APSS Statement on Meeting in Houston

The Associated Professional Sleep Societies, LLC (APSS) is a joint venture of the American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM) and the Sleep Research Society (SRS). Together, our organizations host the annual SLEEP meeting. The APSS fully embraces diversity and equity and promotes inclusion. Indeed, everyone sleeps, and everyone should feel welcomed at SLEEP.

From time to time, changes in state laws impact our organizations, our members and our SLEEP meeting attendees in ways that could compromise the welcoming environment we strive to achieve at our annual conference. At this point in time, this may be particularly true for those who feel uneasy about traveling to locations where access to reproductive care is in flux. We also recognize and respect that members of the sleep and circadian community hold varying views about reproductive rights.

In our efforts to create an inclusive and welcoming environment at SLEEP 2024, we acknowledge the concerns of our members and attendees. The APSS Board of Directors will take the following steps:

  1. We will inform potential attendees of changes in state or local laws and regulations in meeting locations so they can make informed decisions about attending SLEEP 2024. As information changes, we will share it as soon as possible and may take additional steps based on future circumstances.
  2. We encourage meeting attendees to consult with their health care provider and discuss any concerns about traveling and attending the meeting.
  3. We will continue our flexible cancellation policy for 2024, which allows a full refund of registration fees until 1:00 p.m. CDT on Sunday, June 2, 2024, for any individual who registers but elects not to attend the meeting for any reason.
  4. We will continue to make recorded meeting content available.

We are sincerely grateful for the input we have received from our members on this issue. We recognize and respect the concerns and diverse viewpoints that have been expressed.

The SRS, AASM and APSS and we as individuals are all committed to creating a welcoming environment at SLEEP 2024. If you have additional ideas about how we can make our meeting a welcoming place to learn together, please reach out to us. We are always open to new ideas and value input from our highly engaged members.

Jennifer Martin, PhD
President, APSS

Namni Goel, PhD
President, SRS

James Rowley, MD
President, AASM

[email protected]