General Call for Input Session Types

The ATS conference sessions use a standard lecture learning format accompanied by PowerPoint slide presentations. The use of an audience response system to engage the audience is available upon request for certain session types.

Pre-conference Postgraduate Course (Skills-Based) is the only session type that features live, hands-on equipment demonstrations with attendee participation. If you plan to submit a didactic Postgraduate Course proposal, with or without breakout rooms, please change your Session Type to a pre-conference full-day or half-day Postgraduate Course (Didactic).

Any request for the incorporation of a unique learning format or additional audio-visual equipment systems must be discussed with the ATS at the time of session approval, prior to any additional planning, and reviewed for compliance with ACCME Standards, feasibility and cost. Failure to disclose additional requirements may result in the rejection of your session.

The content of proposals will be reviewed by the ATS 2026-2027 International Conference Committee, Program Committees and Subcommittees and ranked within the context of all other proposals.

Pre-Conference Postgraduate Courses (Didactic)

Pre-conference half- day or full-day courses held on the Friday or Saturday prior to the Conference
Half day PG Courses should include 7 or fewer presenters.
Full day PG Courses should include 12 or fewer presenters.
should be a more comprehensive, organized review of knowledge, rather than of recent advances only
learning format: includes didactic lectures and general discussions presented with the aid of PowerPoint slides
proposers are encouraged to incorporate active learning techniques (such as ARS), panel discussions, small group discussions, and breakout sessions.
room is set in a classroom layout
audience response system is available upon request
course length: half day: 4 hours including time for breaks or full day: 8 hours including time for lunch and breaks
a separate registration and an additional fee are required of those who wish to attend
hands-on equipment demonstrations are not permitted in Didactic PG Courses

Please read the Criteria for Postgraduate Courses prior to submitting your proposal.

Pre-Conference Postgraduate Courses (Skills-Based)

Pre-conference full-day courses held on the Friday or Saturday prior to the Conference
should be a more comprehensive, organized review of knowledge and include equipment and procedure hands on-demonstrations
learning format: practical skills segments providing the learner with hands-on skill learning of equipment and procedures. Over 50% of the course curriculum must be allocated to hands-on skills.
lecture portion of the course is set in a classroom layout
audience response system is available upon request
course length: 8 hours including time for lunch and breaks (half-day courses are not permitted)
for each practical skills station, the proposal must include the title/topic, number of participants per station, station rotation plan, proposed faculty assigned to each station
proposals should not include more than 12 speakers.
a separate registration and an additional fee are required of those who wish to attend
For approved courses:
- course chair will be asked to provide a detailed equipment and possible vendor list and a floor plan for the demonstration portion of the course
- chairs and faculty will be expected to attend a pre-course orientation on the day before the course

Please read the Criteria for Postgraduate Courses prior to submitting your proposal.

Scientific Symposium

Meet the Expert Seminars

The Meet the Expert offer a platform for direct interaction with recognized leaders in specific fields.

one-hour sessions in all areas
no more than 1-2 speakers in a seminar
the presentation should have a real-world focus, either clinical or research, that can be a basis to stimulate interchange with the audience.
the presentation will take place at the beginning of the seminar and should not run loner than 20-30 minutes. The remainder of the hour should be for interchange between the speaker(s) and the audience.
usually presented by one speaker but a maximum of one-two speakers can be considered if they constitute an integrated team that is necessary to meet seminar objectives.
Speaker Criteria: speakers may be recognized experts in specific fields or emerging independent academics, researchers, clinicians, and technology or procedural experts. You will need to identify your proposed speaker(s) in the proposal:
- established, peer-recognized experts at or above the level of assistant professor (or equivalent). These seminars typically feature one speaker, but a maximum of two speakers can be considered. Note that the ATS acknowledges that position titles can differ between institutions, countries as well as disciplines. For this reason, these definitions should be treated as a guide.
- emerging independent academics, researchers, clinicians, and technology or procedural experts. Though fellows and trainees can participate as co-speakers, an early career independent professional, including technology or procedural experts, should lead the seminar.
a separate registration and an additional fee are required of those who wish to attend
registration is limited to 30 attendees