The ACGME Annual Educational Conference provides a wide range of educational sessions, activities, tools and resources, and more. Outside of educational content, the Orlando area offers plenty to keep you busy when your day winds down. Another great opportunity facilitated by the conference is the chance to build your professional network. Next March 7-9, thousands of GME professionals – from coordinators to faculty members, program directors, designated institutional officials, residents and fellows, and others – will come together in Orlando for three days of learning and connecting. This valuable occasion allows attendees to maximize their time at the conference for both personal and professional growth and inspiration. The conference brings the GME community together, fostering opportunities to share experiences and information and make new and lasting contacts. Here’s a quick snapshot of some of what’s planned to support your networking at the conference.
Once you check in at Registration, don’t forget to peruse the Conversational Ribbon Board to personalize your badge with a variety of options of personal and professional identifiers that will help you strike up conversations and connect with peers throughout the conference. And you can take networking an important step further by connecting with a mentor and/or mentee at the conference. If this appeals to you, be sure to grab a “Happy to Be Your Mentor” or “Will You Be My Mentor?” badge ribbon. Areas will be designated in the Career Resources Area in the Exhibit Hall for mentors and mentees to meet.
After Full-Day Courses conclude on Thursday evening, the Marvin R. Dunn Welcoming Poster Reception and Exhibitor Kick-Off will set a celebratory and social tone to the conference. The Exhibit Hall will feature a range of vendors offering the latest information on technology and educational software, simulation technology, patient management solutions, and more. A Career Resources Area will offer opportunities to refine your resume or CV, connect with GME recruiters, and get an updated professional headshot. More than 70 posters on display will highlight the latest research and innovations in GME, and poster authors will be on hand to discuss their research and answer questions. The relaxed setting will allow you to gather and socialize after a packed day of learning!
Also on Thursday evening and immediately following the Coordinator Forum Full-Day Course, the annual Coordinator Networking Reception will take place. This reception is open to all institutional and program coordinators and provides a wonderful, social opportunity for those looking to connect with others in the coordinator community.
Throughout the conference in the ACGME Hub, located in the Exhibit Hall, ACGME staff members will be available for drop-by consultations. Come by during the Welcoming Reception and Exhibitor Kick-Off on Thursday evening, and at lunch breaks on both Friday and Saturday and speak with ACGME and ACGME International representatives from various departments and initiatives to ask questions and connect.
Informal networking opportunities abound throughout the conference, during and after sessions, in hallways, and at meal and break times. Be sure to take advantage of being at the largest GME gathering in the world!
Bookending the conference with celebratory receptions, be sure to join in for the Toast on the Terrace immediately following the Closing Plenary on Saturday. This annual wrap-up gathering provides everyone at the conference with a special opportunity to reflect on the previous three days, and to celebrate the connections made and mingle with colleagues, new friends and contacts, and ACGME leaders and staff members.
The ACGME Annual Educational Conference is a truly unique place to connect with other GME professionals dedicated to education and collaboration from across the US and around the world. The range of roles represented at the conference each year makes this a great opportunity for attendees to engage and make lasting connections, learn what others are doing, and discover best practices to bring back to their home institutions and programs.
We hope you’ll join us, and look forward to connecting with you in Orlando in March!
Be sure to sign up to be notified when registration opens so you can start planning your conference experience right away!