Industry-Supported Symposium Application

We welcome your interest in hosting an industry-supported symposium in conjunction with the Gerontological Society of America (GSA) 2026 Annual Scientific Meeting. These symposia complement GSA programming and enhance the attendee learning experience at the premier scientific meeting in aging.

An industry-supported symposium offers your organization the opportunity to engage an influential, multidisciplinary audience while:

Connecting with healthcare professionals, researchers, and leaders in aging from the U.S. and around the world
Demonstrating your commitment to improving well-being across the lifespan
Increasing visibility for your clinical, research, academic, ethical, or public policy initiatives among key decision makers in gerontology

Industry-supported symposia are live educational programs developed and supported by external organizations and in conjunction with the GSA Annual Scientific Meeting. GSA does not sponsor or co-sponsor by GSA, but they require GSA prior approval.

Recommended symposium topics include, but are not limited to, Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias, cardiovascular disease, cancer, caregiving, diabetes, mental health, nutrition, obesity, Parkinson’s disease and other movement disorders, preventive medicine, respiratory disease, social isolation, financial security, vaccines, and other issues impacting aging.

Symposium content must be noncommercial, objective, and include full disclosure of any industry-related financial relationships and off-label product discussions.

For more information, contact Jen Pettis, Director of Strategic Alliances, at jpettis@geron.org.

Apply Now

Apply beginning March 1, 2026.
Read our full guidelines, rules, and important information:

Only GSA-approved symposia are permitted.
GSA seeks industry-supported symposium activities that focus on clinical, research, ethical, academic, or public policy issues pertinent to geriatrics and gerontology.
Because gerontology is an interdisciplinary science, GSA strongly encourages applications for symposia that focus on interdisciplinary issues in gerontology or geriatrics and that involve speakers from multiple disciplines.
No additional registration fees may be required of GSA’s registered attendees for attendance at an industry-supported symposium.

All industry-supported symposia must meet the standards and integrity of the meeting:

Any clinical recommendations must be based on adequate supporting evidence that all recommendations are accepted within the healthcare professions.
All scientific research referred to, reported, or used in support or justification of patient care recommendations must conform to the generally accepted standards of experimental design, data collection, and analysis.

The fee of $18,000 per industry supported-symposium includes:

One (1) meeting room with conference-style seating arrangement for 100 people at a conference location, standard podium, and head table for four (4) presenters. Note: Every effort is made to avoid placing competing topics at the same time; however, it is not guaranteed. Estimated attendance is provided as a guideline. Actual attendance may yield a lower or higher number.
Two (2) 6-foot skirted tables and two (2) chairs outside the meeting room (if needed).
Placement of one (1) promotional sign (22" x 28") displayed near main registration.
One (1) e-mail invitation sent by GSA to conference pre-registrants. GSA must approve content.
Symposium event listing in the meeting mobile app and program website (all linking to the supporting organization’s website, if desired).
Up to five (5) symposium-only badges for symposium presenters and staff.

The online application deadline is August 1, 2026. GSA processes applications and schedules events on a first-come, first-served basis. GSA notifies applicants in writing of acceptance of their symposium proposal – with confirmation of assigned date, time slot, and location.

Upon approval and acceptance, GSA will invoice the symposium organizer for the total due; payment is due upon receipt or within 30 days. The symposium must be paid for in full for inclusion in GSA promotional materials.

Industry-supported symposia are scheduled during the times listed below. Sponsoring organizations may request their preferred date and time. GSA retains the right to make final scheduling decisions.

Wednesday, November 4 | 12:00 PM - 1:30 PM
Thursday, November 5 | 12:00 PM – 1:30 PM
Thursday, November 5 | 6:30 PM – 8:00 PM
Friday, November 6 | 12:00 PM – 1:30 PM
Friday, November 6 | 6:30 PM – 8:00 PM
Saturday, November 7 | 12:00 PM – 1:30 PM

The proposed length of the symposium must not exceed the times offered. GSA does not provide a speaker-ready room for the industry-supported symposia speakers.

Registration/Check-in for symposia may open 30 minutes before the approved start time.

Provide lunch or dinner for attendees. All food and beverages must be purchased through the conference facility (contact provided upon approval). Sponsors assume all food and beverage costs and must comply with PhRMA and AdvaMed codes.

Assume the cost for advertising, audiovisual equipment rental, technicians, and any other management-related expenses for the meeting.
Establish a direct-bill application with the conference facility.
Design and distribute symposium invitations.
Provide on-site management of the symposium, including appropriate registration of symposium attendees. GSA does not manage the registration for industry-supported symposia.
CEU/CME credit may be offered to all qualifying participants who attend the symposium. It is the sole responsibility of the sponsoring organization to provide or arrange for CEU/CME credit by an accredited organization.
It is the responsibility of the industry-supported symposia provider to comply with the Food & Drug Administration (FDA) regulations, policies, practices, and guidelines and all other industry guidelines, including the PhRMA Code on Interactions with Healthcare Professionals, concerning the discussion, demonstration, use, and/or display of products, technologies, and/or services during symposia.

Promotion:

All promotional materials, including invitations, digital media, and signage must receive GSA approval before distribution or posting.
Connection to GSA 2026 must be indicated on all promotional materials using the following statement: An industry-supported symposium held in conjunction with the GSA 2026 Annual Scientific Meeting.

Notice of cancellation must be received in writing. Sponsoring organizations will be held responsible for 50% of the symposium fee upon cancellation of a confirmed industry-supported symposium after September 1, 2026.

GSA does not guarantee attendance at symposia and will not refund a sponsor’s fee based on attendance. GSA is not responsible for unsatisfactory outcomes of Industry-supported symposia.

GSA can develop, manage, and execute complete, turnkey industry-supported symposia custom tailored to meet your organization’s needs. Using leading researchers and innovators, GSA creates comprehensive educational activities that provide cutting-edge information on gerontology and geriatrics.

For more information, contact Jen Pettis, Director of Strategic Alliances, at jpettis@geron.org.

Apply Now

Industry-Supported Symposium Application

Apply beginning March 1, 2026. Read our full guidelines, rules, and important information:

Guidelines

Application Fees, Deadlines, & Review Process

Industry-Supported Symposia Schedule

Responsibilities of Sponsoring Organizations

Cancellation Policy

Professional Education Services

Apply beginning March 1, 2026.
Read our full guidelines, rules, and important information: