The new app’s capabilities include the ability to submit questions to session chairs, which has the potential to influence how the audience interacts with presenters, Harris suggests. “If you want to ask something that you think might be a little bit controversial, you can do that anonymously,” he explains; “We’re hoping that may encourage some of the students and people who might be a little intimidated to shout out a question in front of everyone to ask questions as well.”
Conference organizers expect the new technology to help ensure that conference goers will make it to sessions they particularly want to attend, even if the schedule changes. Users of the app can choose to receive push notifications such as reminders that a session is about to start, what session is coming up next, or notices that the meeting is running late. Keeping the meeting running on time is also a priority, and this year, session chairs will have access to presenters’ slides on an iPad, allowing them to better manage the timing of presentations.
One other logistical change in response to feedback from previous meetings involves the layout of the exhibition hall. “The distribution of posters and exhibitors will be improved to manage people flow, and we’re going to make sure there are no exhibitors tucked away in any corners,” Haywood says.
Two distinguished speakers will present talks looking to the future of inhaled medicine. The 2014 DDL Lecture, titled “Inhaled Drug Formulation – The Past, Present and Future” will be presented by Peter Stewart, Emeritus Professor of Pharmaceutics, Monash University, at the beginning of the afternoon session on December 10, and the final day of the conference will begin with a talk by Professor Neil Barnes of GlaxoSmithKline and The London School of Medicine and Dentistry titled, “On the Future Development in Respiratory Therapy.”
On the afternoon of Thursday, December 11, the future of inhaled drug delivery in the form of finalists for the Pat Burnell New Investigator Award will take the podium to deliver their talks. According to Haywood, the committee received a record number of submissions this year, making selection of the finalists even more difficult than usual.
The remaining conference themes include:
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Devices and Technology
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Regulatory and Emerging Markets
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Pharmaceutical Development
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Respiratory Disease and Biology
As always, numerous networking opportunities will take place in addition to the Silver Jubilee dinner. On Wednesday and Thursday, attendees can take advantage of networking lunches in the exhibit hall, and a drinks reception sponsored by Vectura will end the day on Wednesday.
