Innovation Theater sessions is open to all registered scientific attendees based on lanyard color and/or badge credentials. Exhibitors from non-presenting companies may be turned away, but no other restrictions on attendance will be applied. Ticketing or separate registration systems for your session are not permitted. The ACR strictly prohibits companies from creating their own ticketing or registration processes for attendees to pre-register for your presentation.

What is the maximum capacity?
The Innovation Theater has a seating capacity of approximately 200 attendees for each session. Due to local fire code, we are not able to accommodate standing room only. If you are expecting a larger audience, it is recommended that you consider the Innovation Theater Upgrade. This upgrade includes the option to live stream your session into your company’s booth via Vimeo, which provides an option for attendees who may be turned away due to capacity limits.

The ACR has designated the following dates and times for Industry-Supported Symposia:

• October 26, 5:30–7:30 PM CT (Corporate Roundtable Donors only)
• October 27, 5:30–7:30 PM CT (Corporate Roundtable Donors only)
• October 28, 5:30–7:30 PM CT (exhibitors only)
• October 29, 1:00–3:30 PM CT (post-event session)

• Exclusivity: other educational events are restricted during symposia times
• Symposia listings included in ACR Convergence Today and the mobile app
• One complimentary pre-registration mailing list for one-time use by the sponsoring organization to issue symposium invitations; to be distributed to a licensed/bonded mail house or printer
• Inclusion in on-site Industry-Supported Symposia kiosk staffed by ACR starting October 24–28; invitations that include symposia agendas, speakers and registration information can be distributed from the booth. Note: attendees cannot register for your symposium at the kiosk.

Please note that the application process has been broken into several components this year to help provide the most accommodating timeline to get information submitted. The first application is due May 30, the second is due June 27, and speaker information is due by August 23. See below for links and a more robust schedule.

March 24
Applications open: CME or non-CME

May 30
Final deadline for initial application – Part 1 Application/full payment due within two months

May 30–June 6
LOA’s will be generated and sent from applications submitted by May 30

June 6–Onward
Any open slots assigned on a first-come, first-served basis depending on availability

June 27
Part 2 Application due (same for CME/non-CME) - only for those that have a completed LOA following the Part 1 Application

July 30
Complete payment due

August 1
Speaker information due via SurveyMonkey

August 22–29
Complimentary mailing list order form due to Sophia Saucer (ssaucer@rheumatology.org)

September 5
Promotional material approval deadline; digital poster for ISS kiosk due

24 Hours Post-Symposia
Final attendance numbers reported to Sophia Saucer (ssaucer@rheumatology.org)

45 Days Post-Symposia
*Only for CME symposia

• Summary Report of attendee evaluations (per ACCME requirements)
• List of attendees
• Copy of presentation and any handouts distributed at the symposia

Who is eligible to host a symposium?
To host a symposium on Sunday, October 26 or Monday, October 27, the supporting organization must be a current Rheumatology Research Foundation Corporate Roundtable Donor at the Pinnacle or Principal levels. To host a symposium on Tuesday, October 28, the supporting organization must be a 2025 exhibitor. Any company, independent of Corporate Roundtable status, is invited to support a post-meeting symposium on Wednesday, October 29.

What is included in the program benefits for hosting a symposium?
Exclusivity: No other educational events will be held during your symposium timeslot. Inclusion in the official ACR Convergence Session Tracker, Mobile App, and ACR Convergence Today. One complimentary pre-registration mailing list for a one-time use to issue invitations for your symposium (distributed via a licensed/bonded mail house or printer). Inclusion in the on-site Industry-Supported Symposia kiosk, which will be staffed by ACR from Friday, October 24 to Tuesday, October 28. Kiosk hours will be updated contingent upon the final registration schedule.

What is the kiosk?
The Industry-Supported Symposia (ISS) Kiosk is a designated area set up by ACR at the event venue, usually located in a high-traffic section of the convention center lobby. It serves as a physical display space where organizations hosting symposia during the conference can provide information about their sessions.

The kiosk features a digital screen that rotates through symposia posters. On the reverse side of the screen, QR codes are displayed corresponding to each symposium. Attendees can scan these codes to instantly access digital versions of the posters and learn more about the sessions.

Next to the kiosk is a literature rack where participating companies can display printed materials such as invitations, flyers, or brochures promoting their symposia.

How soon can I choose my room, and what is the criteria?
Room assignments for symposia will be made based on the details provided in your Part 1 Application, which needs to be completed by May 30, 2025. The ACR will then review the applications and assign rooms based on a variety of factors, including corporate donor status, date/time of your application, and room size requirements based on your projected audience. After this initial round of assignments, you will receive confirmation of your room assignment by June 6, 2025.

Can I record or live stream my symposium?
Live streaming your symposium is not permitted. Symposia sessions can be recorded for later use or archival purposes.

Are symposia registered or ticketed?
Registration is the responsibility of the sponsoring or supporting organization. ACR does not provide registration for symposia. Registration instructions must be included in symposium invitations and materials, which are subject to ACR review.