Our 2017 annual conference will be held in Manly Beach, Sydney on 24-26 August 2017.
At a glance
- Theme: Communicating for Change
- Dates: Thursday 24 August – Saturday 26 August
- Where: Novotel Manly Pacific Hotel at Manly Beach (55 North Steyne, Manly)
- Cost: $320 + $120 per workshop (see pricing below)
- Keynote: Professor Robyn Williams AM Science journalist, broadcaster, book author, Living National Treasure
- 2017 Brochure: Download here
President’s Welcome
Why do we communicate? It’s a question AMWA Vice President Dr Sarah McKay and I pondered as we celebrated the closing of our 33rd conference in Auckland last August.
It is our responsibility, Sarah and I agreed, to inspire long-lasting, positive change; change at a personal level, change in the broader community, and change at a public policy level.
Thus, the theme for our 34th annual conference was resolved. Communicating for Change investigates how we can all raise the bar in our profession by being change advocates as well as excellent health communicators.
Over the past months, our 2017 conference committee has worked tirelessly to secure an incredible line-up of speakers. We are thrilled to welcome keynote Professor Robyn Williams, one of Australia’s most respected science journalists. Our program also features many leading, influential health and science communicators.
The professional development workshops will teach the essential skills expected of today’s top health communicators. Topics include best-practice health communication and social media, effective communication of scientific information, pitching to editors, and effective podcasting.
Learning and organising aside, the social program is always an important and popular conference feature. There will be plenty of networking and mingling opportunities during our morning tea and lunch breaks.
AMWA’s 34th annual conference promises to deliver on the association’s mission of promoting excellence in health and medical communications in Australasia. I look forward to welcoming you to stunning Manly Beach in August.
Michelle Guillemard
AMWA President (president@medicalwriters.org)
2017 Conference Commitee
Sarah McKay (convenor), Michelle Guillemard, James Graham, Fiona McKinnon, Ruth Hadfield, Ash Kumar, Julia Bates, Justin Coleman
Sponsors
About Manly
“Seven miles from Sydney and a thousand miles from care.” Manly and Port Jackson Steamship Company slogan, 1940.
The conference centre directly overlooks Sydney’s famous Manly beach. Situated just 18km (7 nautical miles) from the CBD, Manly is a premier destination for international tourists and domestic medical writers alike. The ocean views and modern facilities arguably make this the finest AMWA conference location in its 34-year history.
Conference Program
Thursday 24th August
6 – 8pm: Networking drinks, Novotel Manly Pacific Hotel, Manly
Friday 25th August
8am: Registration desk opens
8.30am – 12pm: Workshops A and B
- Workshop A Pitch Perfect with Anna Evangeli, Deputy Editor, Health and Medicine, The Conversation
- Workshop B Podcasting with Miles Martignoni, Guardian Australia podcast producer
- There will be a morning tea break from 10 – 10.30am
12. – 1pm: Lunch
1 – 1.40pm: Conference opening
- Welcome: Michelle Guillemard AMWA President, and Sarah McKay AMWA Vice President
- Keynote address: Professor Robyn Williams AM Science journalist, broadcaster, book author, Living National Treasure
1.40 – 3pm: Session 1 – The power of one voice: engaging your audience
- Stephen Pincock Editorial director, Partnership and Custom Media at Nature Research (publishers of Nature and Scientific American)
- Ben Bravery Science communicator, medical student, patient advocate, cancer survivor
- Eugenie Lee Emerging interdisciplinary artist with a focus on medical science
3 – 3.30pm: Afternoon tea
3.30 – 5pm: Session 2 – Preaching beyond the choir: promoting behaviour change
- Professor Ben Newell Deputy Head at the School of Psychology, UNSW
- Lyndell Coutts Communications Lead, Choosing Wisely Australia
- Bill Sukala Exercise Physiologist, media health spokesperson, health writer.
5 – 6pm: AMWA Annual General Meeting
7pm: AMWA Annual Conference Dinner
- Annual conference dinner, Blacket’s Bar, Hotel Steyne, 75 The Corso, Manly
- Guest speaker to be announced
Saturday 26th August
8am: Registration
8.30 – 10am: Session 3 Putting health media to work: influencing public health
- Sophie Scott National Medical Reporter for ABC TV and radio
- Catriona Bonfiglioli Journalist, PhD in media coverage of genetics, former AMWA President
- Becky Freeman Research Fellow, School of Public Health, University of Sydney
10 – 10.30am: Morning tea
10.30 – 12pm: Session 4 Pathways to medical writing – personal stories
- Jonathan Webb Science Unit at ABC Radio National, lapsed neuroscientist, former BBC News science reporter
- Tina Allen Freelance writer, book author, former AMWA President
- Melissa Sweet Founder croakey.org, co-founder Public Interest Journalism Foundation
12 – 12.15pm: Closing remarks
- Michelle Guillemard AMWA President
12.15 – 1.15: Lunch
1.15 – 5pm: Workshops C and D
- Workshop C – Using social media to grow your business and presence with Dr Tim Crowe Researcher, university lecturer, freelance writer, blogger, Advanced Accredited Practising Dietitian
- **SOLD OUT** – Workshop D – Effective communication of scientific information with Belinda Butcher director of WriteSource Medical Pty Ltd, pharmacologist
- There will be an afternoon tea break from 3 – 3.30pm
Conference ends at 5pm
Professional Development Program (PDP)
Delegates have a choice between concurrent workshops on Friday morning (A or B) and Saturday afternoon (C or D). Workshops cost $120 each, and bookings are separate to conference registration. However, a discounted workshop rate applies, if linked to a full or day registration.
Places are limited and early booking is advised. Bookings for workshop-only will be taken after 1 August.
Workshop A: Pitch Perfect: how to make sure editors read your story ideas and commission you on the spot.
- Presenter: Anna Evangeli, Deputy Editor, Health and Medicine, The Conversation
- About: Your story ideas need an audience: the right audience. This workshop shows you how to reach the right people, the right way and at the right time.
Workshop B: How to produce a great podcast.
- Presenter: Miles Martignoni, Guardian Australia podcast producer
- About: As a seasoned trainer, podcast producer at the Guardian Australia, and all round audio production guru, Miles will teach you how to get started on your first podcast. All you need is a laptop, a smartphone and a great story! The workshop will cover tips on presenting and interviewing for audio, different styles and storytelling formats, recording tips, post-production editing, and finally getting it out there.
Workshop C: Using social media to grow your presence and build your business.
- Presenter: Tim Crowe
- About: As a professional health communicator, having a strong social media presence is a way to not only provide credible and practical messages to large audiences, but to also grow your business and brand. Tim will outline some of his top tips on how to work with, not against social media. Choose the right platform, find your voice, provide valuable and shareable content, and engage with your audience.
Workshop D: It’s an evidence-based world: effective communication of scientific information. Please note: this workshop is now sold out.
- Presenter: Belinda Butcher
- About: Regulators and clinicians rely on evidence to make clinical decisions. But is all evidence the same, and what responsibilities do medical writers have when reporting the evidence? Learn how to critically appraise the scientific literature to find the best evidence and ensure your reporting is accurate.
Registration
We offer early-bird rates until Friday, 11 August.
When you register you have the option of registering for the full two-day program or one out of the two days. You can also choose to attend one workshop on one or both mornings. Workshop fees are additional to the conference fees.
Full Registrations (includes two days, no workshops)
- Member: $320 (increases to $450 after 11 August)
- Non-Member: $430 (increases to $540 after 11 August)
Single Day Registration (includes one day only, no workshops)
- Member: $220
- Non-Member: $275
- Student: $120
Workshops
- Workshop fee booked with a conference registration: $120
- Workshop fee booked without a conference registrations: $160
Conference Dinner
- Friday evening dinner: $70 (Hotel Steyne, (75 The Corso, Manly)
Note: AMWA is GST-exempt Conference registration includes:a ticket to the Welcome Reception, lunch and afternoon tea on each day, and a satchel and program for each delegate.
Payment can be made by credit card via a secure online payment gateway.
For alternate payment methods, please contact the Conference Secretariat. A Tax Invoice and confirmation will be sent via email at the time of registration.
Venue
The conference will be held at the Novotel Sydney Manly Pacific, 55 North Steyne, Manly, NSW. For further information, visit the venue website at novotelmanlypacific.com.au
Moving to the conference dinner on Friday night entails just a one-minute stroll along the beach forefront to Hotel Steyne, 75 The Corso, Manly. Our room is Blacket’s bar, named after Sydney architect Edmund Blacket, who designed the hotel in 1859.
Getting There
- Ferry: The Manly ferry from Circular Quay is a must-do for visitors and locals. Sydney ferries make the 30-minute trip regularly, day and night. The Fast Ferry takes 17 minutes.
- Bus: Bus services connect Manly with the CBD, the Northern Beaches and, to the west, St Leonards and Epping.
- Train: There are no train services running directly to Manly, but you can take a train to Circular Quay station and then a ferry from Circular Quay to Manly Wharf.
- Parking: In Manly, several council and private car parks are available within 5 minutes’ walk of the Novotel. The hotel offers secure parking for guests.
Bus, train, and ferry timetables and information about fares, passes and attractions are available at www.transportnsw.info
Social Program
- Welcome reception: Join the Conference Committee for preconference drinks and networking from 6-8pm on Thursday, 24 August. Tickets are included in the price of a full conference registration.
- Annual conference dinner: Tickets are $70 for a three-course meal, including limited drinks with a cash bar available. The dinner is always a conference highlight.
Tickets can be purchased for these functions when you register for the conference.
Accommodation
The Novotel Sydney Manly Pacific is now fully booked. Alternative accommodation options around Manly or the CBD are available via Airbnb or Stayz.
Cancellation Policy
Cancellations for registrations will only be accepted in writing to the Conference Secretariat. Registration cancellations made prior to 21 August 2017 will be refunded, less a cancellation fee of $100 to cover administration costs. No registration refunds will be made after this date. As an alternative to cancellation, a colleague may attend in your place if the Conference Secretariat is advised. Insurance Registration fees do not include insurance of any kind. It is recommended that at the time you register for the Conference and book your travel, you take out an insurance policy of your choice. The Conference Secretariat and AMWA cannot take any responsibility for any participant failing to arrange their own insurance.
Sponsorship and Display
Space Several sponsorship opportunities for sessions and workshop, satchel inserts and advertising in the delegates’ book are available. A sponsorship prospectus is available on the AMWA website: www.medicalwriters.org
Conference Secretariat
For Conference assistance, including registration queries, contact the Conference Secretariat: Nikki Abercrombie CEM Abercrombie Management E: amwa@abercrombiemanagement.com.au Phone: + 61 418 283 397