Information & Terms
NOTES TO ALL PARTICIPANTS
ACCOMMODATION
Accommodation at the Southern Sun hotels adjacent to the congress venue is available at discounted rates to SASCRS 2026 delegates. Book online at congress preferential rates. Visit the accommodation page for more information.
- Sandton Towers, 5-star award-winning hotel is conveniently connected to the Sandton Convention Centre by a skywalk.
- Sandton Sun, 5-star hotel, integrated into Sandton City and also connected to the Sandton Convention Centre by a skywalk.
- Garden Court Sandton City, 3 star accommodation adjacent to the Sandton Convention Centre.
These hotels offer outstanding service and will be sold on a “first come first served”-basis.
Skywalks connect the congress venues to the Sandton Sun and Towers, the Sandton City Mall and Nelson Mandela Square.
On 7 December 2025 all unsold rooms will be released from the congress block. You can still make a reservation, but availability and preferetial rates cannot be guaranteed.
- Please book your accommodation early with the hotel of your choice to benefit from the preferential rates below and avoid disappointment.
- It is peak season in Gauteng and rooms will be limited.
Alternative Accommodation at other hotels such as the 2-star City Lodge or guest houses are also available. Contact the congress organisers for more information.
AGREEMENT
By submitting a registration, abstract or application to participate as sponsor or exhibitor we accept that you have read and agree to all terms & conditions.
We also accept that you agree to receive information:
a) via E-mail from the congress office relating to this registration;
and/or b) via SMS or WhatsApp from the organising committee related to congress programme updates.
AIRPORT SHUTTLE
- Gautrain: 20 minutes’ travel from the OR Tambo international airport to Sandton station.
Hotels offer a shuttle service from the Sandton Gautrain station
Book your shuttle directly with your hotel
Gautrain rates and timetables: https://www.gautrain.co.za/ - Wanatu shuttle services: https://wanatu.co.za/
- Uber: https://www.uber.com/za/
- Self drive: Parking is available at the SCC. Use the entrance in Alice Lane
ATTENDEE TYPES: WHO MAY REGISTER?
- Ophthalmologist
- Registrar: Registrar registered in an Ophthalmology Department
- Medical Officer: Medical Officers registered in an Ophthalmology Department in Southern Africa
- Allied Health Professional / Community Field Worker
- Medical Doctor from another discipline
- Ocularist
- Ophthalmic Assistant in the employment of a Southern African Ophthalmologist or Eye Hospital / Institute
- Ophthalmic Nurse employed/registered at a Southern African hospital / clinic / practice
- Orthoptist
- Optometrist in the employed
- Practice Manager or Administrator in the employment of an Ophthalmologist or Eye Hospital / Institute
- Accompanying guest: spouse, child or partner accompanying a registered delegate
- : Registered representative in the service of a company participating in the Commercial Exhibition
ATTIRE & WHAT TO PACK
- Academic Sessions: Business elegant or smart casual
- Social events: Business elegant or smart casual
CANCELLATION & REFUND POLICY
Application to cancel must be made in writing, signed by the registrant and submitted to Organising Chairman, with a copy to the Congress Office email address
- Cancellation received 8 weeks or more prior to the commencement date: ZAR 500 will be charged for administration
- Cancellation within 4 weeks prior to the commencement date: No Refund will be made
- Refunds will be processed after the congress
- No refunds will be made for meals not taken
CLIMATE
It is summer, but the weather could be unpredictable
CONGRESS LOCATION AND VENUE
Sandton is most conveniently situated and highly accessible with approximately 20 minutes with the Gautrain and less than an hour by road from the O R Tambo airport.
- Delegates and their accompanying guests will find within easy reach a variety of cultural experiences and entertainment facilities.
- The Sandton Convention Centre (SCC) is a multi-award winning venue, offering world-class facilities and services.
- The Skywalk connects to the Sandton Sun and Towers hotels, the Sandton City Mall and the Nelson Mandela Square.
Facilities at the SCC
- Free WiFi access
- Secure undercover parking at the SCC, Nelson Mandela Square or Sandton City
- Business centre
- Facilities for the physically challenged
- ATM bank
- Skywalk access to the Sandton City Mall and Nelson Mandela Square.
All programmes will be held on level 2 of the SCC
- Main academic program – Ballroom
- Exhibition venue – Ballroom
- Main registration – Ballroom foyer
- Master classes, parallel sessions of the main program – Boardroom / Ballroom 4 (enquire at registration or follow the signage)
- Two-day Congress for Ophthalmic Personnel – Boardroom / Ballroom 4 (enquire at registration or follow the signage)
Speakers review facility will be provided on level 2 of the SCC
- Plenary sessions: Ballroom: A room for speakers to upload and review presentations will be provided inside the main plenary lecture venue
- Master classes / Two-day programme: Speakers can review their presentations in Boardroom 4, near the lecture venue or inside the lecture venue
- IT and AV technicians will be available to assist speakers and to upload lectures to the academic program systems
- IT and AV technicians will be available to assist speakers and to upload lectures to the academic program systems
- Visit the registration desks for details
CPD/ CME ACCREDITATION
- Accreditation points will be allocated for every session
- The certificates will be distributed via email or available from the website
COPYING OR RECORDING of Lectures and Presentations
Intellectual property rights restrict the copying or recording of lectures and presentations
CORRESPONDENCE
CURRENCY
- South African Rand (ZAR) and Credit cards are accepted by most hotels and shops
- Foreign Exchange branches are located at the airport and at shopping malls in the area
CURRENT: 220V 50hz
ENTITLEMENTS
Delegates: Payment of the registration fee entitles the Delegate to:
- Participate in the congress
- Access to congress sessions as in the program
- Access to the congress masterclasses – Booking is essential
- Lunch and refreshments served during official programme breaks
- Access to congress Exhibition
- Name badge
- Final program
- Access to the Exhibition opening & welcome function
Delegate’s accompanying guest: pay the once off fee, ZAR450, for access to the exhibition and to attend the Exhibition opening
- Name badge
- Pay the once off fee, ZAR450, for access to the exhibition and to attend the Exhibition opening & welcome function
- Pay the once off fee, ZAR 690, for access to the SASCRS awards dinner, subject to availability
EXHIBITION
A Commercial Exhibition will be held simultaneously to the Scientific Programmes.
MEALS & DIETARY REQUIREMENTS
- Food and beverages will be served during scheduled lunch and refreshment breaks to all registered attendees (Refer Final Program for details)
- Delegates must indicate their dietary requirements on the registration form.
- Meals not taken cannot be refunded
- Vegetarian, vegan and halaal meals will be available
- Kosher: Delegates must indicate so on the registration form and contact the congress office for details.
- These meals must be ordered from an outside kitchen and a fee will be payable by the delegate
- Meal orders must be placed in writing and paid for by at least 2 weeks prior to the congress
- These meals must be ordered from an outside kitchen and a fee will be payable by the delegate
- Other dietary requirements such as food allergies
- It is the participant’s responsibility to notify the organizers in advance and also the staff at the dining venue/s
- At the dining venue, notify the manager on duty or waiter at their table or banquet manager in order for them to arrange alternatives
MEMBERSHIP
- SASCRS Member – Delegate who is a member of SASCRS and whose fees are paid up
- Non-member: Delegate who is not a registered member of SASCRS or a member whose fees are not paid up
- If you register as a Member and your fees are not paid up, the Registrations Manager will correct your registration amount and charge you accordingly
NAME BADGES
- Name badges will be supplied to all registered participants. These will be available for collection onsite at the Main Congress Registration Desk
- Attendees and Accompanying guests are required to wear the official congress name badges for access to academic sessions and to all official congress events
- Exhibiting Company Representatives are welcome to wear their company name badges as long as the Congress Name Badge is also visible.
OFFICIAL LANGUAGE: English
PASSPORT & VISA
At the point of entry
- A passport is necessary for all visitors.
- Passports must be valid for six months from the visa’s date of entry.
- Your passport must have at least 3x blank pages.
Visa
- Foreign Passport holders must make their own arrangements for their visas prior to departing
- Please check with the immigration or consulate in your country if you require a visa
Children under the age of 18 traveling
- Please take note of the South African regulations and documents required when traveling with Children under the age of 18
- Read the checklist on http://www.drivesouthafrica.co.za/child-visa-checklist/
PAYMENT
Payment of registrations must be made within 7 days of submitting the registration form or invoice date
- Payment must be made in South African Rand (ZAR)
- Pay via BANK OR ELECTRONIC TRANSFER. Funds transfer charges, currency exchange costs must be paid by the registrant
- BANK DETAILS will be printed on the invoice
- Reference: Attendee’s name and surname
PHOTOGRAPHY
- The Organizing Committee, registration staff, Presenters and Journalists may photograph or take video footage of events and exhibitions
- Please inform the Organisers if you do not wish to be photographed
PRIVACY
- Newsletters: From time to time, you may receive information regarding Congresses. You may opt out at any time by returning your email with “unsubscribe” in the subject line
- Contact information will not be shared with parties not participating in this Congress
SOCIAL FUNCTIONS
- Participants are required to book their place at social events, for catering purposes
- Extra tickets for social events will be available for purchase at registration, subject to availability
- Events not attended can’t be refunded
SASCRS awards dinner “LET US ENTERTAIN YOU! ”
An experience designed for your eyes only.
- Sat 14 Feb at The Venue Melrose Arch
- Cost: R650 per person
- Attire: Elegant / Business
Welcome function & opening of the SASCRS 2026 exhibition
- Fri 13 Feb at the SCC level 2, Ballroom, inside the exhibition area
- Welcome function is included in the registration fee
- Accompanying guests: R450 per person
SAFETY
Your safety and wellbeing are our most important concern. As in all large cities, we ask you to be careful and take the usual precautions. Every effort will be made to ensure that your visit will be a happy, safe and memorable experience.
SMOKING
Smoking is only allowed outdoors in designated areas.
SOCIAL EVENTS
Refer Final Program for details
TERMS & CONDITIONS
- By submitting a registration, you agree to all Terms & Conditions
- Please ensure that you have read and understand all terms & conditions, as they will apply
- Please note that each hotel has different Terms and Conditions and you are advised to obtain a quotation before confirming your reservation and paying the non-refundable deposit.
VAT
15% VAT is payable on all products and services.
TERMS & CONDITIONS
All participants are to comply with all rules, regulations and conditions as set out by SASCRS EXCO, Congress Organising Committee and the Hotels / venues.
Infringement of these regulations may lead to immediate closing of a stand, withdrawal of the right to participate in this SASCRS congress and exhibition without compensation or refund of sums already paid, and without prejudice to the participant or exhibitor.
CODE OF CONDUCT
Participants and their staff are required to conduct business and themselves in a manner that is professional and socially acceptable.
- Exhibitors are required to acquaint themselves with the contents of suppliers’ terms and conditions.
- Complaints will be resolved by the Organizing Committee.
- OSSA’s terms and conditions apply. (Obtainable from the OSSA head office)
- Terms and conditions as set out by Sandton Convention Centre, congress hotels and other congress venues apply. (Obtainable from each venue)
COMPLIANCE WITH LAWS
Participants shall comply with all local, laws, statutes, ordinances, regulations and rules applicable to the venue which are in force or applicable during the Congress, including without limitation those relating to health and safety, hygiene and fire hazards.
EXHIBITORS & SPONSORS
All companies must comply with the pharmaceutical and medical device industry codes of practice. Please visit the following websites for guidelines:
- www.ifpma.org Code of Practice guidelines of the International Federation of Pharmaceutical Manufacturers & Associations (IFPMA)
- www.efpia.eu European Federation of Pharmaceutical Industries and Associations (EFPIA)
- www.eucomed.org Europe medical technology industry
- www.advamed.org US-based Advanced medical Technology Organization
- www.phrma.org US-based Pharmaceutical and Research Manufacturers of America
FORCE MAJEURE
SASCRS and the Organisers shall not be liable for the failure to comply with any obligation as a result of any force majeure event which shall include without limitation, acts of God, strikes, lock-outs, acts of war, terrorism, fire, protest, power failure or other natural disasters.
GOVERNING LAW
Terms and regulations shall be governed in all respects by the law of the Republic of South Africa.
INDEMNITY
- The Participant indemnifies and agrees to hold the SASCRS, Organisers, its directors, employees and agents harmless for any damage, loss, death or injury occurring at or about the Congress or in any manner associated therewith
- The Participant agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the SASCRS, Organisers, its employees and agents against any claims or expenses arising out of anything occurring at or about the exhibitor’s stand or in any other manner attributable thereto
INSURANCE, LIABILITIES and SECURITY
- All participants (exhibitors or delegates) and persons using the venues MUST arrange, at their own cost, “all risk” insurance coverage from their country of origin to cover the exhibition stand for the duration of the exhibition period as well as transport time. This insurance coverage should be against injury to persons, fire, theft, damage to or loss of property, medical expenses, accidents, loss, etc
- Participants understand that neither the Organisers nor the SASCRS maintains insurance coverage
- The hotel and SASCRS shall ensure that suitably qualified security personnel are present at the venue during daily conference program times
- Lecture venues will be locked up where possible once the congress activities have closed for the day
- Participants are strongly advised not to leave valuables unattended, nor to leave same in the venues overnight
- Additional stand security may be ordered at a cost payable by exhibiting companies
- It is the EXHIBITOR’S RESPONSIBILITY to be fully covered by insurance and take out “public liability” and “comprehensive” protection
