Thank you for participating at the upcoming 38th APAO Congress in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia on Feb 23-26 (Thursday – Sunday). This is a full face to face conference at the acclaimed Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre (KL Convention Centre). Presentations are assembled in sessions according to a theme during the 3.5-day conference. They are assigned in 14 session rooms in levels 1, 3, and 4 of KL Convention Centre. Participants can access the sessions of their choice with the delegate QR Code on the APAO Smartphone App or the printed delegate named badge.
Please note that all sessions will be recorded for Congress on-demand (https://video.apaophth.org) so that all registered delegates can have FREE access 24/7 and catch up with the sessions they’ve missed. The recordings of the invited sessions would be available starting from Feb 27 – Mar 2 after the Congress. Free access will end on Mar 25, 2023. After this, delegates may keep their access by purchasing credits.
The following information is provided to make your attendance at the Congress as pleasant as possible. If you have any queries during the Congress or require any assistance, please visit the Registration Desk where our team will be happy to help.
VISA
Some countries require valid visas to enter Malaysia. Please refer to the following links for a current list of countries that require visas, associated fees and information on how to apply.
MALAYSIA BUSINESS EVENTS SPECIAL IMMIGRATION LANE
We are excited to announce a Malaysia Business Events Special Immigration Lane for all delegates attending the 38th Asia-Pacific Academy of Ophthalmology Congress 2023 (APAO 2023) at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) and the Kuala Lumpur International Airport 2 (KLIA2).
Supported by MyCEB and the Immigration Department of Malaysia, these lanes will help delegates speed up the immigration process upon arrival at the airports..
Directions for Arrivals in Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) ^
- Head to the APAO 2023 KLIA Desk (next to the Currency Exchange Counter) and show our Desk Team this e-card* (attached in this email) for verification.
- You will be guided to the Immigration Lane 39 or 40 for expedited Immigration Clearance,
- APAO 2023 KLIA Desk available hours: 9am – 9pm (GMT+8), February 20 – 23, 2023.
If you happen to arrive outside of APAO 2023 KLIA Airport Desk operating hours, please proceed to Immigration Lane 39 or 40 and showing the attached e-card* to the Immigration Officer on duty.
Directions for Arrivals in Kuala Lumpur International Airport 2 (KLIA2) ^
- Look for the APAO 2023 KLIA2 Airport Team roving nearby at the Immigration hall with handheld signages and proceed to show the e-card* for verification
- You will be guided to the APEC & Diplomatic Immigration Lane for expedited Immigration Clearance.
- APAO 2023 KLIA2 Airport Team available hours: 9am – 9pm (GMT+8), February 21 – 23, 2023.
If you happen to arrive outside of APAO 2023 KLIA2 Airport Team operating hours, please proceed to the APEC & Diplomatic Immigration Lane and showing the attached e-card* to the Immigration Officer on duty.
* Failure to do will result in delegates having to queue at the general immigration clearance lanes.
^ Showing the attached e-card for verification and access to the special immigration lane is MANDATORY.
^ Attend on a first-come-first-served basis.
^ Terms and conditions are subject to changes at the discretion of the Immigration Department of Malaysia.
GETTING TO THE KL CONVENTION CENTRE
Getting to the KL Convention Centre is very convenient as it is accessible by car and public transport.
Taxi and Ride Shares
Taxis or ride shares (alternatively known as e-hailing) may drop passengers at the entrance of the KL Convention Centre. Popular ride-sharing or e-hailing services include Grab, MyCar and Kumpool.
LRT
Visitors can catch the LRT to the KLCC LRT stop. Once you disembark, follow the directional signage that takes visitors through the Suria KLCC Shopping Mall and proceed to the pedestrian tunnel that leads to the Concourse Level of the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre
Car
The KL Convention Centre has its own parking area with the entrance right next to the Traders Hotel. Parking rates for the first hour or part thereof is RM5.00, with every subsequent hour or part thereof being RM4.00. The maximum rate (5pm to 5am) is RM17.00.
https://2023.apaophth.org/visiting-malaysia/
REGISTRATION AND HELP DESK
The APAO Congress 2023 registration and help desk is located at the Banquet Hall (February 22 – 24), Level 3 and the Centre Core Counter (February 25 – 26), Level 3 with the following opening hours:
Banquet Hall at Level 3 (February 22 – 24)
| Feb 22, 2023 (Wed) | 14:00 – 19:30 |
| Feb 23, 2023 (Thu) | 07:30 – 18:00 |
| Feb 24, 2023 (Fri) | 07:30 – 18:00 |
Centre Core Counter at Level 3 (February 25 – 26)
| Feb 25, 2023 (Sat) | 07:30 – 18:00 |
| Feb 26, 2023 (Sun) | 07:30 – 11:30 |
Delegates are required to show their confirmation letter to our staff when you arrive at the registration counter to get your badge to access the venue. Please download / screencap it at congress.apaophth.org
Please note that the trainee registration category, with reduced registration rates, will not be available on site during the Congress, though trainees may receive a partial refund by submitting their form after the event. For more information, go to https://2023.apaophth.org/registration/.
ON-SITE PAYMENT
Onsite payment can be made at the Registration Desk during opening hours. Cash and credit cards are accepted in local currency (Malaysian Ringgit) only. Cheques are not accepted.
NAME BADGES
In the first day of the congress i.e., Feb 23, all delegates registered for the Congress should receive the QR Code on APAO Smartphone App which allows you to access the scientific session room before printing a name badge.
All delegates registered for the Congress are still required to issue a name badge at the Registration Desk. It entitles you to entry to the following:
- All Scientific Sessions;
- Exhibition Hall; and
- Opening Ceremony of APAO 2023
This badge will be the official pass and must be worn at all times while on-site by the named delegate only.
All badges are nontransferable. Reissuing of name badges for the delegate/accompanying person will be available at the Registration Desk. An administrative fee of US$20 may be incurred for re-issuing a delegate badge.
Accompanying Persons (if any) are entitled to enter only the Exhibition Hall and Opening Ceremony of APAO 2023.
DELEGATE BAG COLLECTION
Delegate bags are available at the registration counter. Delegates can collect their own delegate bag once the name badge is issued.
RIBBON COLLECTION
Ribbons are available for pickup at the Registration Hall.
DRESS CODE
Neat casual attire is acceptable for attendance at Congress sessions and social functions.
ADVICE ON PREVENTION OF COVID-19
The wearing of masks is only compulsory in healthcare facilities and public transport. It is optional to wear masks during the Congress.
APAO SMARTPHONE APP
The APAO 2023 mobile app provides easy-to-use interactive capabilities to enhance your Congress experience. The app features all the scientific sessions and instruction courses, posters, e-posters, video abstracts, general information, floor plan, and a city map. With the utilization of the Congress App, you will have access to real-time interaction with the session speakers or panelists by posting questions at the ‘Q&A’ section in each individual symposium. The app will be available on the website from Feb 10th.
Updating the app regularly is recommended. For help on downloading the app and navigating its functions, please ask for assistance at the Registration Desk.
FINAL BOOK
(SCIENTIFIC PROGRAM / ABSTRACT BOOK / EXHIBITOR DIRECTORY)
A PDF copy of the abstract book will be available online from Feb 22 at https://2023.apaophth.org/publications. No hard copies will be distributed.
SPEAKER READY ROOM
All speakers are required to check in and upload their PowerPoint at the respective Speaker Ready Room 24 hours before their scheduled presentation. The computers in the Speaker Ready Room will have the exact same configuration as those in the session rooms. It is imperative that you review your presentation in the Speaker Ready Room where our technicians will help resolve any compatibility and/or formatting issues.
The PowerPoint and video files you have uploaded onto the computer in the Speaker Ready Room will be automatically transmitted to the laptop computer at the podium before your session begins. The Speaker Ready Room will be open during the following times at Meeting Room 306, Level 3, KL Convention Centre:
| Feb 22, 2023 (Wed) | 14:00 – 18:00 |
| Feb 23, 2023 (Thu) | 07:30 – 18:00 |
| Feb 24, 2023 (Fri) | 07:30 – 18:00 |
| Feb 25, 2023 (Sat) | 07:30 – 18:00 |
| Feb 26, 2023 (Sun) | 07:30 – 11:30 |
SCIENTIFIC POSTERS
Paper posters can be found in the Poster Area at Exhibition Hall 6 and 7. There will be one poster session showcasing over 200 posters.
- PO-001-PO-120: Level 1, Exhibition Hall 6
- PO-121-PO-240: Level 3, Exhibition Hall 7
Poster sessions will be conducted during the morning and afternoon breaks from Feb 23-26, 2023. Delegates can use the image scanner to scan the poster. They will then be directed to a recording made by the author where applicable.
Additionally, delegates can vote for 5 of their favorite posters using the stickers found inside the delegate bag. Voting begins on Feb 23 at 09:00 and ends on Feb 25 at 12:00 noon.
POSTER DISCUSSION AREA
Selected posters will be presented at the Poster Discussion Area located at Exhibition Hall 6 & 7. Schedule can be found in the final book and Smartphone App.
E-POSTER & VIDEO PLATFORM
There are over 520 accepted electronic posters and 101 selected videos showcased in APAO 2023. Delegates may visit the E-Poster and Video Platform located in the Exhibition Hall 6. They can view e-posters via the smartphone app. They will then be directed to a recording made by the author where applicable.
In addition, delegates can vote for 5 of their favorite e-posters and videos using the platform in the Exhibition Hall. The voting period ends on Feb 25 at 12:00 noon.
IMAGING COMPETITION
Images from the APAO-APOIS Imaging Competition will be displayed at the E-Poster Station located at the Exhibitor Hall 6. Award presentation will take place at the Cultural Party on Feb 25 at 18:30-21:30.
APAO CULTURAL PARTY AND AWARD CEREMONY
The festive APAO 2023 Cultural Party is the event to appreciate the efforts that colleagues and friends have done in a year. It features a special performance and the awards presentation, which is not limited to APAO Distinguished Service Awards, APAO Outstanding Service in Prevention of Blindness Awards and APAO Achievement Awards, etc. Admission Fee is US$75. Ticket is available at the registration counter.
CERTIFICATES OF ATTENDANCE
Certificates of Attendance can be downloaded through the APAO Congress system (http://congress.apaophth.org/) after the Congress. Please log in with the same email address that you used to register for the Congress.
CONTINUING MEDICAL EDUCATION
The 38th APAO Congress has been granted 17 European CME credits by the European Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (EACCME)
CONTINUING PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT (CPD)
ACCREDITATION IN MALAYSIA
Malaysian Medical Association (MMA)*
The 38th APAO Congress has been granted 20 CPD credits.
Malaysian delegates are required to use the MMA Scanner App to scan a QR Code, which will only be available from 12pm on Feb 26, at the Registration Counter, Level 3.
* MMA members are required to download the MMA Event/CPD app onto their mobile phone
(please use this link: http://onelink.to/mmaapp).
* MMA Members should log in using the same email and password used for the MMA website.
Academy of Medicine of Malaysia (AMM)
The 38th APAO Congress has been granted 20 points. The Event ID: 22131 has been listed in the Medical Specialist CPD System.
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