The XVIIth International AIDS Conference (AIDS 2008) will be held in Mexico City from August 3rd to 8th 2008, at the Banamex Centre. Click here to visit their website.

For August 1st and 2nd, the two days leading up to the conference, there will be an international symposium on children affected by HIV and AIDS, called Children and HIV/AIDS: Action Now, Action How. This Symposium is being co-organized by the Coalition on Children Affected by AIDS, and The Teresa Group and La Casa de la sal, two NGOs working with children and families affected by HIV/AIDS in Toronto and Mexico City respectively. It will bring together 450 of the world's leading professionals working with children affected by HIV/AIDS.

Key Information about the International AIDS Conference:

• Held every 2 years, this is the world’s largest conference on HIV/AIDS and it brings together scientists, politicians, activists and civil society leaders, including people living with HIV/AIDS. The International AIDS Society, the custodian of the conference, is co-organizing this conference in partnership with UNAIDS, Global Network of People Living with HIV/AIDS, The International Council of AIDS Service Organizations, The International Community of Women Living with HIV/AIDS & The Canadian AIDS Society. It is supported by a local committee in the host country, and major conference decisions are made by a volunteer Conference Coordinating Committee (CCC). The CCC brings together representatives from committees representing three streams for the conference – Scientific, Community & Leadership.
• The conference attracts over 20,000 delegates from around the world.
• In addition to concurrent sessions (abstract, non-abstract and skills-building), there are morning plenary sessions, evening satellites, affiliated events, a Global Village (where registered delegates and the general public can mingle and where additional sessions will be held), and a cultural program.
• Registration is NOT waived or reduced for conference presenters.
• Scholarships will be awarded.

Top tips for getting the most out of the AIDS Conference

- (Thanks to International HIV/AIDS Alliance for compiling this list).

1. Define what it is that you want to get out of the conference and then focus on that….networking opportunities, learn more information about treatment, fundraise and meet funders etc. Do not try and attend everything or do everything.

2. Review the program in advance, sit with other colleagues and identify sessions that are important to the organizations work and for personal development. Then select sessions, review abstracts and decide on who is attending what.

3. Morning plenary sessions are a must as is the closing session.

4. Attend at least one session as a "treat session" - something which you would never usually attend, but something that may be of interest, fulfill the spirit, expand an area of interest…the session should not be too daunting or intimidating or it defeats the purpose. Skills building sessions are great for this, or even global village sessions…

5. Abstract sessions are usually broken down between times, e.g. 10h10 for abstract 1, 10h25 for abstract 2, and so on. This is great way to go between sessions if you want to listen to different abstracts…but be warned, that this does not always happen this way and conference session rooms could be far apart.

6. It should be possible to draft notes on sessions attended and share this after the conference. Remember that although there are "rapporteur sessions" they do not cover sessions in great detail. Having your notes will make report backs easier, but also refresh issues sufficiently for your own purposes.

7. Have check-in meetings at 'relaxing places' - PLHIV Lounge (restricted to people living with HIV/AIDS), or the Global Village. These can happen every day, or every second day. Meetings should not be formal, but rather simple things like having lunch or coffee together. This should of course not be a pre-requisite, as conferences are also a great place to meet new people.

8. Try not to get to everything…instead follow a theme - and pick a good mix of abstract, satellite and community stuff on that theme.

9. Attend satellites of interest, but also those that offer food - it is a great way to keep up the nourishment, and usually attend an interesting satellite. Some of the satellites now provide meal boxes.

10. If there is a choice, get the CD Rom versus the abstract book -- it's lighter to carry. However, it may be helpful though if there is one abstract book in your delegation, because it makes for easier on-the-spot reference.

11. There is LOADS of information at the exhibition centre, NGO Village and Global Village. Put everything together and fed-ex it back home…is often cheaper than having to pay excess luggage!

12. Business Cards are an important aspect of conferencing…a tip is to have business cards printed with your photo on it…makes it easier for people to remember you, but this is not always possible, so whenever you get a business card, write a few key words on the back, what was discussed, areas of interest, follow up etc.

13. If there's a choice between a poster and an oral session, remember that posters will all be on conference CD.

14. Support colleagues and allies in their presentations…it makes a big difference for the presenter to know that there is a friendly face in the audience!

15. Have fun…