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 ABOUT THE EVENT

A Workshop on ASTM Standards on Trial: The Impact of the Absence of Standards on Product Liability Litigation in a Mock Trial (Commotio Cordis in the Courtroom), will be held Tuesday, November 10, 2009 from 1:00pm to 4:30pm. Sponsored by ASTM Committee F08 on Sports Equipment and Facilities, the workshop will be held at the Hyatt Regency Atlanta in Atlanta, Georgia, USA, in conjunction with the November 11-13, 2009 standards development meetings of the committee.

The workshop will consist of a team of lawyers from across the United States who will present a Mock Trial. This program will demonstrate what happens to standards, or the lack of standards, in product liability litigation. Members of the Sporting Goods Manufacturers Association (SGMA) Legal Task Force are working together to produce a program that is both educational and entertaining. There will be opportunities to sit on a jury and to decide the case based on presentations by both the plaintiffs and the defendants. You can expect fireworks, as well as humor to take place in the trial.

If you never had an opportunity to see an actual trial, here is the chance to do it "pain-free." Some of the best litigators in the country are participating in this program, and you will see what happens as a product liability case involving protective gear and ASTM standards unfold.

The program will take place from 1:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m., with an opportunity for questions following the presentations and the jury deliberations.

 REGISTRATION INFORMATION

Online registration opens approximately 8 weeks before the workshop and closes November 4, 2009. The fees to attend this workshop are listed below.

Students – A student's fee is waived, provided that he/she is a full-time student and is not employed full time. After registering online, the student must check in at the ASTM Registration Desk on site and present his/her student ID.

All attendees, including presenters and ASTM members, are urged to register online for this event so that space requirements can be accommodated. If you do not register online by the closing date, then you must register upon arrival at the workshop. All attendees must check in at the ASTM registration desk upon arrival at workshop.

Cancellation
A refund of the workshop fee will be honored only if requested at least 7 business days prior to the workshop. To cancel your registration and request a refund, please contact Hannah Sparks at hsparks@astm.org or 610-832-9678.

If you have questions concerning online registration, please contact Hannah Sparks in Symposia Operations at hsparks@astm.org, Tel: 610-832-9677, or ASTM Technical Support at support@astm.org or 1-800-262-1373 (domestic) or 610-832-9578 (international).

  TECHNICAL CHAIR CONTACT INFORMATION

Additional information about the workshop is available from Workshop Chairman Mark Granger, Morrison Mahoney LLP, Boston, MA, Email: mgranger@morrisonmahoney.com, tel: 617-439-7518.

 STANDARDS DEVELOPMENT MEETINGS

Meeting schedules of Committee F08 are posted on the ASTM web site at www.astm.org/COMMIT/COMMITTEE/F08.htm, or contact the ASTM staff manager, Christi Sierk, at csierk@astm.org or tel: 610-832-9728.

 FUTURE MEETING DATES

Committee F08 invites you to attend their future standards development meetings. There is no fee to attend these meetings, and membership in ASTM International is not required. For more information, visit the web page listed immediately above, and click on "Future Meetings".

 HOTEL INFORMATION

Reservations may be made by telephoning the Hyatt Regency Atlanta directly at 1-800-233-1234. To make your hotel reservation on-line, visit http://atlantaregency.hyatt.com/groupbooking/atlraasta2009. Select your dates and proceed as instructed. If you need assistance with your reservation call the hotel directly.

Group rate will be honored until the ASTM block is full but no later than Friday, October 9, 2009. ASTM rates are $145 single/double plus 15% tax (when calling directly you must mention ASTM November Meeting to receive group rate). You may be charged a higher rate if reservations are received after the cut-off date, or when the block is full.

U.S. Government Rates: The Hyatt Regency Atlanta has a limited number of rooms at the Government per diem rate of $141. To obtain a government rate call the hotel directly at 404-577-1234 to make your reservation.

IMPORTANT! ASTM Rates are non-commissionable. If you book your reservation through a travel agent they must ask for a non-commissioned ASTM Group Rate. ASTM cannot adjust your higher rate if commissions were paid to a travel agent.

Advance Deposit: The Hyatt Regency Atlanta requires a credit card to guarantee your reservation.

Confirmation Notices: The Hyatt Regency Atlanta sends confirmations by email.

Cancellation/Change Policy: At the Hyatt Regency Atlanta notice of cancellation must be received by 3:00pm, 24 hours prior to arrival date.

Check the ASTM Website for Updates on Overflow Hotel Room Availability

INTERNET
The Hyatt Regency Atlanta provides internet access throughout the hotel at a cost of $9.95 for 24 hours.

 HEADQUARTERS AND TRANSPORTATION

All meetings will be held at the Hyatt Regency Atlanta, 265 Peachtree St., NE, Atlanta, GA 30303. The hotel is located approximately 10 miles/20 minutes from the Hartsfield International Airport. The hotel's phone number is 404-577-1234 and the general fax number is 404-588-4137. The web site is www.atlantaregency.hyatt.com/hyatt/hotels/index.jsp.

For information on the city of Atlanta visit the Atlanta Convention Visitors Bureau Website at: www.atlanta.net.

AIRPORT SHUTTLE SERVICE
Link Airport Shuttle Service is available at the ground transportation terminal. The cost is $16.50 per person one-way and $29 round trip. Taxis cost approximately $32.

MARTA (Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority)
From Hartsfield International Airport, you can travel directly to the Hyatt Regency Hotel. MARTA runs Monday thru Friday from 5:00am to 1:00am every 20 minutes on weekends and holidays from 5:00am thru 12:30am every 25 minutes. The cost for MARTA is $2.00 one way.

PARKING
Valet parking is available for $27 per day with in and out privileges.

 MISCELLANEOUS

DRESS/WEATHER
Members have the option to determine their dress at ASTM meetings. Business casual attire is acceptable at this meeting and appropriate for Atlanta. The average temperatures in November range from a high of 63 degrees to a low of 41 degrees.

SPECIAL NEEDS
Please advise the hotel and ASTM of any disability that will require special attention. The Hyatt Regency Atlanta is in compliance with ADA standards.