My Conference Experience: Behind the Scenes with ACGME Registration Manager Andrea Rio
Andrea Rio’s name – or maybe her e-mail address – is probably very familiar to anyone who’s ever attended any ACGME educational program. Her integral role in the Annual Educational Conference, however, is much more than processing registrations and payments and making sure badges print correctly! As a key member of the ACGME’s Educational Activities team, she is central to the growth and success of the conference. We asked her to share a bit more about what she does and what the conference experience is like for her behind the scenes.
Q: What’s your role at the ACGME and for the Conference?
A: I design, develop, and implement web-based registration systems for 10 workshops and the ACGME Annual Educational Conference. I manage these events’ website content for our team, coordinating with the ACGME editorial and web teams. I also manage our event-specific registration e-mail boxes, answering registrants questions and helping them resolve any registration-related issues.
Q: How long have you been with the ACGME and involved with the Annual Educational Conference?
A: I have been with the ACGME for five-and-a-half years. This year was my sixth Annual Educational Conference.
Q: When do you begin preparing for the Annual Educational Conference?
A: I usually start a week or two after I come back from the conference. I immediately look for ways to improve the current conference registration to make it easier for attendees to register.
Q: What’s the hardest part of your job?
A: The hardest part of my job is getting our attendees to read the Conference Brochure and pre-select sessions that best fit their role in GME.
Q: What’s the best and most rewarding part of your job?
A: As much as it can be a challenge to get attendees to read the Brochure, I really enjoy helping them at the conference. Most of our attendees are really happy to be attending the conference, and any suggestions or assistance that I provide is always greatly appreciated, which is satisfying and rewarding.
Q: What’s an average day like for you when you are finally at the conference?
A: Typically, I arrive at Registration by 6:15 a.m. to grab coffee and get ready for the long day. I am at the Information booth for about 12 hours, and answer all kinds of questions from attendees. Most of their questions are related directly to their registration or CME. But I also help attendees download the Conference Mobile App and show them how to navigate it to access lists of sessions and PowerPoint presentations.
Q: You said you get started on improvements for next year within a week or two of the Conference. What would you like to see change at the conference relative to your role for next year?
A: I would like to be able to have our conference attendees check in more quickly and easily. There will many changes on-site for the 2019 Annual Educational Conference!
Q: And while we already know you get right to work on the next year’s conference without missing a beat, what do you do after a conference is over?
A: Oh, you know, try to relax maybe just a little bit. :)