The following guidelines must be followed in order to qualify for the consideration of the World Society for Reconstructive Microsurgery endorsement. A formal request must be submitted addressing the guidelines stated and your qualifications. The World Society for Reconstructive Microsurgery holds the right to revoke endorsement at any time. A WSRM endorsed meeting or workshop may display the WSRM logo and name as an endorser on all printed and electronic marketing material. All marketing material that includes the WSRM name or logo must be reviewed and approved by the WSRM. The WSRM WILL NOT endorse a meeting within the same region within one year of the biennial congress. The WSRM will ONLY endorse national meetings.
The Meeting and Workshop Endorsement Guidelines are as follows:
Meetings:
- The meeting should be under the auspices or approved by the National Society of that country.
- The meeting should be established (not a one-time only event).
- The official language should provide accessibility to international participants to follow the activities of the meeting.
- The meeting should have clear and specific objectives, which are not directed by an individual sponsor (i.e. product- specific meetings).
- Any sponsors should understand that they are promoting a microsurgery meeting, and open and direct promotion would be discouraged. (Although an appropriate sponsor acknowledgment would be given).
- There should be a minimum of 4 international speakers from outside the host country to be involved in the meeting.
- The detailed program should be submitted for endorsement in advance (4-5 months).
- The Host or Chairman must be an active dues paying member of the World Society for Reconstructive Microsurgery.
- The WSRM must be allowed and given sufficient time to give a presentation to the meeting attendees.
Workshops:
- Workshops should be a course to teach practical skills
- They must have close supervision on a relatively small number of delegates (i.e. about 1 to 4 ratio)
- The major language must be indicated when advertising the workshop
- There must be at least one tutor from another country, other than the host country
- The workshop should not be product-specific or arranged/supervised by a company
- A detailed program should be submitted for endorsement in advance (4 months)
- The program of the workshop has to include some lectures and at least 2 lecturers must be from outside the organizing country.
- The Host or Chairman must be an active dues paying member of the World Society for Reconstructive Microsurgery
- The WSRM must be allowed and given sufficient time to give a presentation to the meeting attendees.
Upon acceptance, the meeting organizer will receive a specimen evaluation form for their meeting, to be filled in by all participants and returned to the organizer on receipt of the certificate at the end of the course/meeting/workshop. The organizer should prepare a short report from the results and submit the report and the results to the Secretary General of WSRM within a time limit (i.e. 3 months). The organizers will be able to indicate WSRM endorsement on their certificate and program. It should be made clear that the certificate is for attendance, not competence, particularly for workshop participation.
WSRM-PRESYMPOSIUM:
- Must be organized jointly with WSRM in its content and speakers.
- If there is a separate registration fee, 20% of gross collected fee with be donated to WSRM.
- If there is no separate registration fee, $2000 will be donated to WSRM unless negotiated in advance.
(Revised on 2/2020)
Hosting Endorsement Guidelines
Hosting a Congress of the World Society for Reconstructive Microsurgery (WSRM)
Introduction
The World Society for Reconstructive Microsurgery (WSRM) is aimed “to stimulate and advance knowledge of the science and art of Microsurgery” and aims to “provide an international forum for the exchange of ideas.” The WSRM Congress brings together practitioners and scientists to build and develop thriving scientific societies, health care agencies and academic institutions in all parts of the world and to integrate their knowledge toward a common language of accepted standards and practice in reconstructive microsurgery. During the WSRM Congress, members of the international microsurgery community have the opportunity to share and learn about new research and best practices in the field.
The organization of a meeting of the caliber of WSRM is a major endeavor. After the efforts involved in organizing the past meetings of WSRM, it has become quite clear that the close collaboration between the President and Management of the Society and the Organizing Committee is of paramount importance for the success of any future Congress. The President of WSRM along with the Executive Council are those ultimately responsible for the outcome of WSRM and its' meeting. As such, it is imperative that the President, Management Staff and the Executive Council are not only fully apprised of all aspects (scientific, financial, speakers, exhibits, etc) regarding the Congress organization, but are also fully involved in the decision making process.
WSRM was created by the merging of two international societies, the IMS and ISRM, in 1999 The first Congress was in 2001 in Taipei. Since then WSRM Congresses have been hosted in the following locations:
| Year |
President |
Chair |
Venue |
| 2001 |
V Meyer |
FC Wei |
Taipei, Taiwan |
| 2003 |
FC Wei |
G Germann
H Steinau |
Heidelberg, Germany |
| 2005 |
W Morrison |
G Loda |
Buenos Aires, Argentina |
| 2007 |
J Terzis |
A Beris
PN Soucacos
C Vlastou |
Athens, Greece |
| 2009 |
B Strauch |
K Doi
I Koshima |
Okinawa, Japan |
| 2011 |
PN Soucacos |
E Tukiainen |
Helsinki, Finland |
| 2013 |
Kazuteru Doi |
Robert Walton |
Chicago, Illinois, USA |
| 2015 |
L. Scott Levin |
Raja Sabapathy |
Mumbai, India |
| 2017 |
David C. C. Chuang |
Myong Chul Park
Joon Pio Hong |
Seoul, Korea |
| 2019 |
Isao Koshima |
Giorgio DeSantis |
Bologna, Italy |
| 2021 |
Rescheduled due to COVID |
| 2022 |
David W. Chang |
Eric Santamaria |
Cancun, Mexico |
| 2023 |
Robert L. Walton |
Ong Yee Siang |
Singapore |
| 2025 |
Gregory R. D. Evans |
Jaume Masia |
Barcelona, Spain |
Bidding for a WSRM Congress
A “bid” is defined as an invitation to hold an international WSRM Congress in your country. The Organizing Committee Chair will be responsible for the management of the Congress if the bid is successful. It is important that the local societies (microsurgery, hand, and plastic, orthopaedic), the professional Congress organizer (PCO), and local authorities work together in harmony unifying their efforts and strengths in order to achieve the common goal. Bidding for a WSRM Congress to be held in your country requires commitment and effort by all parties involved in the process and warrants a dedicated course of action. The energy, hard work and costs related to it are very often underestimated and it is vital that the parties which make up the “bid team” take their responsibilities seriously in order to mount a successful bid submission.
Congress Model
Congress Format
WSRM has established the WSRM Congress as a biennial event. Each WSRM Congress shall offer three days of plenary sessions, podium lectures and symposia and poster session on all aspects of reconstructive microsurgery, featuring both invited speakers and presenters selected from among submitted abstracts. Other abstract submissions shall be selected for presentation in the poster session. As an international society, WSRM welcomes the informed contributions of reconstructive microsurgeons representing every country and culture.
Business Meetings
The WSRM Congress also includes meetings of the Executive Council. It may include meetings of the National Liaisons, and potentially others. These shall be held in conjunction with and some may be included as part of the Congress budget.
Administrative and Scientific Responsibilities
The WSRM Congress is organized under the auspices of the WSRM Executive Council. The Organizing Committee Chair assumes responsibility for the organization of the conference, abstracts, posters, registration, exhibits, website for the meeting and logistics in collaboration with the WSRM President and Executive Council. The local Organizing Committee Chair is charged with overall logistical responsibilities, and is expected to participate in teleconference and in-person meetings with the Executive Council so as to keep the President and Executive Council engaged and updated. The Scientific Committee is comprised of members from the Host Country, President, President-Elect, two previous Organizing Committee Chair as well as International Members.
The Proposal to Host a WSRM Congress shall designate the proposed Chair of the Organizing Committee, and the proposed Chair of the Scientific Committee (from the Host Country) as well as the proposed co-Chair of the Scientific Committee (preferably from the Executive Council). The proposed Chair of the Organizing Committee, once approved by the Executive Council of WSRM, will be invited to sit on the Executive Council as an ex-officiononvoting member for the duration of the Congress planning period.
Benefits to and Responsibilities of the Local Host Organization
The Host organization shall benefit from global visibility and recognition as a key global player in the development of reconstructive microsurgery. The Organizing Committee Chair shall be responsible for the following:
- Recruit and select members of the local scientific and advisory committees (with national and international representation as appropriate)
- Develop relationships with potential co-sponsors/supporters (local, regional, national and international)
- Develop and secure funding – funding sources shall be outlined in the planned proposal to indicate relationships which will be leveraged to ensure a financially successful Congress
- Develop a proposed WSRM Congress budget and submit to WSRM Executive Council for approval no later than 18 months prior to the planned Congress, which includes a projected surplus
- The budget shall include a line item for the WSRM President which includes their upgraded housing for the Congress, as well as expenses incurred for the President and their Spouse/Guest to attend any social events
- The budget shall include a line item for the WSRM Management staff which includes their housing for the Congress as well as their reimbursable travel expenses.
- The budget should be constructed so as to project a surplus at the end of the Congress
- Manage local bank account deposits and disbursements pre- and post-conference
- Provide quarterly financial updates with comparisons to budget to the WSRM Executive Council as part of regular Executive Council Calls so that there is full transparency of finances
- Select venue(s) and hotel(s) for Academy/Congress and special event(s)
- Create the format for the Congress schedule, which shall be submitted to the WSRM Executive Council no later than 18 months prior to the planned Congress
- Create and implement a detailed marketing plan with target dates. Said marketing plan shall be provided to the WSRM Executive Council no later than 18 months prior to the planned Congress
- Create theme, logo ideas and objectives for the Congress, to be submitted to the WSRM Executive Council for approval
- Recruit session coordinators and speakers, with input and approval of WSRM Executive Council.
- All session coordinators shall be identified no later than 12 months prior the planned Congress.
- All speakers shall be invited no later than 9 months prior to the planned Congress
- As part of the Budget, suggest pricing for Congress, to be approved by the WSRM Executive Council
- As part of the Budget, suggest the registration cancellation/refund policies to be approved by the WSRM Executive Council
- Be responsible for on-site insurance policies and indemnities
- Identify abstract reviewers with input and recommendations to be made by the WSRM President and Executive Council
- Direct abstract review and session placement. Abstracts shall be selected and invitations issued for papers and posters no later than 6 months prior to the planned Congress.
- *Place abstracts in program schedule/grid, to be approved by the WSRM Executive Council
- *Oversee food and beverage logistics for the Congress and planned social events. All food and beverage shall be included as line items in the Congress Budget
- *Find local vendor(s) for production of signage, photocopies and other printed materials
- Handle local arrangements and provide onsite support staff
Financial Requirements
The Congress Organizer is required to Congress remit 20% of all registration fees collected to the WSRM . The mandate of remitting 20% is not dependent on the financial outcome of the meeting. In addition to 20% of the registration fee, is the Congress Organizer is required to remit 20% of meeting revenue if a profit is realized.
Application and Selection Process
Expression of Interest
Ideal prospective Hosts for WSRM Congresses shall meet all of the following criteria:
- be a non-profit, non-governmental organization recognized by the establishing authority of the respective country or region
- be multidisciplinary in philosophy and governance (e.g. include microsurgery, plastic, hand, orthopaedic surgery entities)
- have individual professional members who practice reconstructive microsurgery
- sponsor education opportunities with specific emphasis in microsurgery
Organizations interested in hosting a WSRM Congress should send a formal Expression of Interest letter to:
WSRM Central Office
Aurelie M. Alger, JD, Supervising Director
Aviana Fiore, Executive Director
500 Cummings Center
Suite 4400
Beverly, MA 01915
(978) 927-8330
Aalger@prri.com
Afiore@prri.com
This letter must be signed by the proposed Chair of the prospective host organization, as well as the Presidents of the local societies (Reconstructive Microsurgery, Plastic, and Hand, in accordance with their support)
Prospective host organizations and/or their representatives shall include in their Expression of Interest all information that they deem relevant, including (but not limited to) the following:
- The name of the proposed host organization and letters indicating institutional support;
- Letters of support from other microsurgery organizations in the country;
- Letters from relevant authorities ensuring top level support of government and health authorities and assurance that all bone fide participants shall be granted visas;
- Proposed financial commitment (in terms of fundraising support of the conference);
- Indication of proposed dates and location, with possible alternatives;
- Names and contact information for convention and destination venues with which WSRM shall negotiate directly, indicating any previous experience in working with these venues;
- Guarantee that financial assistance shall be provided to the President, President-Elect and Management staff attending the WSRM site selection visit and meetings, which shall be arranged by the host society at a date and time convenient for those attending.
Expression of Interest Review Criteria
Expressions of interest shall be considered by the WSRM Executive Council, which may select proposals for further presentation by the prospective host organizations. The criteria for selection include, but are not limited to, the following:
- Professional Congress Organizer (PCO) should be identified that has ample experience in organizing international Congresses of high caliber and has demonstrated fundraising capabilities
- Congress venue must have capacity for opening/closing plenary of 1,000 delegates, theatre or classroom style (all in one room);
- Exhibition hall must be large enough to accommodate posters, 20 exhibitors, breakfasts and coffee breaks – breakfast and coffee breaks must be held in the Exhibition hall so as to allow interaction with industry supporters;
- Congress venue must have 3 concurrent session rooms for each of 3 days (spacious enough to accommodate 300+ people each);
- A staff office to be used by the PCO and WSRM Management Staff for the duration of the Congress (plus at least 2 days prior to the first day of the meeting);
- A space for the WSRM to have a display, membership materials, and other relevant items within close proximity to the registration area and/or the Exhibit hall.
- Congress venue must have several breakout rooms for Business meetings, Council Meetings, Speaker Ready (Preview) rooms etc.;
- Site must have convenient hotel rooms, transportation, and accessibility (850 hotel rooms in a variety of price ranges);
- Congress venue, hotels and transportation must have accessibility for people with restricted mobility (wheelchair);
- Country’s visitor visa requirements must be considered, including the cost of a visa and any restrictions that might limit Congress attendance;
- Relevant costs of Congress venue and major suppliers must be considered (e.g., catering, audio visuals, meeting room rental, printing costs, rental costs for poster boards, comparative costs of hotel rooms, etc.);
- Host country must be politically and socially stable;
- Host organization must be able to support and assist in the organization of a successful Congress; and
- Destination’s tourism and convention appeal and attractiveness of proposal must be considered.
Some other questions to consider at the time of application
- How will you organize the hotel accommodation booking for delegates?
- What is your plan for the banking structure?
- How will delegates from around the world access the proposed site? E.g. describe plane, train and local transport details.
- What finances can your society offer to underwrite the Congress?
- Please set out your plans for obtaining travel awards for scholarship recipients?
- Minimum estimated financial support return to the WSRM? Congresses are expected to provide a financial return of 20% registration income and an additional 20% profit to the WSRM.
Final Congress Venue Selection
Once the WSRM Executive Council has reviewed an Expression of Interest, the Executive Council may invite the host organization to submit a formal bid with a presentation at the next planned WSRM Congress or Executive Council Meeting.
- The decision on the location of the WSRM Congress is made by the WSRM Executive Council
- If the Executive Council feels that multiple proposals are favorable, it reserves the right to propose that some of the bidders be considered for a future Congress.
- The selected venues shall be requested to submit bids and the best offers shall be considered.
- The host country for each Congress shall be announced by the WSRM Executive Council when selection is made.
- A formal site visit shall be conducted approximately one year prior the next planned WSRM Congress.
Supplement
There are a multitude of pivotal factors involved in hosting a WSRM meeting. Any potential bidders are expected to have the full backing and support of the local microsurgery society, and also the combined support of the Plastic, Orthopaedic and Hand Surgery Societies in the country and region.
Concerns & Issues Regarding WSRM Congress Organization
Qualifications of a Host
- Must be an identifiable group that represents a country.
- At least one letter supporting the invitation from an organization in the country (i.e. micro society, hand society) must accompany the application.
- Must have financial capability to run a profitable Congress.
- Should have a history of previous organization of a major Congress.
- Must propose in writing four years prior to the planned Congress
- Should give an oral presentation at WSRM Council Meeting at least four years prior to the proposed Congress.
Requirements and Commitments of Organizing Committee Chair
The following are required to be communicated by the Organizing Committee Chair to the Council in the time frame noted. The failure to meet these requirements and deadlines may result in the loss of hosting the WSRM meeting.
1. Communication
It is of utmost importance that there is close collaboration between the President of the Society and the Organizing Committee; this is of paramount importance for the success of the Congress. The President of WSRM along with the Executive Council are those who are perceived as responsible for the outcome of WSRM and its' meeting. As such, it is imperative that the President is fully apprised of all aspects (scientific, financial, speakers, exhibits, etc) regarding the Congress organization.
2. Professional Congress Organizer
A professional Congress organizer (PCO) is to be identified appointed that has ample experience in organizing international Congresses of this nature. The PCO shall not be contracted until the bid is awarded and the WSRM Executive and Management Staff has the opportunity to interview and approve said PCO.
3. Hotels
- What are the proposed hotels and prices?
4. Social Program
The WSRM meetings, like all scientific Congresses of this caliber, not only serve as an event to exchange scientific ideas and knowledge, but more importantly provide the opportunity for microsurgeons and scientists to intermingle, communicate, socialize and broaden their scientific connections / collaborations. The social program should be designed to favor this.
Please include in the proposal what is planned for the Opening Ceremony, Presidential Dinner, Banquet, Closing Ceremony
5. Audiovisual Support
High quality audiovisual support is essential for a high caliber meeting. This will allow for good timing of presentations, without complications, and good visualization of what the speakers are trying to depict.
6. Accompanying Persons Program and Pre & Post- Congress Tours
Your PCO should propose pre & post-Congress tours for delegates to select if they so choose. A simple accompanying persons program may be offered at a relatively low cost, which will allow these guests to enjoy the local attractions.
15. Abstracts
Abstracts shall be available online for viewing on the Congress Website as well as in the Mobile App.
16. Contract
It is required that a contract be held between the selected Organizing Committee Chair and the WSRM confirming meeting dates and commitment terms. The Organizing Committee Chair must sign this agreement at the time of selection. The Council has the ability to transfer Organizing Committee Chair responsibilities if the Council deems necessary.
Updated 05/2025
