Information for MECC

The ATS encourages Industry Supported Evening Symposia in conjunction with the ATS 2026 International Conference. These programs complement the content offered by the ATS and provide an opportunity for attendees to further enrich their learning experiences during the premier educational event for Pulmonary, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine professionals. While the content of these programs is the sole responsibility of the supporting company or companies, the ATS encourages programs that are scientific in nature.

The ATS welcomes non-accredited and accredited programs from our Medical Education and Communication Company (MECC) colleagues, in addition to our colleagues in industry. Prior approval is required from the ATS to host an accredited program at an additional fee. Please contact Meredith Smalstig, Associate Director, Sponsorships and Program with any questions you may have at msmalstig@thoracic.org for more information.

The MECC application is a two-step process; ATS declines applications not following this process.

All MECC programs require an Acknowledgement Letter from the ATS that should be included in any grant submissions. This letter provides support that the proposed program meets the rules & regulations surrounding Industry Supported Evening Symposia programs at the ATS International Conference, but is not a replacement for the ATS education grant requests.

To request an acknowledgement letter, please submit a letter on company letterhead requesting to hold an Industry Supported Evening Symposium at the ATS International Conference. Letter should be emailed to Meredith Smalstig, Associate Director, Sponsorships and Program at msmalstig@thoracic.org. Once the request letter has been accepted and approved, the ATS provides the MECC with an Acknowledgment Letter to be included in grant submissions.

The letter should include the following:

1. Topic/disease state
2. A preliminary agenda
3. Learning objectives
4. Educational design/learning format
5. Companies from which you plan to seek commercial support
6. A disclaimer stating that presentations cannot offer CME/CE or any other form of professional credit, and cannot be used to create CME/CE/MOC content post-conference OR A statement that the presentation will be offering CME/CE or any other form of professional credit, and can be used to create CME/CE/MOC content post-conference at an additional fee..

The application will launch Tuesday, Sept. 16 at 11:30 AM ET. Applications are available at the time of opening on the ATS conference website: http://conference.thoracic.org/exhibitors/industry-programs/. All applications are processed in order of receipt and placed by the ATS. The ATS declines applications who do not request an Acknowledgment Letter in advance.

Please contact Meredith Smalstig at msmalstig@thoracic.org to receive email updates on industry programs.