Come on. Everyone knows the best part of any conference is meeting up with colleagues, mentors, and friends. So here’s how to do it at (or away from) the annual meeting of the American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists in Boston on May 16-20.
No one is immune from the pull of colleagues past, present, and even future, not even the program chair Vin Tangpricha, MD, who gave the lowdown in an interview on the best venues for getting in touch. Dr. Vin Tangpricha
- Thursday Night Chapter Receptions: After the first full day of the meeting, start in the room for your home chapter, then jump to your home state’s chapter, then your training chapter, and so on. This is the easiest and most exciting way at the meeting to connect with your web of colleagues, Dr. Tangpricha suggested enthusiastically. And don’t forget about AACE members from across the globe in the International Chapter Reception, in the biggest (and most fun, by some reports) party room by far. The receptions for all 22 domestic chapters and international members representing 102 countries will be held in the Sheraton Boston Hotel at 6 p.m.
- Wine and Cheese Reception: A Friday night tradition at AACE, from 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. in the exhibit hall, this offers a needed break at the end of the second full day of sessions to chat with colleagues, see exhibits, and check out posters.
- Women’s Luncheon: Thursday from 12 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. on Level C. In its fifth year, this luncheon has practically outgrown the meeting, with women entering endocrinology outpacing men. Good luck getting tickets; it’s always popular, Dr. Tangpricha said.
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- College Breakfast With the Masters: This first-time-ever event welcomes and celebrates all past Masters of the American College of Endocrinology (MACEs). In this free, ticketed event on Saturday morning from 6:30 a.m. to 8 a.m., the largest assembly of MACEs ever gathered in the same room will be introduced to newer AACE fellows, who will then have the opportunity to meet with Masters and gather their insights on how to further their own careers in endocrinology, Dr. Tangpricha said.
- President’s Gala: This ticketed event open to members and family is always a great finale to the meeting, held Saturday night after the convocation, is one Dr. Tangpricha always looks forward to. This family-friendly event features food, libations, and live music.
- Social networking: Stay in touch with attendees and endocrinologists following the events and news from the meeting at #AACE2018, and with a Boston Strong–inspired hashtag of #ClinicalEndoStrong.
