The location for the 28th International Annual Congress of the World Muscle Society is Charleston, South Carolina, USA.
Charleston is a major port on the Atlantic coast, a historic centre of Southern culture, and the hub of a large urbanised area that includes Mount Pleasant, North Charleston, Hanahan, and Goose Creek. The city is situated on a peninsula between the estuaries of the Ashley and Cooper rivers, facing a fine deepwater harbour. Rich in history and culture, Charleston was the fourth largest and wealthiest city in colonial America.
For our 2023 Congress, we have paid particular attention to inclusion and accessibility. We want to break down the barriers to Congress attendance to people from all over the world.
Accommodation is not included in your registration fee for the congress. HelmsBriscoe has been appointed as the official booking agent for the WMS 2023 Congress in Charleston and will be happy to assist you with your bedroom reservation or other related arrangements. More information here.
The Congress App will be made available to all delegates nearer the congress. You will be able to view the programme schedule, digital posters and audio/video files, sponsor information, participate in session Q&A and polling and connect with other delegates.
In Charleston major credit cards are widely accepted at hotels, stores, cafes and restaurants. It is a good idea always to ask beforehand though. Some places might charge a fee when accepting foreign credit cards as payment. Be sure to bring your PIN code and a picture ID. Banks are open from 09:30 to 17:00 on weekdays, most banks are closed on Saturdays and Sundays. There are numerous cash machines throughout the city.
The WMS provides grants of up to £500 GBP to assist WMS member in-person delegates who have costs associated with the care of themselves or a dependent/s during the congress. More information here.
If you have any problems with the registration process or questions prior to or during the Congress, please contact the Congress Secretariat via e-mail office@worldmusclesociety.org.
The currency in USA is the American Dollar 1 EUR = 1.06 USD
Coins: 1 cent, 5 cents, 10 cents, 25 cents
Notes: $1, $2, $5, $10, $20, $50, $100
For currency converter.
For more information about Charleston, an inspiring city with its well known association for cultural history, we recommend you visit https://www.charlestoncvb.com where you can book tours of the city, discover the many attractions and museums that the city has to offer and find out how to navigate the city.
In USA the power plugs and sockets are of type A and B. The standard voltage is 120 V and the standard frequency is 60 Hz. These are the two thin pin plugs which are different to European and UK plugs. European plugs are not compatible with American electrical sockets. In order to plug in your electric appliances, you will need a plug adapter or a converter.
Visa-exempt foreign nationals need an Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) to fly to or transit through USA. This must be completed before travel.
Please note that WMS is unable to accept registration applications from patient parents/relatives or other members of the public. For full eligibility information please see: https://www.wms2023.com/page/registration
If you need to contact the emergency services (ambulance, fire brigade, police) whilst in the US the number to dial is 911. The closest Emergency Room is at the Centre Pointe Emergency, this can be reached in 3 mins by car.
Address: 5249 Emmett I. Davis Jr. Ave.
North Charleston, SC 29418
Phone: (843) 746-2400
Please see our Frequently Asked Questions page.
A key part of the annual WMS Congress is the networking that takes place whilst experiencing some of the cultural highlights that our host destination has to offer alongside other delegates attending. We have put together a varied selection of group activity options to choose from to suit everyone’s interests.
We hope to have a full exhibition, you will be able to engage with each of them during the breaks. The floor plan will be available on the website and also on the congress app.
Registration fees do not include insurance of any kind. It is strongly recommended to clear all travel and medical insurance issues prior to coming to Charleston. Neither the Congress Secretariat nor the Organising Committee will take any responsibility for any participant of the Congress failing to insure.
If this is your first time attending the WMS Congress, or you are attending on your own and would like to be introduced to other delegates when you arrive, please let us know via email in advance or at the registration desk at the venue. We will be happy to make some introductions so that you feel more comfortable.
There's so much to do in and around Charleston. If you're arriving early or staying on after the Congress and whether you're travelling with family or want to explore alone, you can find a list of local activities and points of interest on our Family Information page.
WMS actively discourages any congress sponsor or other organisation from organising any kind of meeting or event in parallel with the congress programme. Especially if it takes Key Opinion Leaders or any congress attendee away from the congress programme, venue and activities. Any meeting or event which is organised before or after the congress must not be badged in any way as a pre/post WMS event for example, nor any connection be made to attendees being able to attend as part of their WMS itinerary.
To continue our regular virtual meet up's the Myology Café will take place in-person actual at the Congress in October.
The address for Friday evenings Networking Dinner is: CHARLESTON VISITOR CENTER & BUS SHED 375 Meeting St, Charleston, SC 29403
Shuttles will depart from the Congress Centre at 18:00 and will return from the dinner venue to the main hotels starting from 9pm, after the dinner.
Your WMS Congress name badge must be worn at all times during the congress and social activities. It will be required to gain access to the venue and sessions.
There will be an official photographer and videographer present throughout the congress and social activities. Photos & footage will be shared on the WMS social media channels during and after the congress. Photos will be available via the members section of the WMS website after the congress. If you do not wish to be included in any photos or videos please make the organisers, photographer and videographer aware via the registration desk.
The embargo date is the presentation day, e.g. for a late breaking abstract this is the last day of the congress. For general presentations that would be the beginning of the scientific programme for the congress (local time). Media information here.
Opening times of the registration desk will be shared closer to the congress dates.
It is advisable to book restaurant reservations in advance to avoid disappointment. There are some suggestions here: https://www.charlestoncvb.com/plan-your-trip/dining-nightlife~124/ and https://www.charlestoncvb.com/neighborhoods/park-circle/ to get you started.
The 2023 sales tax rate in Charleston is 9%, and consists of 6% South Carolina state sales tax, 1% Charleston County sales tax and 2% special district tax. This will be added to the price on the item you're buying at the checkout so allow for an extra nine cents for every dollar you're spending.
Please note that dedicated WMS shuttles will be provided during the congress dates to help delegates reach the various venues throughout the week. These will only be provided for delegates who book their hotel room/s through this link. Delegates who choose to book another form of accommodation will need to arrange their own transportation. Full details of the schedules for these shuttles will be provided much nearer the time.
WMS has Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn accounts. Posts including photos about the congress and related activities will be posted before, during and after the congress. Social Media information here.
If you have any specific accessibility, disability or mobility requirements, please do let us know as soon as possible.
These are the top rated taxi companies in Charleston. Making a reservation is recommended for all of them. All of them are highly rated for timeliness and professionalism.
Charleston Taxi Service LLC – https://charlestontaxiservice.com/
Charleston Cab Company - https://charlestoncabcompany.com/
Charleston Peninsula Transportation - http://charlestonpeninsulatransportation.com/
The Time Zone in Charleston, South Carolina is UTC/GMT -4 hours. To check the time in Charleston.
Tipping etiquette in USA can be confusing for visitors. Many people struggle to figure out who they are supposed to tip, top amounts, and what to do if they have poor service.
In US, tipping is expected for most service industries. You’ll be considered rude if you don’t tip employees at restaurants, in the hospitality industry, or at hair salons. But a good rule of thumb is to tip at least 18% wherever you go if the service was adequate. Most tip between 15-20% depending on their familiarity with the service staff and their ability to pay. With COVID closing many industries, tipping 20-25% has become more common.
Remember: you always tip on the total cost, not just the pre-tax amount.
For Travel information please visit: https://www.hilton.com/en/hotels/chsemes-embassy-suites-charleston-airport-hotel-and-convention-center/hotel-location/
Shuttle busses & airport transfers: https://www.iflychs.com/HotelShuttle
More information on what to expect from the virtual platform will be shared closer to the congress dates.
If you are visiting the USA from another country, you will need an ESTA (Electronic System for Travel Authorisation). You can visit the USA for up to 90 days for business or leisure with an ESTA. Please make sure you apply for your ESTA in plenty of time. If you need an invitation letter, please contact the Registration Manager if you didn't request one during the registration process.
Official visa information provided by the US Government.
When completing your ESTA, you will be asked to provide the details of your host while you're in the USA. Please use the following details:
Kate Maccoy | Director of Operations + Programs, Destination South Meetings + Events
Tel: 854.900.2123 | Email: kate@destinationsouth.com | Address: 1514 Mathis Ferry Road, Suite 201 Mt. Pleasant, SC 29464 | Website: www.destinationsouth.com
Please see our venue information.
October is one of the best months of the year to visit Charleston. It is expected most days in October to bring warm, sunny weather, with average highs in the upper 70s Farenheit/ high 20°C, rising well into the 80s Farenheit/ 30°C on the hottest days. Consult the weather forecast immediately before traveling to see how hot it is likely to be during your visit. October is also hurricane season in Charleston.
We will have a dedicated quiet space which we are calling our Quiet Room in Room 4, on the second floor of the Congress Centre (it will be signposted in the venue) where you can take some quiet time to reground before returning to the congress activities. More information here.
