CONGRESS POSTPONED TO 4-7 FEBRUARY 2021

Dear Colleagues,
Following the extraordinary circumstances related to the coronavirus (Covid-19) outbreak and after thorough evaluation of the emergency situation globally, it’s with great regret that we must postpone the 17th World Congress on the Menopause.
The Congress now be held at the same venue, the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre, from Thursday 4th February through to Sunday 7th February 2021 (Pre-congress course to be held 3rd February 2021).
This is not a decision taken lightly, but the health and safety of our delegates, partners and staff are our prime consideration and have to be prioritised over all else.
Of note, we are transposing the entire program to the new dates such that the congress will be the same as that planned to have been held in Melbourne from 30 April to 3 May 2020.

All registrations will remain valid for the new dates.
We thank all our participants, sponsors and partners for understanding the need to take these steps and we very positively look forward to seeing you in Melbourne in February 2021 and together sharing a very successful congress

FAQ

If you are an invited speaker whose costs were to be covered/reimbursed by the Congress, please refer to the personal email that you received from the Organizing Secretariat.

1. Is my registration fee valid for the new dates in February 2021?
   Yes, all registrations to the congress, as well as oral and poster presentations are automatically moved to the new dates.
2. My registration was managed by a sponsor or agency, what should I do?
   From our side your registration is still valid.
   Please get in touch with your sponsor or agency to arrange your participation in February 2021.
3. Unfortunately I will not be able to attend the congress in February 2021, can I be reimbursed?
   Yes, refunds (less € 25,00 for taxes and administrative expenses) will be granted to those delegates unable to attend. 
   Please login to your personal area and fill in the cancellation form by Tuesday 14 April 2020.
4. I have already sent by email my cancellation request, should I resend it through the online form on the congress website?
   If you already received the reimbursement of your registration fee, or an email stating that we are working on it, you will automatically be reimbursed.
   If you didn’t receive any answer from us please login to your personal area and fill in the cancellation form.
5. I cancelled my registration but I will be able to attend on the new dates, what should I do?
   If you already received the reimbursement of your registration fee, please contact us. You will be able to register at the same rate you have registered earlier.
   If you didn’t receive the reimbursement or an email standing that we are working on it we will not continue your cancellation process and your registration will remain valid for the new dates, unless you go on your personal area and fill in the cancellation form.
6. What should I do with my travel and hotel booking?
   If you arranged your hotel booking through the congress website please contact the hotel booking manager.

   If you managed your travel and/or hotel arrangements personally, please get in touch with the airline/train company and hotel explaining them the situation. You should be able to reschedule for free your bookings.
   You can find in your personal area on the congress website an official letter from the congress that states the new dates. The COVID-19 is the reason for these dates moving and should be accepted as good reason by all suppliers. Please download this letter and hand it together with your dates moving request.
   If you booked travel and hotel through a travel agency you must refer to the agency directly. Please download the official letter from the congress that states the new dates. The COVID-19 is the reason for these dates moving and should be accepted as good reason by all suppliers. Please download this letter and hand it together with your dates moving request.

7. Hotel, airline company or travel agency did not accept to reschedule or reimburse my booking for free, will the congress reimburse me?
   Neither the IMS, nor the Organizing Secretariat can be responsible for financial engagements taken by third parties. The social instability and travel limitations caused by COVID-19 outbreak are good reasons for the Organizing Secretariat to move the congress to future dates in order to guarantee the wellbeing and safety of all delegates, staff and suppliers involved in this event.
8. The new congress dates are February 4 -7 2021, will my VISA be still valid in those dates?
   Please check on your VISA the validity dates, unfortunately you may have to apply for a new VISA.
   Please download from your personal page the new invitation letter as well as the Postponement Letter.

   NOTE: The Department of Home Affairs of the Australian Government did not defined yet any specific VISA cost refund policy connected to the extraordinary situation due to COVID-19 outbreak.
   We are keeping the website of the Home Affairs Department monitored and we will keep you updated as soon as new information will be published.
   In the meanwhile please find here below the answers we have just received from the International Event Coordinator Network of the Home Affair Department of the Australian Government.

   If delegates have already applied for the VISA, what are they required to do?
   Where delegates have already applied for the visa, they will be required to withdraw their applications. They can refer to the following link which will provide information on withdrawing applications: https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/change-in-situation/withdraw-visa-application
   They will need to lodge another application closer to the date of the event (at least 4-6 weeks before the event).
   If they have alreay paid the VISA and wish to claim a refund, they will have to satisfy the normal refund criteria which is available on https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/change-in-situation/get-a-refund

9. I have a presentation scheduled during the congress, what will happen with it?
   The scientific program will not be subject to major changes. However, some may occur due to previous engagements of the speakers in those dates.
10. Can I change my abstract before the new congress dates?
    Yes, after April 14th you will be able to modify or re-submit your abstract.
    Guidelines on this are available on the Abstracts page.
11. I booked a tour through the congress website, what will happen with it?
    Please get in touch with the travel agency that is managing our pre and post congress tours in Melbourne and Australia.