2023 HYBRID IRB CONFERENCE - July 27, 2023

Join NWABR and its conference partners, WCG IRB and Advarra, as we host our annual IRB Conference on July 27, 2023.  This conference will be presented on a Hybrid basis.  The Hybrid event allows for both In-Person and Virtual attendance.  To encourage In-Person attendance and the resumption of Networking Opportunities NWABR will be providing food and refreshments during the day. This will include Breakfast, Lunch and a Hosted Happy Hour!

The Conference is being hosted at the Lynnwood Convention Center in Lynnwood WA.  More details about this venue, parking, and accommodation options are included below.

The theme for this conference is Back to Normal? Best practices in Human Participants Research:  Co-impacts of technology and the pandemic.  Conference speakers will address Technology, Research Practices, and Ethics.

The following is the program for the conference. Please note timing of session and some session topics titles may still be adjusted slightly:

Registration is Closed

WHO SHOULD ATTEND THE 2023 IRB Conference?

• IRB chairs, members, administrators, and staff
• Medical doctors, registered nurses and other staff involved in clinical research
• Regulatory affairs and compliance/oversight personnel
• Scientists and ethicists
• Sponsors and contract research organization staff involved in developing, managing or administering informed consent

Registration is Closed

THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSOR PARTNERS   

WCG provides the highest quality ethical reviews of clinical research protocols and studies. WCG was created by combining five IRBs with different areas of expertise and geographical reach – Western IRB (WIRB), the world’s first independent ethical review board, Copernicus Group IRB, New England IRB, Aspire IRB, and Midlands IRB. WCG has more than 50 years’ experience and more than 200 members on AAHRPP-accredited boards. Since 2000, WCG has also provided IBC administration and review services to nearly 800 institutions and evaluated more than 400 human gene transfer protocols. For more information, please visit www.wcgclinical.com or follow us on Twitter @WCGClinical or LinkedIn.

Advarra advances the way clinical research is conducted: bringing life sciences companies, CROs, research sites, investigators, and academia together at the intersection of safety, technology, and collaboration. With trusted IRB and IBC review solutions, innovative technologies, experienced consultants, and deep-seated connections across the industry, Advarra provides integrated solutions that safeguard trial participants, empower clinical sites, ensure compliance, and optimize research performance. Advarra is advancing clinical trials to make them safer, smarter, and faster. For more information, visit www.advarra.com.

Accreditation

NWABR will apply/has been approved for the following CE credits:

• The CIP Council has approved up to 9.5 hours of CIP Recertification Credits for attendance at this conference.  Please note, the following two conference sessions are not eligible for credit: SBER Breakout; and Chair’s Breakout Session.
• Please Note: The Association of Clinical Research Professionals advised NWABR (on July 27, 2023) that they have changed their policy and will no longer be pre-approving third party events/submissions for ACRP contact hours. ACRP let us know that attendees are always welcome to self-report events they attended according to their maintenance requirements for their ACRP certification. Attendees can check the ACRP website to verify if the content/sessions are acceptable for their maintenance.  Stay Certified - ACRP (acrpnet.org).
• The Society of Clinical Research Associates (SOCRA - www.SOCRA.org) accepts documentation of candidate participation in continuing education programs for recertification if the program is applicable to clinical research regulations, operations or management, or to the candidate’s clinical research therapeutic area. This program offers 8.5 hours of CE credit.
• The WA State Bar Association approved this conference for 1.5 hours of Law and Legal MCLE credits; 4 hours of Other MCLE Credits, and 3 hours of Ethics MCLE Credits.

Sponsors and Vendors

Additional Sponsors and Vendors are welcome for this conference.  Potential sponsors are encouraged to contact Mr. Ken Gordon for more information. Sponsorship support is key to the successful provision of these events:

If you are also interested in sponsoring the IRB Conference or being a Vendor for the event please contact Ken Gordon at (206) 957-3337.

Coronavirus precautions  

At the conference registration desk we will ask that you confirm vaccination status or confirm a recent Coronavirus infection.  We are also recommending masking, although this is not mandatory.  We are also encouraging attendees to test prior to leaving their accommodation on the day of the event.  The actual conference venue is a large ballroom with plenty of space for distancing if this is important for you.  Tables will be limited to a max of 4 people each.

Conference Venue, Travel, Accommodation and Parking

Conference Venue

The Conference is being hosted at the Lynnwood Convention/Events Center (LCC).  The address of the LCC is:

• The Lynnwood Convention/Events Center, 3711 196th St SW, Lynnwood, WA 98036

Conference Hotel

NWABR has arranged an accommodation block at the Hampton Inn & Suites North/Lynnwood.  The hotel details and booking link are included below.  The Hampton Inn & Suites North/Lynnwood is approximately 1 mile from the Lynnwood Convention/Events Center.

Hotel Address: 19324 Alderwood Mall Parkway, Lynnwood, WA 98036

Hotel Main Phone Number: (425) 771-1888

Booking Link: NWABR / Northwest Association for Biomedical Research Group Block Online Booking Link - July 26-28, 2023

Reservations must be received by Monday, June 26, 2023. After this date all rooms not assigned will be made available to the general public. Group reservations may be extended at the prevailing rate at the time of the reservation, not the contracted group rate, based on availability.

Parking

There is plentiful free parking at the LCC.  Parking for attendees booked in the HGI is also free.

Getting to Lynnwood

Seattle–Tacoma International Airport (SeaTac) is the primary commercial airport serving the Seattle metropolitan area.  The Lynnwood Convention Center and the conference hotel are approximately 30 miles North from SeaTac.  Depending on traffic this is approximately a 45 - 90 minute car ride.  The best and fastest way to get to Lynnwood is to take the Light Rail from Seattle to Northgate, and then take a Taxi or Ride Share to the LCC or the conference hotel (approximately 10 miles).

Airport Taxi and Ride Share

A taxi between SeaTAC and the venues is approximately $60 - $85 one-way (ride sharing may be less depending on provider). Upon your arrival at the airport, follow the signs for taxi and ride-share pick-up locations. In heavy traffic Taxis can be more expensive.

Airport Shuttle

Airport Shuttle services, and other shared ride services, are still limited due to COVID-19 precautions.  Shuttle Express does offer a private car service between Seatac, the venue and/or the conference hotel.  This service depending on the time of day can be fairly expensive.

Driving Directions 

To Hampton Inn & Suites North/Lynnwood :

From SeaTac Airport, follow signs to all freeways. Take I-5 North for 27 miles, through Seattle. Take Exit 181-B, to Alderwood Mall Parkway to your destination (0.6miles) at 19324 Alderwood Mall Pkwy, Lynnwood, WA 98036 

To Lynnwood Convention Center:

From SeaTac Airport, follow signs to all freeways.  Take I-5 North for 27 miles, through Seattle. Take Exit 181-B (Alderwood Mall), take left onto Poplar Way (first light), take left onto 196th Street.  Drive West over the freeway one block to the Convention Center on the right.