POLICY – TRAVEL SAFETY AND REFUNDS – SPUMS ANNUAL SCIENTIFIC MEETINGS
TRAVEL SAFETY INCLUDING COVID 19 INSURANCE
SPUMS convenes an ASM, and from time to time also hosts other educational events, seminars and meetings. These events are frequently held at overseas locations.
Members, delegates and speakers who attend SPUMS hosted events and any associated activities do so entirely at their own risk. SPUMS is not responsible for delegates who attend these events.
Members, delegates and speakers who attend SPUMS hosted events agree to obtain full health checks, appropriate travel and vaccination advice, purchase appropriate travel and medical insurance including specific COVID Insurance, and carry any necessary medications for their travel.
They also agree to keep up to date with any Australian Government travel warnings about SPUMS hosted venues, to be fully informed when making decisions about travel (including COVID) : https://www.smartraveller.gov.au/.
SPUMS ANNUAL SCIENTIFIC MEETING REFUND POLICY
SPUMS Annual Scientific Meetings are complex to organise and are undertaken by volunteer member convenors. The convenor(s) act in good faith, giving up significant personal time to run the conference. When undertaken overseas, an added layer of complexity is introduced, involving international currency and risks of cancellation due to diseases political events and pandemics. Hence at the time of committing to an annual scientific meeting, it is frequently necessary for SPUMS to outlay significant sums of money in advance, which cannot always be recouped if an untoward event occurs, and which are not available to be refunded to delegates.
The following refund policy applies for cancellation of conference registrations has been developed taking into account the significant requirements for advance payment of potentially non-refundable services:
| Cancellation greater than 9 months before the conference: | 100% refund |
| Cancellation greater than 6 months but less than 9 months before the conference: | 75% refund |
| Cancellation greater than 3 months but less than 6 months before the conference: | 50% refund |
| For cancellations less than 3 months before the conference: | Nil refund |
REFUNDS FOR ACCOMMODATION, TRAVEL, PRACTICAL DIVE WORKSHOPS AND OTHER LINKED EVENTS
SPUMS shall not be held responsible for any financial commitments other than those defined and covered by in the Annual Scientific Meeting registration.
In the event of seeking a refund for a cancellation initiated by the delegate (or the conference organisers due to unforeseen circumstances), any such payments made to third parties are the responsibility of the third party. Delegates seeking refunds should deal directly with that provider and/or their travel insurance. (See above Travel Safety)
CHANGES TO THIS POLICY
We reserve the right, at our sole discretion, to modify or replace this policy at any time. If a revision is material we will try to provide at least 30 days' notice prior to any new terms taking effect. What constitutes a material change will be determined at our sole discretion.
CONTACT US
If you have any questions about this policy, please contact us: